Aibu to suggest alcohol is out of fashion in middle class circles?

[Coffeeandacupcake]

Just an observation, out for dinner with friends last Saturday night. We got taxis in, we always had a booze fest but now my friends have either cut out alcohol completely or stuck to one glass of wine or gin & tonic! Is alcohol going out of fashion in over 40, middle class circles or is it just my friends?

We don't drink unless we are with other people, then we do.

Oh dear.

I don't think I drank much at all before my mid-forties, couldn't afford it!

Not that we drink that much now but yes, we have a friend for whom drink is a problem (more so for his wife).

Motto: Not on school night!

I've also noticed this. Middle aged the most but also younger people. They have in common that they're very health conscious and very active.

I'm glad about the 'trend' as it makes it easier to decline alcohol without being encouraged to have some, or quizzed as to why.

I used to find myself always drinking at work things or any function really where I was socially anxious. Now I like to challenge myself into not drinking and instead riding out the social consequences of have a sober talk to people you have not much in common with. I find the challenge fun.

I've not really noticed myself but am a bit older. Though no harm if it is a trend.

Most people I know drink radically less now.

There was a first phase which was just ‘not getting trashed because we aren’t 22 anymore’.

But now it’s very noticeable that people drink a lot less / won’t go for drinks multiple times a week.

The younger people are the less they drink - I’m amazed by how little my junior colleagues drink!

Not amongst my middle aged friends no. I drink enough to make MN squirm, but I'm a lightweight compared to my friends.

I was away last week with some middle aged friends plus 3 of their adult children (from 3 families). The youngsters drank way less than the "grown ups".

I suspect a lot can’t afford to: when I was a graduate, my best friend and I would go out on a Friday night after work and could buy a bottle of wine at our local nice pub for £10-£12. Nowadays, even the average pub wine starts at £25 a bottle - and salaries haven’t risen commensurately.

Personally I drank very little in my teens, more in my early 20s, less in my 30s and early 40s when I had young DC, more than ever now, in my 50s.

I wouldn’t know, darling.
I don’t move in middle-class circles.

Probably. We are late 30s. I don’t really know anyone our age who drinks alcohol often. If they do have it’s just one glass/ one beer.

Dh and I rarely drink. Occasionally out of its offered we will have small glass. I just don’t really see the point tbh, it’s expensive, not healthy, and I would rather something else. Plus we have young child and have to drive home as no taxis or public transport

I think it varies, I have some friends that barely drink now and it's definitely a response to aging and struggling with the after effects as they get older. Others drink loads, possibly more now kids are getting older and need less attention

Depends who I'm with!
Have cut back lots since pre kids though.
Lots of friends started running bloody marathons in their 40's too. It's quite tedious to be honest 😆

Cringing at you making a suggestion based on your “middle class friends”.

Who refers to themselves like that? Urgh.

I’d say it’s middle age, not middle class! I can’t cope with the two week hangover having more than a sip of wine causes these days - thanks, perimenopause!

I’ve definitely noticed it as a broader trend. Both DH and I have pretty much stopped drinking unless we have an occasional cocktail on holidays. DH has switched to 0% beer and prefers it. We have also noticed the same thing across several groups of friends, with most people bringing 0% alcohol drinks to gatherings. I think it’s been a combination of greater awareness of the health impacts of regular alcohol use, an attempt to live a healthier lifestyle where possible, and reduced social judgement around it. No one bats an eyelid now if you say you have stopped drinking. I think we are all at a stage of life where the demands of work and raising young children are quite intense. Anything that has a negative impact on physical health and wellbeing isn’t desirable at the moment!

All the runners I know do it so that they can carry on drinking without gaining weight in middle age. Some have got very into their marathons and have dry spells leading up to an important race, but runners are some of the biggest drinkers I know except teachers

Drinking a bottle of wine in the middle of a working day, alone to boot, is not out of fashion, that is an alcohol dependency.

Yes, I agree. It's entirely possible to say no to drinking alcohol now than a few years ago and not feel any pressure. It's mostly on health grounds/age/family responsibilities etc (we're early 40s).

I think people do generally drink less now yes and it's more acceptable to say you don't drink too.
People are more aware of the health hazards and drink driving laws are much stricter than they were when we were children.
I have friends who used to drink but don't now because they're older and wiser and have realised they're not a great drinker or that they just don't like alcohol so given that soft drinks are healthier they just stick to them.
I enjoy a glass of wine, cocktail or a G&T but it's a very long time since I would have classed myself as drunk!

Just your friends, people drink like fish here. We go for a walk past our local and the same 20 or so people are there day in day out. That said alcohol free beer and cider is a game changer, people who liked the taste of the drinks but not the alcohol effect are drinking them

Not just in out age bracket but also in my childrens too. They are 18 & 19 one boy one girl and they have each gotten drunk maybe once or twice. He spends his evening and weekends fishing, i know right? His dad and i laughed for ages when we realised he and his friend werent secretly getting drunk while ‘fishing’ but were actually fishing! And she has started her own business at 13 and spends her free time doing that. It astounds us as we were out every noght pretty much and completely wasted evefy weekend but then we were both in the british forces (different ones) when we met at 19 & 20 and had lived independently since we were 16, whereas these two still love at home. Drinking just isn't as fashionable anymore because more is known about the health risks, the costs the decimation of the british pub etc oh and covid also made everyone dislike social situations i think!

But...how will OP feel special then? Announcing and being accepted as MC on Mumsnet is an Olympic sport for some.

I think in the city, you are finding a lot more men really looking after their looks. I think it's all instagram related. So definitely alcohol is out of sorts more now though i think recreational drugs are on the up.

Most of the people i know drink a bit but have jobs where they just cant be hungover. They would rather have one decent glass rather than get hammered with crap wine.