Good excuses to give for NOT drinking

Commotion Ocean

A while back, we had our work Christmas party. I didn't fancy a hangover or making a tit of myself so I planned to drive in.

When I told some of my co-workers about this, they were shocked and appalled, as if I had just turned down a million pounds jackpot.

When I arrived, I had a welcome glass of champagne, but refused anything else as I was driving. Some people, even after telling them I didn't want drink as my car was outside, insisted I drank, told me to "ditch" the car in the guest car park get a taxi back home and drive my car home tomorrow.

I felt horrendously guilty after refusing a drink that they had bought me (even though they bought it after I clearly told them I wasn't taking alcohol).

What excuse can I give to people that they'll believe or should I just tell them to fuck off if they insist?

I'm male and 25 btw, pregnancy is no excuse :P Antibiotics is the oldest excuse in the book btw :P

that you dont want to drink

obviously

Tigger

The antibiotics

Academic

Doctor's orders. Seriously.

Don't claim any particular condition; unless they're really rude they won't ask.

Miss Demeanour

Antibiotics.

bazz26

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqkaa0cc7Z1r25534o1_500.gif

s4uv3

"You live your life, and I'll live mine"

You can say it with a smile and be friendly about it, but it usually gets the point across fairly quickly

pickarooney

Rampant alcoholism

K.Flyer

Just say;
".. I've given it up, ages ago, but I'm still able to have a great time."

van_beano

How about "I have to work with ye shower of fuks every day of the week, I don't want to use up valuable drinking time with ye as well".

I use it all the time and I actually mean it, no one takes me seriously.

The Princess Bride

Who needs an excuse?
If they wanna waste their money buying you a drink simply because they didn't listen when you said " No thank you", well so be it.

The day will come when you won't worry what they'll say.

Thespoofer

In Mother Russia, alcohol drink you.

Skommando

Tell them you've taken a short term pledge with the pioneers total abstinence association.

http://www.pioneerassociation.ie/short-term-pledge.

Senna

Judge ordered I'm to abstain from alcohol, after the *cough* incident

Train Dragon

Tell them you're training for an Iron Man or a 10k. I havent drank in 6 months and the latter is my actual real excuse.

If that doesnt get them off your back then tell them to feck off.

longshanks

It's a party where everyone is going to be drinking. If you know this is the situation and you're not going to drink, why turn up?

pablo128

Ah for fcuk sake just tell them you're a Muslim.

andekwarhola

'I've a bit of a drink problem and tend to batter people that offer me drinks'

VeVeX

You're trying to cure an acute case of gout? It'll probably make for a good icebreaker conversation too, win-win.

Pinch Flat

Tell them that the drink exacerbates your phychosis and that you had to leave your last company after battering the boss.

MadYaker

Tell them you had a massive alcohol and drug problem a few years ago. Your wife and family abandoned you and you nearly died of a heroin overdose in a back alley somewhere and it subsequently took you years to get clean and you're fcked if you're going to throw your life away for a few drinks at the xmas party. That usually shuts them up.

bazz26

longshanks wrote: »

It's a party where everyone is going to be drinking. If you know this is the situation and you're not going to drink, why turn up?

So what you're saying is that pissheads should only really turn up?

Tsipras

People don't care, it's only in your head if you think they do. I've seen both sides - I've been off the drink thinking people would be bothered but nobody cares - and I've had friends off the drink and been out with them I couldn't care less

Academic

Miss Demeanour wrote: »

Antibiotics.

Problem here is they'll think you have something contagious, which can put a damper on the old social life, if you get my drift ...

Joe Hill

You just don't fancy a drink simple as that.

ben.schlomo

You don't need an excuse, just stick to your guns.

Grayditch

Tell them that it's just that you get a bit handsy...

Then make international diddy squish signal.

endacl

Learn the following phrase, and use as required. Works every time:

"No thanks"

If someone buys drinks for you anyway, that's on them. You've no need to feel guilty because someone decides to ignore what you've told them..

No thanks, I'm not drinking - or to be really unequivocal just tell them you don't drink and don't apologise for it.

maudgonner

Anyone who gives you stick over it is an idiot. If you don't want to drink, don't drink. Most people wont care, some will but more fool them.

should I just tell them to fuck off if they insist?

Yes, you should. Politely at first, but firmly if they persist. And don't feel guilty if they waste their money buying you drink, that's their fault.

"I'm MASSIVELY pregnant."

maudgonner

Deleted User wrote: »

"I'm MASSIVELY pregnant."

And surprise! You're the father/mother (as appropriate).

Fr_Dougal

Tell them you can't go because you have to burn their house down.

ChikiChiki

dfeo wrote: »

A while back, we had our work Christmas party. I didn't fancy a hangover or making a tit of myself so I planned to drive in.

When I told some of my co-workers about this, they were shocked and appalled, as if I had just turned down a million pounds jackpot.

When I arrived, I had a welcome glass of champagne, but refused anything else as I was driving. Some people, even after telling them I didn't want drink as my car was outside, insisted I drank, told me to "ditch" the car in the guest car park get a taxi back home and drive my car home tomorrow.

I felt horrendously guilty after refusing a drink that they had bought me (even though they bought it after I clearly told them I wasn't taking alcohol).

What excuse can I give to people that they'll believe or should I just tell them to fuck off if they insist?

I'm male and 25 btw, pregnancy is no excuse :P Antibiotics is the oldest excuse in the book btw :P

This mindset is bed into our culture. The way some people go on when you tell them your not drinking you would swear you shot their mother.

feargale

dfeo wrote: »

What excuse can I give to people that they'll believe or should I just tell them to fuck off if they insist?

Tell those stupid a$$oles to give you the money instead.

I find that shuts them up fast.

Flex

I enjoy drinking, whether at the end of the working week or mid-week to chill and enjoy a movie at home, or for whatever reason/occasion, but anyone who puts pressure on a person to drink that doesnt want to for any reason whatsoever is an asshole and should be ignored. Ive had plenty of occasions out with friends who where drinking when I simply didnt want to for no other reason than I didnt fancy a drink at the time and that was fine for me!

Mr. CooL ICE

Tell them you are a pioneer and ask if they'd like to hear the word of our lord and saviour

Train Dragon

Train Dragon wrote: »

Tell them you're training for an Iron Man or a 10k. I havent drank in 6 months and the latter is my actual real excuse.

If that doesnt get them off your back then tell them to feck off.

Because no one would believe anyone would go off drink to train for a 10km, unless they were Mo Farah!

ASoberThought

Give them the truth always and stand your ground. Tell them to feck off if they try force it.

Sunflower 27

I've had a problem with it, so I don't drink anymore.

Guarantee most people won't push you to drink again if you say that.

Andy-Pandy

Tell them it was either drink or cocaine and as your driving you decided it was safer just to stay on the bag.

bee06

People are such dopes about people not drinking! It drives me crazy. I gave up drinking about 9 months ago and have gotten asked if I'm pregnant multiple times since ... how is that appropriate!

I just say I couldn't take the hangovers anymore. And then stick to my guns when they try to "offer" me a drink. Polite smile and maintain eye contact while refusing until they are super uncomfortable.

suicide_circus

Allah forbids the juice of the grape or the grain.

The J Stands for Jay

I was running with scissors and fell and severed all the nerves associated with drinking.

lisasimpson

The last two christmas parties ive gone to i havent drank. Didnt go this year one of the reason was the whole comments on not drinking. Id have the odd drink like a glass of wine when eating out but hate the whole getting hammrered crack. When i said it at work a few people looked me...i was honest with them i told them its not the non drinking ruins my night its he constant comments over not drinking ruins he night and peoples immature attitudes towards it

RobertKK

If they don't like the truth, then they have a problem, not you.
I grew up in a family where both my parents never drank alcohol, but always preached about moderation, and that was for everything.
Be yourself and don't let others think they can influence you to do something you don't want to do.
If people don't want to accept what you tell them, then tough.

hatrickpatrick

Why has everyone become so obsessed with others' drinking habits this year? Not to sound tinfoil hattish, but I have a sneaking suspicion that all the anti-alcohol propaganda being put out by the media ahead of the planned introduction of minimum pricing is fuelling this ridiculousness. You don't have to give an excuse for not drinking just as you don't have to give an excuse for getting locked, what you have to do is tell busybodies to f*ck off and stick their heads in a pig.

suicide_circus

The thing about work parties is....Youre out socialising with people you don't know or don't like, solution? get hammered. Those who remain sober will then have the gossip on the drunken antics of the others. Fear and paranoia set in. Elaborate murder plots begin to form. Before you know if you've stolen your dead colleagues identity and are on the run.

The flying mouse

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Why has everyone become so obsessed with others' drinking habits this year? Not to sound tinfoil hattish, but I have a sneaking suspicion that all the anti-alcohol propaganda being put out by the media ahead of the planned introduction of minimum pricing is fuelling this ridiculousness. You don't have to give an excuse for not drinking just as you don't have to give an excuse for getting locked, what you have to do is tell busybodies to f*ck off and stick their heads in a pig.

:D

Wanderer78

Wtf is wrong with some Irish people! It's ok not to drink or not to want to drink! People who don't drink or don't want to drink are not weirdos, you are! Jebus Ireland, get over yourself. Happy Christmas op

DEFTLEFTHAND

Ah sure it's dreadful in this country. Called into the local to say a few hellos on Friday night and turned down drink when it was offered. They used a homophobic slur on me and forced a pint into my hands.