<p>Wow, it would never be my first thought that a non drinker was an alcoholic unless they said “I don’t drink anymore,” and even then it could be for a number of other reasons.</p>
<p>Usually when someone says they don’t drink, I assume it is because they don’t want to.</p>
<p>Bay, that’s not really fair. I don’t drink - never have, never will - just no interest in it, either the taste or the effect. I have no intentions of hiding my non-drinking. If people draw conclusions and somehow assume that everyone must drink unless they have a problem, that’s thier problem, not mine - probably not someone whose opinion I would care about anyways.</p>
<p>^ Same. </p>
<p>The older ones in my family are not big on drinking. The men enjoy their beers, but the women don’t really indulge. The younger do drink. Is it a reflection on how we are as people? No. It’s simply something we like or do not like. </p>
<p>Of course there are several reasons why people don’t drink. I didn’t say there weren’t. I was relaying where my mind takes me when at a social event where drinks are served, someone says they don’t drink without an explanation. This actually doesn’t happen very often as most people just say “no thanks” or order soda water. I don’t make assumptions in that case because I do that sometimes too. </p>
<p>Adding, it wouldn’t hurt for people who don’t drink for taste reasons to find a go-to glass of wine they can order in social settings where important connections might be made and everyone is enjoying a cocktail. Similar to learning to play golf wouldn’t hurt for some careers.</p>
<p>^^^ I think that is silly advice. If you don’t drink, you don’t drink! It’s perfectly fine to just have a soda or water. I’ve been in the business world for a long time, and I would never expect someone to “fake” wanting a drink! </p>
<p>I LIKE the taste of beer. I also like cold beer. In my younger days, I worked in a microbrewery. That said, I have between 3-4 drinks a month and can only think of one occasion in the past six months where I had more than two drinks in one night. </p>
<p>I don’t smoke pot, and as I said before, I seldom drink. I don’t recommend smoking pot to my kids, but I do tell them that for every person I’ve known whose life was diminished by pot, I probably know 10-20 whose life was negatively affected by alcohol. That might be because at my age I know more drinkers than pot smokers, but I don’t think so. </p>
<p>If alcohol and tobacco were “discovered” today, I don’t think they’d be legal. </p>
<p>If anyone turns up an eyebrow because I order an ice tea, or has an issue with the fact that I don’t play golf, well, I think that my social and professional life will be just fine without them, thanks. </p>
<p>What percentage of Americans are recovering alcoholics?</p>
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<p>Conversely, this is my first thought and I’d be willing to wager that a notable percentage of those who haven’t had a drink in the past month or past year are recovering alcoholics. </p>
<p>Yes, that’s CRAZY! Are you really going to judge me on a business deal if I have an iced tea in my hand or a cocktail??! </p>
<p>I have no desire to drink. Don’t even drink much in the way of non alcoholic drinks - mostly water, maybe a cup of coffee a few times a week and a very occasional Arnold Palmer in a can. I don’t judge anyone who does drink - as long as they drink smart. </p>
<p>Just as it may be such a part of your world (to drink alcohol) there is another section of the population who’s world and refrigerator is alcohol free - sometimes for no particular reason. The only time you will find a beer in my refrig is if someone brings it to drink or I’m beer battering some fish!!! :)</p>
<p>One really shouldn’t jump to conclusions about why others do not drink.</p>
<p>Anyone who drinks either to forget, to numb himself, or to be more social should steer clear. That’s all I have to say about that. </p>
<p>Yeesh. I don’t drink out at events because 1- I never, ever drive with even a sip of alcohol in my system and 2- I won’t pay for alcohol at restaurants or whatever because they’re a rip off. </p>
<p>If that loses me business or something, I don’t want to be doing business with them anyway. </p>
<p>“Adding, it wouldn’t hurt for people who don’t drink for taste reasons to find a go-to glass of wine they can order in social settings where important connections might be made and everyone is enjoying a cocktail. Similar to learning to play golf wouldn’t hurt for some careers.” </p>
<p>Bay, that’s crazy. </p>
<p>I would rather miss out on the “business connection” than change myself in superficial ways for other people. No thanks. Success at any cost is not the end all, be all.</p>
<p>Why is it crazy? Do you where a suit in a business setting when everyone is wearing suits? If you didn’t like wearing suits, would you wear one anyway? What’s the difference?</p>
<p>There’s a big difference, Bay. I honestly hope you can see that.</p>
<p>Seriously, Bay? </p>
<p>The difference is that wearing a suit actually has a business purpose (nor do I mind wearing suits). The purpose of the suit is to make sure that how you are dressed in a way that is not distracting to other people, so you can focus on the task in hand. It somewhat serves the purpose of a uniform. If my job got a dress code that went against who I am (for example, if I were required to wear a very low-cut top to work), I wouldn’t do that either.</p>
<p>Drinking does not serve an actual business purpose. Drinking is a lot more like learning about a sports team your boss likes when you have no interest in it, JUST so you can talk to him/her about it to score some extra points. I see that as fake. Wouldn’t do that either.</p>
<p>I agree it is similar to sports team knowledge in some settings, but also some jobs include entertaining and socializing with clients, who according to the OP, most likely do drink. </p>
<p>It’s obviously not an overt requirement for business, but again my advice was that it wouldn’t hurt to have a modicum of knowledge about some wine you would be willing to drink. It is so easy that those who refuse seem maybe a bit rigid or righteous, absent medical reasons. </p>
<p>And I am not going to strat drinking, just because someone thinks I have to have a medical reason not to do it (or see me as ridgit). Alcohol does have an effect on people - it’s not something I want for myself, so that’s that.</p>
<p>I am a vegetarian too (not for health reasons). Not going to start eating meat at a company barbeque.</p>
<p>I am not going to give away pieces of myself, of what makes me who I am, just to get ahead in the world. My behavior hurts no one, so if someone chooses to hold it against me, it speaks so much more about them than it does about me.</p>
<p>Ah! Like wearing a suit! Another strike for me - I would not likely be wearing a suit at a business meeting either! </p>