So, what did I learn from my first alcohol-free night out? Usually at this book group, there's plenty of wine, food, gossip as well as talking about books.
I realised that, in fact, I drink way more and faster than nearly anyone else there. On average, they slowly drink maybe 2-3 glasses, then switch to water, or stretch the last wine right out. In the past, I'm first to finish a glass, and waiting impatiently for the next one to be poured. And getting frustrated when everyone else is so slow to drink up. Oh, and I usually would have at least 2 glasses with DH before setting of...
Oh dear it sounds awful when I say it like that. I'm such a greedy drinker. I'm starting to think I should be on the real Dry thread for total abstainers. But we shall see what October brings I guess.
Something I've realised is that lots of people I know talk about being big drinkers... but really, compared to me, they aren't. The friends in this group talk about how much wine they get through, and how it's a wine club, not a book club. But, in all honesty, they don't drink that much at all. Something we talked about upthread was the normalising of drinking, and I think my 'normal' is way out of whack with most people I know. Like, 2-3 glasses of wine? That's just an aperitif before dinner (and more wine), on a 'normal' night for me and DH!
But overall I had a really good time, wine-free, and felt just fine this morning. I was able to get to sleep at a reasonable hour when I got home (usually I'd be awake with buzzing wine-brain for a couple hours), and slept well.
How's everyone else doing when they go out with drinking company?