Reasons for not drinking alcohol

[sonia]

I don't drink alcohol. At all. I used to occasionally have a little, but never liked it much, and then I had an alcoholic girlfriend, which put me right off the stuff for good.

John Scalzi covers his reasons for not drinking in detail, and lots of people in the comments chime in to agree. Some of it applies to me, some of it doesn't, but I'm so glad he said it and people are talking about non-drinkers.

Comments

[jesse_the_k]

My parents served me watered wine when I was four, and I got my own glass at the table when I was 13. Did enough drinking between 13 and 25 to eliminate the need for any since.

Still, every time I sat at my parents' table they set a wine glass for me and MyGuy (he'll drink one beer every 5 weeks).

I've explained why I don't drink so many times it makes me thirsty. Water?

[sonia]

Setting wine glasses sounds annoyingly disrespectful, or at least clueless. People who drink seem to have a reflexive defensive reaction to the choice not to drink.

My parents didn't serve me alcohol per se, but I wasn't discouraged from having it either. The most I've ever had is a whole glass of champagne at a new year's gathering of theirs when I was a teen. I didn't like how out of control I felt.

[jesse_the_k]

Yes, a "reflexive defensive action" is exactly it.

As it happens, champagne can make a person more drunk faster than almost anything else; I can recall that "which planet is this?" feeling with dread.

You, me, Scalzi: great complany and we can spend the many monies saved on food!

[suncat]

On those rare occasions where I host a dinner party, I do put out wine glasses for everyone. Along with the explicit statement that they are to be filled with whatever each person wants, even if it's just water. I do drink alcohol, but I also try to have a good variety of beverages for my guests. I also try to have a variety of hot beverages--coffee, tea, whatever. That's being a proper hostess. Dictating that a guest has to drink alcohol is incredibly rude and disrespectful.

My parents allowed me to taste wine when I was a teenager, but certainly never forced any on me. They never abused alcohol. I was allowed to develop my own taste in drinks after I left their home.

[sonia]

Sounds like you're taking good care of your guests!