Is it just me, or is it normal that an entire room goes quiet when you say (quietly mind you) to someone offering you beer/wine/vodka/something else that you don't drink?

And is it also normal for your friends (well, in my case, people who’re not acquaintances, not school buddies and certainly not close friends) to have LOUD conversations about how "amazing it is that you don't drink" and that "it must take a lot", well, for me, no, it doesn't. Though it does get awkward when you yell it out like that, I'm not ashamed of not drinking but I really don't want everyone to look at me like I'm a nutcase...

That's probably why I choose my party invitations wisely, and ask around to see who's going, because it sucks when you're the only person there who doesn't drink... And it doesn't get any better when they start playing "I have never" and insist that you "drink just this once".

I went to a friend's birthday party yesterday and all evening I heard things very similar to that above, that and people made a big fuss when I was going to get some soda... Really people, that's just immature, I don't judge anyone who drink, smoke or has sex in various places, yet, I'm supposed to be the subject of the conversation for a no less than one hour and fifty-six minutes (yes, I counted)?

It’s not only tiring, but it hurts me, especially when some of the people doing this are close friends of mine. I’ve known them long enough to know it’s not done on purpose, by them anyhow, but I really do wish they didn’t have to be so… loud all the time… (I do love them to itty bitty pieces, however when it comes to stuff like this, they’re sometimes veery stupid)

At bigger parties I usually end up buying a beer, not drinking it, just buying it, to make people leave me the h*** alone. I’ve started to stop going to parties because that’s what usually happens, and I really hate it, because often I get to see people I haven’t talked to in awhile at these parties and it sucks to give that up.

I’ve had one idiot of a friend who threatened to pour a bottle down my throat, suffice to say I haven’t talked to him since. Perhaps it’s just the crowd I hang out with, because I know peer pressure is all the range there. Someone’s doing cannabis? Well, you bet the rest of the people belonging to said crowd is doing it too. Far worse is that this “crowd” is supposed to consists of individuals that are well, individual, and that don’t succumb to peer pressure…

I don’t want to seem prudish, because I’m not, heck, I’m open to most people and most things, but sometimes I wish I had a long roll duct tape so I could tape the mouths of my friends/other people who feel like being loud about EVERYTHING closed or a ton of socks to stuff into their mouths.


Sorry if this makes little sense, it's late and I'm somewhat mad at another friend of mine, I just needed to vent/rant -_-

I hear you.

I'm under 21, but I will have my birthday shortly. When I go to parties and say that I don't want to drink, people look at me blankly like "but I was drinking when I was sixteen."

Yeah, well, when they were sixteen, they didn't have such tight laws about driving home afterwards. I may be turning 21 shortly, but I don't want to be pulled over for an underaged DUI. (Which, to my knowledge, requires less alcohol in the bloodstream than a normal DUI does.) Humph!

I don't drink at all. Drinking freaks me out. But my friends are pretty good about it. But I can't go to any parties or anything because I go crazy.

You fear drinking? Or just don't like it?

Ugh, I sympathize with you. Why is it such a weird thing if you chose not to drink? I'm still underage, so of course I won't be drinking right now. I've had friends who've known me since middle school give me funny looks and comments when I remind them I don't drink. Um, yeah, wouldn't they know that about me by now? Just because we're in college doesn't mean we've gotta turn into party animals.

Even when I am 21, I probably won't be drinking. My alcoholic grandmother has pretty much turned me off to the whole drinking thing. Having your g-ma call you at noon totally wasted or show up on your doorstep in the middle of dinner totally smashed can do that to you. I know you don't have to get drunk while drinking, but still. Besides, who wants to drink something that is supposed to taste like piss and is full of empty calories? No thanks, I think I'd enjoy chocolate more.

I am a drinker, I'm nearly 21 - perfectly legal here. We're legal at 18.

However, I was the only sober adult at my own eighteenth birthday party, because I just didn't want to drink. I wanted to relax and enjoy my day without having to worry about waking up and throwing my guts up, and yeah - I couldn't see any point in it.

I didn't actually start drinking until I hit university, so before that I had all the 'Lil doesn't drink' things. I used to order plain raspberry softdrink, and claim it had vodka in it to shut people up.

It kinda scares me that underage drivers are allowed to have any alcohol in the bloodstream at all...

I'm not sure, but I don't think they can have any. Maybe a very very very tiny amount.

In New Zealand, the amount of alcohol in one drink (not sure which. One standard drink?) is enough to put you over the limit. So ha!

I don't...fear it, as such. I just have problems with it. Not myself but others. So at my eighteenth birthday I'll probably have an alcohol-free party because otherwise I'd totally go crazy having my friends drinking. It's bad enough adults drinking around me.

I don't get that 'ohhh Emma doesn't drink' thing though because only about three of my friends drink. And none of them think it's normal to be drinking a lot. So none of them hassle me about them -hugs friends-

As a brewer, I have to defend my craft. Dark beers (a la Guinness) have the same heart-healthy antioxidants as red wine. In moderation, it has a similar effect as aspirin when it comes to preventing clots and heart attacks. A homebrewed stout would be even better since it would have yeast cells in suspension--tons of vitamin B. I also believe that it has fewer calories than the average, garden variety dishwater brew.

Brilliant!

At the risk of sounding like a butthole, I've actually had my fair share of bad experiences with non-drinkers who feel like they needed to be accommodated. Now, if you're a friend of mine, I'll respect you enough to not drink in your home. If we're out, I'll have one drink, maybe two, but not enough to where I can feel anything. But if we're at a party, at someone else's home, and you're whining and being a wet blanket because you're having a terrible time because nobody else is drinking. I can understand not wanting to be around drunks, it drives me up the wall when you complain about it instead of trying to enjoy yourself anyway or doing something about it and leaving.

I've also known a handful of non-drinkers try to convert me, and they were all very rude about it. Keep in mind that none of these people have ever seen me when I was anything but dead sober. I've had someone ask (VERY rudely mind you) "Why do you drink? I don't get why anyone would ever want to." To which I replied, "Um, I like beer?" Though, I wish I could have thought of something more caustic and witty. I've also had someone (who's only seen me sober) say that I should stay clean.

Then you also get people who think they're better for being above some kind of horrible vice, and the kind that blather on and on about how wonderful it is to be pure and unadulterated, and you never hear them talk about anything else.

Now, I don't think all non-drinkers are like that. Some my best friends are totally substance free. The point of all that was sort of to play devil's advocate and point out that anybody can be obnoxious when it comes to trying to lure people to their side. Obnoxious people are obnoxious anyway.

Hate the person, not the habit.

It's lovely to find another beer snob. <3 I'm trying to learn how to brew my own wheats (Belgian-style are my favorites), but the climate here is making it very challenging for me. XD

Those of you who are down on beer because it tastes like piss: ... man are you ever drinking the wrong beer.

Here are two helpful secrets I will share with you to help you live a longer and happier life:

1) 'I hate beer because it tastes like piss' is basically the same thing as saying 'I hate food because it tastes like poo.' 'Beer' is not a single beverage. Ale, lager, stout, porter, lambic -- every style is different. Every year of every fermentation of every brewery's take on every style is different, and the combinations are infinite. Hate hops? Avoid pale beers. Hate barley? Avoid brown beers. Hate malt? Avoid dark beers. And on and on and on and on and on.

2) It is possible to enjoy an alcoholic beverage without getting falling-down drunk. I know that this is shocking, but I promise you it's true. It's also possible for adults to make their own decisions on what they want to drink without pressuring or being pressured by anyone else around them. Try being forthright and responsible for your own actions; it may help you in the long run.

I don't drink either, not because it's alcohol, but because I really don't like the taste. I've tried a few times beer, whiskey, champaign... I simply do not like the taste. I like sweet thinks, like liquors and such, but in moderation. I have absolutely nothing against people who drink alcohol as long as they know their limits. I have four best friends and whenever we go out, they always order beer and I order some type of juice or soda or whatever. It's never made me feel uncomfortable, above or below anyone. It's simply me, my taste and my choice.

In my family neither of my parents drink. I am addicted to coffee though... I could drink coffee all day long... I don't, but I could... (tongue)

I admire people who drink within their limits and know how to have fun without throwing up all their insides and I've heard how good a glass of red wine a day can be when it comes to health. I don't understand why anyone would frown or make a big deal just because someone doesn't drink alcohol. It's like making a big deal just because someone doesn't like a certain color. No one has openly "frowned" for not drinking and I couldn't care less even if they did. So, yeah, these are my two cents...

I don't drink, but yeah.. I'm only fifteen so I still have three years before I legally can.
Saying that, isn't it legal to drink under eighteen.. just not to buy alcohol?

Anyway, the mostI have had in my life is a sip of my mother's vodka and lemonade.. Whereas some of the girls have tried pretty much everything under the sun.
In my school everyone is pretty accepting though, so they don't really care what you door don't do.

The only thing I get pressured for is dancing at parties. I hate dancing, totally hate it, I feel like an idiot, and the only reason I will go to a party is if it's someone's birthday and I want to celebrate it with them, otherwise I avoid parties with a vengeance. But whenever I go, you can guarantee that at least three people will grab me by the hand, drag me up, and not let me go for about five minutes, before realising I'd rather sit on the site and chat with whoever sits there.

I mean, it's kind of nice for them not to want me bored. But I'd rather be bored than going anywhere near anything to do with sports.

People are also shocked when they find out I've never kissed anyone. I've never even had a crush on someone ((this shocks them more)). But yeah, I'm a late developer I guess, my mother didn't fancy anyone until she was sixteen, and my dad was never in a proper relationship with a girl until he started dating my mother ((he was thirty two)). So it looks like I'm going that way too. Hopefully I'll just be a little late, like my mother, rather than when I'm thirty odd, like my dad and my brother.

I hate beer because it tastes like piss. :p Couldn't resist. I don't. I think beer is one of the better tasting alcoholic beverages simply because it doesn't taste as much like alcohol as other drinks. I HATE alcohol so much. Once, when I was at a wedding I was really bored so my cousin and I decided to have a drinking competition (this was before I started to freak out) and I couldn't even get through half a wine glass of wine. It's so horrible I nearly threw up.

That's my reasoning for not liking beer ^_^

And I don't think you were talking to me, beta, but I don't whine or complain I just go crazy and go by myself and start crying. -nod-

I don't like it when anyone gets wasted and hammered out of their skulls; whether they're a teenager not isn't the issue, IMO, though of course it'd be better if you were over 21. XD

My parents are pretty strict about things, so even if I didn't hang out with a clean group of people, it'd probably prove difficult to be a "social drinker" or something like that. I don't consider myself a prude or anything... I just don't have the friends that invite me to parties with kegs; essentially, the opportunity has never arose, and at this point, I think I have a good enough head on my shoulders not to get wasted the first chance I got. XD

So, no, not weird of you to stay sober. It's just uncommon in this day and age, I suppose. <3

i wasn't talking about anyone in specific, just general annoyances. Yep yep yep.

Another thing that I've just thought of is how tired I am of people thinking that drinking or not drinking or whatever it is they do makes them more special/different/cool/mature. Those kinds of people should really get over themselves. Nobody thinks you're awesome just because you've vowed never to touch alcohol, and nobody thinks your thinks your awesome because you can drink a Siberian tiger under the table.

^ I agree with this so much. I have close friends who drink nearly every weekend, at parties and such; I hate it when people say people (especially teenagers) who drink are stupid or somehow less worthy of your respect. Just because you don't drink doesn't make you any more "superior," and vice versa.

Wine is another one that does not ever, EVER taste the same from variant to variant. Ditto 'all alcohol' or 'all liquor' or whatever.

Seriously, disliking something based on personal preference? Hey, that's totally fine. But it's not a beer-enjoyer's fault that your palate can't differentiate. XD

Wow, lots of replies here, heck, my head is spinning a little... Anyhow...

Same here, some of my friends have already turned 18 and many will be 18 before summer comes, although as far as I know about the law in Norway it’s just the buying that illeagal, not drinking. At least that’s how it is with smoking because there are several people below 18 that smoke outside the school and the teachers don’t do anything about it. So here at least it’s just illegal to buy if you’re under 18 (although it’s 21 for certain beverages)

Oh no, I can understand that, in fact I’ve got friends that drink who say the same. Personally I won’t mind if you drink in my home, as long as you don’t get incredibly drunk. Likewise if I go out with someone I don’t mind if they have some drinks, heck I went out with a friend yesterday who ordered quite a few, without getting drunk and I’ve got no problem with that. As for parties, well, as far as I’m concerned it’s your body and you’re the one who’ve got to get home afterwards so feel free to get incredibly drunk if you want, I’ll just do one of the things you suggested; leave you alone and find someone else to be with or excuse myself and leave, which I usually do earlier than most anyhow. Generally I’ll be leaving long before anyone gets drunk because I really don’t want to deal with people when they’re drunk (and lucky me, most of my friends are rather terrible, one way or another, when drunk -_-)

You leave me alone about why I don’t drink and I won’t bother you as to why you drink, it’s your decision to drink just as it was mine to not drink. I can respect anyone’s choices, without commenting, even if I do not fully agree.

Oh I’m perfectly aware of that, I don’t expect my dad or my uncle to fall into a heap after a beer, or five for that matter. As I’ve said, I’ve got no problem with my friends drinking around me, casually mind you, as long as they don’t get drunk. At parties I’ll leave them be once they start getting a wee bit drunk for my taste.

I know what you mean, I’ve tasted my fair share of alcoholic beverages, different kinds of wine, beer etc. etc. so I know what’s out there, thing is, I’ve got really sensitive taste buds and the taste of alcohol tastes awful to me regardless of how little of it is in the drink. Though that’s not the reason why I don’t drink, its part of it though, I don’t drink tea or coffee either, don’t see the point of drinking something I clearly do not like.

I too admire people who know their limits, I admire them even more when they don't react when I tell them I don't drink.

I completely agree with you, I don't think I'm awesome for not drinking, I just think that I'm being true to myself, and that, is more than enough for me. People who are awesome to me are not awesome depending on whether or not they drink, it might actually be something along the lines of just being truthful that makes them awesome *Shrug*

Oh and sorry for the intensive quoting, I've been writing this reply on and off since people started repling so it's a bit jumbled... Anyhow, I'm going to shut up and bask in the awesomeness that is my non-drinking and new haircut XD (and that by the way, was not by any circumstance to be taken seriously :p )

My parents are both wine connoisseurs, so I've been drinking for as long as I remember. I'm a wine person myself, especially red, but I don't mind a good dark beer either or white wine either.

Really though, if you're talking about your typical frat party, everyone drinks simply because it's a quick way to get smashed and makes everyone look more attractive. Obviously people who are there and claim that they "don't drink" are going to get looked at funny, because it becomes a question of, "why are you even here?"

The smarter response would just be to politely refuse that particular drink. Don't talk about how you never drank in your life, or how you don't like the taste, or how you don't drink for whatever reason. They're at the party to have fun, not so they can hear about the evils of drinking or why you're morally against getting drunk. Leave the party-pooping at home.

Seriously, disliking something based on personal preference? - Isn't that the only sane way to dislike something? I don't dislike things because they're uncool or anything :p

I can't taste what different wines/beers/other things taste like. All I can ever taste is different levels of alcohol. I prefer (common) beer to wine because the flavour of alcohol isn't so strong. I wouldn't have a problem if they were non-alcoholic because it's the flavour of alcohol (or is it a flavour that the alcohol causes? I forget) which gets me, which means my palate doesn't even get close to being able to differentiate.

I, like Vildea, also don't like tea or coffee XD

Just FYI: a glass of alcohol is:

1 oz hard liquor (1 shot)
4 oz wine (1 glass--depending upon size*)
12 oz beer (1 bottle)

*Depending on the type of wine, the glass size and the amount in it will vary. Generally you get less dessert wine than dinner/table wine because it's sweeter. It's also a lot more expensive because it's harder to make.