Me: Thanks, But I Don't Drink Alcohol..."
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
Me: Thanks, But I Don't Drink Alcohol..."
I used to envy those people who could casually and confidentally state "Thanks, but I don't drink alcohol." There was something so self-possessed and classy about people who could say that. I always thought to myself, "Well LA dee freakin' DAH for you."
Now, that's me. I order a virgin cocktail at dinner with friends. Or in someone's home if my host asks me if I'd care for a glass of wine, I say "Actually, do you happen to have a diet soda?" Nobody thinks a thing of it. No explanation required; most people consider diet soda a perfectly normal choice of beverage. Go figure!
But recently, a gentleman asked me on a cocktail/movie date and it felt appropriate to let him know that cocktails are not my cup of tea. It felt great to say, "I don't drink alcohol, but you can count me in for the movie."
I felt better about myself than I have in decades!!! I mean, it was AWESOME!!!!!
It was poise, self-possession, self-respect, and intentionality. Good, good stuff!!!!
Now, that's me. I order a virgin cocktail at dinner with friends. Or in someone's home if my host asks me if I'd care for a glass of wine, I say "Actually, do you happen to have a diet soda?" Nobody thinks a thing of it. No explanation required; most people consider diet soda a perfectly normal choice of beverage. Go figure!
But recently, a gentleman asked me on a cocktail/movie date and it felt appropriate to let him know that cocktails are not my cup of tea. It felt great to say, "I don't drink alcohol, but you can count me in for the movie."
I felt better about myself than I have in decades!!! I mean, it was AWESOME!!!!!
It was poise, self-possession, self-respect, and intentionality. Good, good stuff!!!!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
right on!!
I didn't used to envy 'those people'. I used to look down on them. I used to feel uncomfortable around them. I used to think something must be 'wrong' with them.
Funny.... now I realize that is was because of my own discomfort and my own inner recognition that my drinking was the thing that was wrong... my drinking was what I was really looking down on.... what was really responsible for my discomfort.
Nowadays, I too am proud and comfortable saying "I don't drink alcohol".... and when I find others doing the same, I am grateful and filled with respect for them.
I didn't used to envy 'those people'. I used to look down on them. I used to feel uncomfortable around them. I used to think something must be 'wrong' with them.
Funny.... now I realize that is was because of my own discomfort and my own inner recognition that my drinking was the thing that was wrong... my drinking was what I was really looking down on.... what was really responsible for my discomfort.
Nowadays, I too am proud and comfortable saying "I don't drink alcohol".... and when I find others doing the same, I am grateful and filled with respect for them.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 359
It is great!
I've become rather pre-emptive with it myself. When I meet new people and hit it off to where they invite me out I pop out with "great but I don't drink" to go ahead and head it off at the pass.
Some ladies from school invited me out and responded to my "I don't drink" with "just because you're in a bar doesn't mean you have to drink"
Just because y'all insist on going to an establishment meant for alcohol does not mean I am under any obligation to attend.
I've become rather pre-emptive with it myself. When I meet new people and hit it off to where they invite me out I pop out with "great but I don't drink" to go ahead and head it off at the pass.
Some ladies from school invited me out and responded to my "I don't drink" with "just because you're in a bar doesn't mean you have to drink"
Just because y'all insist on going to an establishment meant for alcohol does not mean I am under any obligation to attend.
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
Originally Posted by TrulyMe 
Nice job! I haven't been able to get there yet. I've just been avoiding situations with booze. I'm looking forward to when I can do that though.
SIS.......my favorite SR poster!
SIS.......my favorite SR poster!
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