Nice one, Hodd.
Your post reminded me of a friend's birthday party I attended when I was drinking. My friend was trying to set me up with a colleague of hers. He was training for a triathlon and he drank one beer, and left early! I remember thinking he was lovely to look at (well, actually he was fit and FIT!) but how could I ever consider someone who would only have one drink at a party?
I ended up chatting to a couple - the guy was totally blotto and rude to me, and his wife was so embarrassed. I let it slide because I knew he was drunk, and although I was drinking too, I was not a belligerent drinker. My friend, the hostess, later told me he was an important client of hers and she was grateful I was so gracious about it.
The whole scene was messy and awful. And yet I considered it kind of normal. I'd never put up with it today. I'd go for an hour for my friend, and leave early - like the triathlete, but without the one beer.