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<p>If everyone around you is in a suit, and you’re not in a suit, you’re dressed inappropriately. </p>
<p>In this day and age with people doing Whole 30 and other Paleo regimens, cleanses etc., not taking a drink doesn’t even raise eyebrows even in the most alcohol-centric gatherings. </p>
<p>Wearing a suit and drinking alcohol are not even in the same universe. </p>
<p>Drinking alcohol can impair you, can cause you to have an accident and kill someone, can negatively interact with other things already inside your body, and can cause you to do all sorts of stupid things.
As far as I am aware, doing a suit does none of those things on any kind of regular basis. </p>
<p>And if wearing professional business clothes is company policy, you’d bet your dollar I’d dress like I’m supposed to. I’ve been there, done that. However, AFAIK, there is no company that mandates you drink alcohol. If anyone notices that you’re not drinking alcohol, they are way too nosy. </p>
<p>“If everyone around you is in a suit, and you’re not in a suit, you’re dressed inappropriately.”</p>
<p>On many occasions, I was the only one in a business meeting NOT dressed in a suit, and I was dressed appropriately. That’s one advantage of being a woman - we have more dressing choices that are considered business-like. </p>
<p>Give me a break. Sipping a glass of wine is not going to kill you. </p>
<p>^^ but why would it bother you so much if I don’t?</p>
<p>Vlad, I’m unsure if you understand business attire for women. If I don’t have to wear a business suit, and I don’t want to wear a business suit, why would I wear a business? I wouldn’t. I can look perfectly appropriate in a blazer and dress or a skirt and blouse. Company dress policy is one thing, but if it’s not required…</p>
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And neither is not drinking. It really shouldn’t matter if people are or are not drinking. </p>
<p>Bay, I didn’t realize that you had a medical degree, too! I’m impressed. 
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<p>I couldn’t care less if you drink or not. I was making a suggestion that might be of value in the business world. </p>
<p>@Bay, my wife and I did quite well in the business world. I don’t drink at business functions. She has not yet retired and continues to do well. Even though she does drink socially, at most she will nurse a beer in a business setting. We’ve seen too many career derailments due to alcohol, even if the person isn’t “drunk.” Very few people are sharper after two drinks than before. Actually, make that nobody is sharper after a drink than before. </p>
<p>Well I have not been advocating getting drunk, have I? I suggested that people who don’t drink due to taste find a wine they can sip at business functions. It’s weird how that idea seemed to offend so many. </p>
<p>On its own, one glass of wine isn’t likely to cause a health problem. However, people who take certain medications cannot drink alcohol. </p>
<p>A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), can be very dangerous to mix with alcohol, and could cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure, leading to a stroke. Certain diabetes medications mandate abstention from alcohol. One should not drink alcohol if taking acetaminophen. </p>
<p>Ok great. A person who doesn’t drink due to medical conditions isn’t a person who doesn’t drink due to taste, and that is precisely who I was addressing. </p>
<p>Why would this apply to drinks only then? Like I said, would it apply to smoking? Drugs? Eating a certain food? Why is drinking alcohol have to be a common denominator??? I think that shows a really shallow business crowd if that’s how you are measuring a person’s worth - personally or professionally! </p>
<p>Wow, no wonder this world is in such a judgemental state of other people…</p>
<p>Bay, sadly, it can - not by itself. Nrdsb addressed it. Sone andepressants taken with a glass of alcohol can result in dizziness and impaired judgement and driving abilities. </p>
<p>I drink wine occasionally. I like good wine. I do not like it just because it has alcohol, so at business functions I may choose to drink club soda or St Pellegrino if I do not like the wines offered. Business functions do not have the choice a restaurant might have, so the suggestion of picking a wine that a person likes and drinking that would not work. </p>
<p>I prefer my beer without or with as little as possible alcohol since I use it as a hydration/recovery drink after running. </p>
<p>abasket,</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of corporate drug sampling events, or business dinners where drugs were served (at least in the legitimate sense of the business world). Your argument is a non-sequiter.</p>
<p>I’m surprised that this topic is still being discussed past the first page. </p>
<p>If you’re in a social setting; drink or don’t, it’s up to you. So long as you’re being responsible and you aren’t putting yourself or anyone else in harm’s way, no one should bat an eyelash. To each his own. </p>
<p>And Bay, I have never heard of a business person stating plain and simple that at a business function, to fit in and be respected you should feel obligated to have an alcoholic drink in your hand. While wearing your suit. </p>
<p>Non-sequiter right back at ya. </p>
<p>No, a basket, I’m sure you haven’t and never will hear that, because it would be politically incorrect. </p>
<p>I don’t really care if you hate my advice. I know what I know and have tried to share it in a respectful way. Feel free to do whatever you want. I won’t hold it against you. </p>
<p>Actually, I doubt many people know or care what others are drinking in business or social settings. I have know many very successful folks who drink little or nothing alcoholic and it hasn’t affected their success. I rarely ever drink, nor does H, but it hasn’t hindered us from mingling and socializing in business and non-business contexts.</p>