Other people that get annoyed when you don't drink

Drakares · 04-07-2015 11:44PM #1

I have experienced this quite a bit.

When out with people in a pub /restaurant and I am not drinking alcohol either because I'm driving or just don't feel like it, there's inevitably at least one person that will proceed to get upset about it.

I'm either "ruining the craic", a "dry ****e", "under the thumb".. And every time the waiter comes by to take orders for a fresh round of drinks, one of the lads will say "No bring him a beer/whisky" or something stupid. Then when I say I'm driving, they're like "just one then".. Ehh No..

Once or twice things have actually gotten really heated where one guy I know told me to leave his house because I didn't feel like making myself sick with drink...

I have talked to other people who have experienced similar things and they always say that the types who need you to be drinking are idiots.. But in a lot of cases for me, they're good friends and intelligent people that just have this childish mentality that I cannot understand.. I mean, what bloody difference does it make what the hell I am drinking?!

Anyone else experienced this?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 04-07-2015 11:46PM

No, but I keep hearing about people who have. It;s sad, really.

A friend of mine once pretended he was a recovering alcoholic in order to get people to **** off. Worked well, apparently, but it realies on people not knowing you.

Sir Osis of Liver. · 04-07-2015 11:47PM

Your friends are alcoholics ya big dryshyte.

RayM · 04-07-2015 11:49PM

Drakares wrote: »

I'm either "ruining the craic", a "dry ****e", "under the thumb"..

People who use phrases like that are invariably idiots.

Tombi! · 04-07-2015 11:54PM

I'd be a big drinker. Met a friend of a friend on a night out. He didn't drink. Didn't say why but he just said he doesn't drink. I took it at face value. Spent the first two hours of the night having to jump in every minute with something along the lines of "who gives a f**k if he's not drinking; his choice to drink or not".

I don't like when people have to have everyone drinking to enjoy themselves having a few drinks. It makes me think they need everyone drinking so they don't feel guilty about their own drinking habits.

Talib Fiasco · 04-07-2015 11:55PM

You have some very weird friends

Mackas_view · 04-07-2015 11:56PM

Get this quite a bit aswell actually but you get used to it I just say it doesn't mix well with my trainin and they usually give over. I avoid pubs when I'm not drinkin because i feel like I'm a black sheep. Constantly being asked why I'm not drinkin. And here I am just me and John Rambo on this fine Saturday night, no stupid question or childish remarks just two men who understand each other. ðŸ˜‚

05-07-2015 12:00AM

I'm not a drinker. If anyone tries to shame or harass me into drinking, I write them off as an idiot. I don't come across it much anymore, but I used to in Uni. It's ridiculous anyone should be cornered into feeling defensive about it.

justchecked · 05-07-2015 12:19AM

Just say doctors orders.

A lot of the time these people are just shooting the sht and lack anything to talk about. Desperate for something to say to make smalltalk they latch onto the not drinking thing. Especially after a few drinks.

annamosullivan · 05-07-2015 12:27AM

@Drakares-Yes, I've experienced the same thing as you. Over the years, I've learnt to stick to my guns, not drink alcohol, yet still socialise madly with others when I'm out to prove that I'm not unsociable, that I don't need alcohol to have a great night. Also have given the "I'm driving/got stuff to do for family" excuse as well. Also have learned to ignore people when they got obnoxious with me over not having alcohol. Never had the experience of the people I'm with ordering alcohol for me, when I didn't want to drink, but then I'm a woman, there may be more pressure for a man to have alcohol on a night out, for all I know. I think that us non-drinkers get grief over not drinking, as we're showing up other people's lifestyle choices or they're not comfortable with anyone else doing things or living differently to them. Would say to stick to your guns.

Shandashey · 05-07-2015 12:32AM

Its worn as a bad of honour by some, others don't pay attention. In this day and age, if you cant go out and make your own choices you've got more going on than you would care to admit X

the_monkey · 05-07-2015 12:33AM

I got it too, it's an Irish thing unfortunately ... I remember when I was in college I used to hang around with these jokers and once in a club when I needed to take a break (cos I just couldn't keep up) when it was my round
I got the other lads coke + vodka/whisky etc .. but just a Coke for myself,
one of the lads suspected, sniffed my drink and went back to the bar and bought a shot of vodka and dumped it in.

Then he gave it back to me and I had to drink it - well not forced but you know to avoid an argument I did.

Needless to say after that night out didn't hang around with them much.

wil · 05-07-2015 12:41AM

Drakares wrote: »

Anyone else experienced this?

More times than I'm the only one can care to remember.

"You're Irish if you're not not drinking coz you're on antibiotics"
so true they made.a key ring, mug and beer mat of it.

Yeah, you can get an attitude of mistrust and dry shiete if youre not knocking back a skinfull. Many people can't begin to understand it might be possible to enjoy a night out without getting ossified

Seems an Irish thing, to a lesser extent in the uk, but quite the opposite in many Mediterranean and other countries. Met many nationalities who had never been drunk until they were brought on the obligatory works pissup while visiting.
At least in England if you said you were driving they'd pay for your mingerals in exchange for a lift home:pac: takes a lot longer for the pressure to ease off here. Had a friend who almost died of liver failure from alcohol, he practically had to have it laminated the amount of times he had to explain his not drinking.

Seeing your boss riding a bike locked to a lamppost, or a locked boss poured into a taxi (not the same boss), etc, etc, if it was USA, they'd be booked in to rehab, but here it's bonding.:rolleyes: My arse.

skittles8710 · 05-07-2015 12:42AM

A lot.

the_syco · 05-07-2015 01:05AM

Drakares wrote: »

Once or twice things have actually gotten really heated where one guy I know told me to leave his house because I didn't feel like making myself sick with drink...

Perhaps it's best you left; he sounds like a prick.

boobar · 05-07-2015 01:15AM

I have a few friends that are just complete lushes. I try to avoid nights out with them as I'd feel sick as a parrot the next day.

I have been out with them where I tell them that I've had enough...and then it just turns into a battle of wills....

Go on, have another...
No thanks
You will
No thanks
You will
No thanks
You will
F&ck off, I said no
What's your problem,?

I much rather enjoy a few decent drinks like one or two nice glasses of wine than get completely mangled.

TheLastMohican · 05-07-2015 01:23AM

Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT? I mean drinkers don't hang around in cafes/dry houses.
Personally speaking, I'm not too keen in sharing nights out with people that just watch and take in.
And why do non drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?
Why not hang with people of ye'r own ilk?Is it because the craic is better with drinkers.
PC heads, please don't reply with a load of pathetic guff

TheLastMohican · 05-07-2015 01:25AM

boobar wrote: »

I have a few friends that are just complete lushes. I try to avoid nights out with them as I'd feel I'll the next day.

I have been out with them where I tell them that I've had enough...and then it just turns into a battle of wills....

Go on, have another...
No thanks
You will
No thanks
You will
No thanks
You will
F&ck off, I said no
What's your problem,?

I much rather enjoy a few decent drinks like one or two nice glasses of wine than get completely mangled.

OK, whatever floats your boat. But why not hang with friends of similar outlook?

Tombi! · 05-07-2015 01:27AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT? I mean drinkers don't hang around in cafes/dry houses.
Personally speaking, I'm not too keen in sharing nights out with people that just watch and take in.
And why do non drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?
Why not hang with people of ye'r own ilk?Is it because the craic is better with drinkers.
PC heads, please don't reply with a load of pathetic guff

You don't need to be a drinker to actually enjoy a night out.
I've been out a fair few times having 3-4 pints over the course of a night as in from 9-2:30 and gotten the questions about "oh you're not drinking more tonight?"
Main reason is: I've to be up early tomorrow and stuff, I'd rather not be in bits.

Craic isn't better with drinkers. It's not better with non-drinkers either.
It's better with people you like and get on with. Sometimes people just can't handle people not drinking and need them (the non-drinkers) to drink so that they (the people drinking) can have fun.

Whatsisname · 05-07-2015 01:29AM

Happens my friend alot, chose to never drink, for whatever reason, still hasn't touched a drop and he's 21. Always gets people hassling him over it or not taking him seriously when he says he doesnt drink. Even annoys me when people get onto him for it. Fair play to him I say, he's well able to have a laugh without it anyhow.

05-07-2015 01:35AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT? I mean drinkers don't hang around in cafes/dry houses.
Personally speaking, I'm not too keen in sharing nights out with people that just watch and take in.
And why do non drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?
Why not hang with people of ye'r own ilk?Is it because the craic is better with drinkers.
PC heads, please don't reply with a load of pathetic guff

Whew, thought I was alone! Though would never pressurise someone to drink...just more comfortable where everyone is getting drunk together. It's just more convivial. Same for drugs, if someone says no that's their choice, but why hang out with a crowd where everyone is taking something.

stinkle · 05-07-2015 01:39AM

I go through phases of not wanting/being able to drink - Ive been on meds that dont agree with it, have tried elimination diets for various issues. Sometimes I just dont want a drink, or have a legitimate reason for not wanting to be in bits the next day (am a total lightweight anyway, and if my health isnt right at times one drink will leave me feeling as bad as 10). It's a complete headwreck explaining that to people who demand a reason for something that I might want to keep private. Or worse, in my experience as a 30-something woman, the "knowing" looks when someone thinks its cos I'm pregnant or trying to conceive.

TheLastMohican · 05-07-2015 01:42AM

Yes, I understand. What I'm not keen on is non drinkers taking everything in at a party/pub etc. We all let our hair down occasionally and one of the reasons we drink is to accommodate that release. Can you visualise a party full of non drinkers? All weighing each other up?
And all afraid to drop the mask?

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!

languagenerd · 05-07-2015 02:00AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT? I mean drinkers don't hang around in cafes/dry houses.
Personally speaking, I'm not too keen in sharing nights out with people that just watch and take in.
And why do non drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?
Why not hang with people of ye'r own ilk?Is it because the craic is better with drinkers.
PC heads, please don't reply with a load of pathetic guff

"Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT?"
Because you're out chatting with friends? Because you like the music and/or want to dance? Because a pub (a public house) is as good a place to socialise as any if you don't fancy inviting people round to yours? The fact that it sells alcohol isn't always the main consideration, you know.

"Drinkers don't hang around in cafes"
What, if you drink alcohol, you can't drink coffee too? And if you're going to use the cafe analogy, we may as well point out that lots of people who don't like coffee go to coffee shops to meet friends during the day/get lunch/have cake.

"And why do non-drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?"
Eh, cause it's rude? Not to mention juvenile.

Fair enough if the sole aim of your night is to get drunk. Believe it or not, though, that's not everyone's aim. Most go out to socialise, catch up with friends, listen to music, dance and maybe meet new people. Some drink while doing all that, some don't, some are happier with one or two drinks to sip at than a rake of pints to knock back.

Life's easier all round when you focus on what's in your glass instead what's in anyone else's!

Hrududu · 05-07-2015 02:05AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT? I mean drinkers don't hang around in cafes/dry houses.
Personally speaking, I'm not too keen in sharing nights out with people that just watch and take in.

This is your reason right here. An awful lot of people are convinced that non drinkers are watching them all night long making a note of everything they're doing.

Turtwig · 05-07-2015 02:11AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT? I mean drinkers don't hang around in cafes/dry houses.
Personally speaking, I'm not too keen in sharing nights out with people that just watch and take in.
And why do non drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?
Why not hang with people of ye'r own ilk?Is it because the craic is better with drinkers.
PC heads, please don't reply with a load of pathetic guff

Drinkers are fcking everywhere! Almost every occasion in Ireland has alcohol associated with it. By your logic non Drinkers shouldn't be anywhere!

TheLastMohican · 05-07-2015 02:21AM

languagenerd wrote: »

"Why hang about places that sell alcohol if you're a TT?"
Because you're out chatting with friends? Because you like the music and/or want to dance? Because a pub (a public house) is as good a place to socialise as any if you don't fancy inviting people round to yours? The fact that it sells alcohol isn't always the main consideration, you know.

"Drinkers don't hang around in cafes"
What, if you drink alcohol, you can't drink coffee too? And if you're going to use the cafe analogy, we may as well point out that lots of people who don't like coffee go to coffee shops to meet friends during the day/get lunch/have cake.

"And why do non-drinkers get upset if drinkers give them the cold shoulder?"
Eh, cause it's rude? Not to mention juvenile.

Fair enough if the sole aim of your night is to get drunk. Believe it or not, though, that's not everyone's aim. Most go out to socialise, catch up with friends, listen to music, dance and maybe meet new people. Some drink while doing all that, some don't, some are happier with one or two drinks to sip at than a rake of pints to knock back.

Life's easier all round when you focus on what's in your glass instead what's in anyone else's!

As a drinker, that's a tall order after a few large G&Ts

Where do you hear the most laughter ...... in a pub or in a non drinking establishment?

Turtwig · 05-07-2015 02:27AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

As a drinker, that's a tall order after a few large G&Ts

Where do you hear the most laughter ...... in a pub or in a non drinking establishment?

In an auditorium when a comedian is on stage!

catallus · 05-07-2015 02:30AM

Well, a bird can't fly on one wing, I guess. Unless it's a penguin, but then it can swim.

TheLastMohican · 05-07-2015 02:30AM

Turtwig wrote: »

Drinkers are fcking everywhere! Almost every occasion in Ireland has alcohol associated with it. By your logic non Drinkers shouldn't be anywhere!

In a political system, democracy rules. That is the majority ..... get it?

Non drinkers are included but they should not try to impose their beliefs/hang ups on people who wish to enjoy themselves.

You've only got to look east of Constantinople to see what alcohol banning does to the brain.

languagenerd · 05-07-2015 02:32AM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

As a drinker, that's a tall order after a few large G&Ts

What, so after a few drinks, you're compelled to focus on what someone else is (not) drinking? In fairness, that's your problem, not the non-drinkers! :P

Where do you hear the most laughter ...... in a pub or in a non drinking establishment?

That depends on who's in either establishment :P

Other people that get annoyed when you don't drink

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