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<p>It is bizarre to me that people feel they can’t socialize for some reason without drinking, or that ethanol is some magic elixir for the business world. This sounds like some throwback to the 1960s. What is so hard about “navigating” at bars and nightclubs and parties without booze? </p>
<p>Hugh Hefner drinks Diet Pepsi, I think he hardly ever drinks alcohol. I don’t think he ever had trouble fitting in on the social scene.</p>
<p>If you feel like having a couple cocktails and you enjoy it, have at it. If you can perform better with ten Long Island Ice Teas, that’s your business too. But if you can’t socialize properly without belting down a few, that’s pretty sad. If you just feel like you need to hold a glass in your hand, that’s equally sad to me, but you can always guzzle a few Arnold Palmers. </p>
<p>BTW - I’m technically not in sales or business, although I’ve done a good deal of what I call “technical liaison” type work in my last two positions -currently domestically but in my former position internationally. Yes, I’ve been expected to socialize, which in most cases involved going out to dinner with some people. Nobody batted an eye when I didn’t drink. </p>
<p>Maybe they looked at me a little askance when I begged off the karioke or gentlemen’s club later in the evening. I don’t recall. But I did fine in my career as far as I can tell.</p>
<p>To me, since I stopped drinking, it’s sure a lot safer and easier than always worrying if I’m under the legal limit or finding alternate transportation home.</p>