Avoidance of alcohol fueled social settings??

LegacyUser

Basically.

Whenever a social situation arises, for example, with a group of people I'm not 100% familiar (people from college or work) that involves alot of alcohol consumption I completely go into lock down mode and come up with some way of avoiding that situation.

The thing is, if it was the same people doing any other sort of social thing besides drinking and clubbing, I'd be all up for it!

I do drink however, rarely enough and usually in a fairly relaxed setting (a gig, quiet pub) and its generally with friends I trust and feel relaxed around. Im of an easygoing nature and can't hack the madness of a "night out" and all that.

I just hate the whole thing of going into town just to get sh*tfaced.

I can't pinpoint what makes me go on the defense. I think it's knowing that Im not into the whole clubbing scene and if I did go out with certain people I would be dragging them down from what they like doing and also putting myself through turmoil of just being there.

I can't tell whether Im being stupid or whether to accept myself, be proud, and realise thats just the way i am.

I feel bad letting these people down as they in most cases geniuinely want me to attend but they don't know how i see these things.

Can anyone relate to what I mean or am I just a weirdo?

LegacyUser

i can relate. i don't drink at all and i have very little friends because of this! there's a very small percentage of people these days (IMO of course!) that don't drink and don't need it to socialise.

why not join some clubs or learn something new that gets you around people and away from the drinking culture?

or we could start our own non drinking socialising group

Zaph

OP, this forum might be of interest to you

baby and crumble

Hey OP, I'm the exact same as you, can't really stand doing stuff that will likely involve loads of drink. I'm not a big drinker, so I tend to just say "I'm grand thanks" and then invite themout to a specific, non alcohol fuelled thing, like cinema, bowling, that sort of thing. My friends know me at this stage so it's all good. Plus then when I do go out I always have agreat time because it's a bit different than what I usually do, so it's win-win.

I'd say just chill out and realise that you're not into that scene, just like loads of people aren't into the hiking at weekends scene. Life's too short to do something in your spare time that you don't like, if you ask me.

Phobious

Yeah I'm quite the same most of my friends are into drinking when there's nothing else to do and some only go drinking out to parties, neither really interest me.

Its just the culture here and going against it will just alienate yourself. I would suggest trying to join a club or night classes but I have hear they generally end up in the pub!

I think its all about finding the right balance! Going out and getting trashed 3 days a week your going to end up with problems but alienating yourself from your friends by being so defensive against drinking will just leave you alone.

Or you could always emigrate!

Zeouterlimits

As shown, loads of people, including myself relate.
It shouldn't be too hard to find people who feel the same way, college has been great for that.