To be pissed off with gift?

[IDONTDRINK]

I don't drink, never have (except as a teen). It's not for any other reason than I don't like the taste or the effect it has on me. No big deal.

My friends and family are aware that I don't drink yet one of them insists on buying me alcohol for every occasion. It's my birthday today and I received a bottle of prosecco?! WHY???

You wouldn't offer a non-smoker a cigarette or cook a vegetarian a steak dinner so why is this any different?

People are thoughtless basically. My mum got multiple bottles of champagne for her 70th, she hasn't drunk alcohol since 1973 (when I was born!) Thankfully myself and my siblings were happy to oblige in ensuring it didn't go to waste (actually mostly myself and my DD's as my brothers prefer beer).

I would talk to a close friend and be blunt about it

OP I do understand your point of view, especially you being a non drinker, and there seems to be an element of trying to force you to drink rather than mere thoughtlessness which would bother me.

A friend buys me and my adult daughters white wine every birthday. None of us drink it.

I’m really surprised at the amount of people who would say something to the present giver though! Or return it to them, say they’ll donate it in front of the giver, or whatever. I wouldn’t dream of being rude to someone about a gift they’d given me. Not sure if I’m in the minority.

The white wine for example - I would use it for cooking, save it until Christmas for visitors to drink, give or gift to other friends who I know like white wine. But I’d never act ungrateful in front of the person, just the way I am…

I’m really surprised at the amount of people who would say something to the present giver though! Or return it to them, say they’ll donate it in front of the giver, or whatever. I wouldn’t dream of being rude to someone about a gift they’d given me.

Because they have already told the giver several times that they don’t drink and yet the giver continuously buys them alcohol. That is more rude imo than returning a gift the giver knows is something the receiver doesn’t use or want. It is disrespectful. If it were an item that people knew someone was allergic or intolerant to (people can be allergic and intolerant to alcohol too) very few would say that the receiver should just accept it.

@phoenixrosehere
I agree it could be disrespectful, thoughtless, rude and I said it would certainly bother me, especially the forcing someone to drink element (or trying to). But I still wouldn’t be rude back.

I can’t wear non gold earrings as they gunk my ears up. I can’t eat anything with palm oil in which is most chocolate. I’ve been gifted costume jewellery and chocs loads of times. I still wouldn’t dream of commenting on those gifts. The gifters may or may not remember my allergies. Yes maybe thoughtless, but I really wouldn’t comment.

I did agree that there is a strange element to this one of deliberately giving alcohol when it’s clear the person doesn’t drink. Weird to keep trying to get them to drink.

I’d definitely acknowledge it politely so there can be no doubt that they know. Just say like, “thank you so much for the gift, would you perhaps like to have some of it now as I don’t drink”

Two of my young cousins don't drink alcohol, rather exceptional for students. I always make sure I have nice non-alcoholic drinks for them, but they tell me some people really insist on having a "real" drink, even get angry and shout insults. I think those people can't accept your choice if that choice is different from theirs. If you don't conform they don't know how to handle the situation. Maybe you should say something like : thank you for the xxxxx, it will surely come in handy when I have guests who drink alcohol.