Other people that get annoyed when you don't drink

valoren · 06-07-2015 04:39PM

Quite Simply, If every one is drinking then no one has a problem.

It's typically the one's with the deep rooted drinking problem who are the most vehement about someone not drinking.

Anyone else having a drink who can do so in moderation really couldn't care less if someone chooses to imbibe or not.

wp_rathead · 06-07-2015 04:41PM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

I also disagree with Sharia Law ......... something that would be closer to the mindset of the Total Abstinence Heads than of regular pubgoers.

Ya wha ?

TheLastMohican · 06-07-2015 04:55PM

wp_rathead wrote: »

Ya wha ?

It's a pretty simple sentence. Ask your Ma to explain it.

wp_rathead · 06-07-2015 05:38PM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

It's a pretty simple sentence. Ask your Ma to explain it.

how you somehow managed to drag Sharia Law into your conversation was impressive I got to say

languagenerd · 06-07-2015 06:10PM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

I also disagree with Sharia Law ......... something that would be closer to the mindset of the Total Abstinence Heads than of regular pubgoers.

Hahaha, what? I very rarely drink, but that's nothing to do with Sharia Law. Where you're even getting that from is beyond me. If you're hanging out with non-drinkers who are vehemently promoting total abstinence to you, then stop hanging out with those people cause they sound like twats. Pretty much all of the non-drinkers I've met (quite a few of them) don't care what anyone else is drinking. We're not anti-alcohol or whatever, we just don't particularly enjoy drinking it ourselves. I wouldn't even mention that I wasn't drinking unless someone asked.

I don't think the world's divided into "drinkers" and "non-drinkers" though. Some of my friends like to drink a lot, some don't at all, some can take or leave it and it just depends on the night. It's not something I pay much attention to, or even draw much attention to, unless someone starts hassling me to start drinking when I don't want to. I don't comment on what's in their glass so I'd rather they didn't comment on what's in mine, that's all.

06-07-2015 06:13PM

A friend of mine often gets left out of social occasions, because people believe she "wont enjoy it cause she doesn't drink".

I know it can be very hard to be sober and talk to drunk people, but surely that'd be her decision to make?

genericguy · 06-07-2015 06:16PM

TheLastMohican wrote: »

It's a pretty simple sentence. Ask your Ma to explain it.

Wow you don't come across like a fool at all.

All I see when I read your posts is "I'm embarrassed by how much I have to drink to socialise with other people, so must poke those who don't like alcohol to cleverly cover my insecurities"

Ave Sodalis · 06-07-2015 06:33PM

I don't drink. I've gotten drunk a few times just to make sure I definitely don't want to drink. The other reason for doing this was stopping people from pestering me.

I used to go out a lot, during first and second year of college. A lot being 3/4 times a week. Never drank during that time but still enjoyed going out. I found drunk people entertaining and my friends were guaranteed to get home that evening. However, every single time without fail, when people found out I didn't drink, I had to go through the whole rigmarole again and again. The "why don't you drink" "why won't you just try it" "sure you'll have one" "ah sure you're just dry". I still haven't figured out how me being able to go out sober is drier than them not being able to go out unless locked. I never judged people for getting drunk (unless they were violent drunks) but I've very rarely came across someone who hasn't judged me. People who I'd have gone out with before, who upon finding out I don't drink, suddenly become suspicious and don't want to go out with me. Yet, they hadn't realised I was sober when they didn't know.

Sober people who go out aren't doing it to judge people. They do it because they don't need alcohol to have fun and therefore don't drink it. I'm very tired of getting judged because I don't drink but still go out the odd time.

Cold War Kid · 06-07-2015 06:50PM

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

What on earth could prompt such hostility.
And something that's merely in disagreement = pathetic?

I drink but I also go to cafes (I don't know what dry houses are). People who don't drink, hang out with drinkers because they are their friends - presumably most of their friends drink; that seems to be the way things are overall, most people have a drink. If someone who drinks gives a non drinker hassle, they're hardly being unreasonable by getting annoyed - would it not be the case also in the reverse? Non-drinkers hardly just watch and take it in on a night out too - they talk to friends, dance, go on the pull... all the same things drinkers too. It's only you who's bringing in all the stuff about them wanting to be all puritannical.

Eramen · 06-07-2015 07:42PM

I recently read alcohol consumption statistics brought out by some European-wide health agency.

By age and geographical demographic, Irish under 25 year olds - for the fist time in decades - are now drinking in line with the European average. Personally I think it's because this group is not peer-pressured as much into it, it being more socially acceptable to drink moderately or not at all. They also have things to do that older generations didn't have. 22% of adults in Ireland don't drink at all, mostly the young and the elderly.

All in all, it's a better situation considering the damage that our fabled 'problem with alcohol' has wrought over the years. However, the age groups over 35 are either drinking as much as ever or drinking more. I'll try to dig up the survey, but I'm pretty sure some of this stuff is in governmental figures also. They should be easy to get.

To get to the bottom of it both drinkers and non-drinkers should take note of the changing culture. It's not really acceptable to comment on a person's drinking habits unless it's a problem. People are entitled to a private life even in the era of face-page and don't need to explain themselves to you.

Last of all publicans need to get a grip on the situation and evolve their business plan. I drink myself and am a homebrewer, but now drink less often (if ever) when out due to the latter (I prefer drinking my own concoctions). Though I often find that I'm treated appallingly by some pub staff and punters simply because i don't order booze.

For example I was recently at the Black Sheep on Capel st for a meal and they were very rude to me when I ordered water. Yes, they are down with the craft beer trendiness.. but are totally out of the loop with how people are changing their habits. I did lodge a complaint due to the poor treatment, but I'll not be back. Businesses should wake up and take note.

Eramen · 06-07-2015 08:12PM

Omackeral wrote: »

One of the best nights out in town I ever had was one where I drove in, had one pint of Pepsi (not even Coke) and drove home. I spent maybe 2.50 the whole night and had a blast, woke up with a full wallet, a clear head and a car in the garden. I do drink, maybe once a fortnight, but I could just as easily go without it. It's a sad scenario in this country when the first word to follow a person's statement that they don't drink is 'Why?' rather than simply saying 'ok cool' or 'can I get you a coke/sprite/whatever'.

Well that's not entirely true is it.. like what do cars drive on - air?! Also think of how much did you spent on petrol and cologne and the snifter of wax through the hair? :pac:

But seriously, that's great going for a night out and a bit of fun. You can't put a price on waking up normally and refreshed early the next day. Don't stop it because of some whinger.

hynesie08 · 06-07-2015 08:29PM

Eramen wrote: »

For example I was recently at the Black Sheep on Capel st for a meal and they were very rude to me when I ordered water. Yes, they are down with the craft beer trendiness.. but are totally out of the loop with how people are changing their habits. I did lodge a complaint due to the poor treatment, but I'll not be back. Businesses should wake up and take note.

That comes as a complete shock to me, any time I've been in there for food the staff bring a jug of water when you take a menu.

As for the not drinking thing, i do it sometimes with no bother, it's always funny when someone thinks you're being cheap cause you're drinking water. No mate I'll just be licking my teeth and pissing like a racehorse if i drink pints of coke all night.

Eramen · 06-07-2015 08:54PM

hynesie08 wrote: »

That comes as a complete shock to me, any time I've been in there for food the staff bring a jug of water when you take a menu.

As for the not drinking thing, i do it sometimes with no bother, it's always funny when someone thinks you're being cheap cause you're drinking water. No mate I'll just be licking my teeth and pissing like a racehorse if i drink pints of coke all night.

It happened when me and a friend first walked into the pub and went up to the bar to get a drink before we ate. He got a beer and I water. When I put in my request for water there was obvious facial disgust, sighing, half-hearted service and the glass was plopped in front of me with a very displeased 'Water.'

The lady in question then ran away from me when I tried to address the whole matter of what had just happened.

It's true that I may not have ordered the food then and there but they exercised an extreme lack of foresight by judging a person not being there for more than a glass of water. I was also thinking that if a person had a medical condition that they should definitely not be subjected to this kind of rudeness.

It's bad enough that a some crazy drinker might bother you over a lack of alcohol in your glass, but this coming from a pub is a consumer issue. Myself and friends were so disappointed as we like their pubs. We went elsewhere for the meal.

I did shoot them off an email yesterday to inform them of my experience (it only happened a few days back). We'll see what happens.

06-07-2015 09:10PM

Eramen wrote: »

Well that's not entirely true is it.. like what do cars drive on - air?! Also think of how much did you spent on petrol and cologne and the snifter of wax through the hair? :pac:

But seriously, that's great going for a night out and a bit of fun. You can't put a price on waking up normally and refreshed early the next day. Don't stop it because of some whinger.

Actually drove my friend's car in while they were having bottles and listening to Five and Steps blasting out along the Navan Road. So yeah it cost me nothing.... except lots and lots of dignity.

languagenerd · 06-07-2015 10:33PM

Re the water thing: fair enough if you're going to get food, but if you're not, surely you can see why the bar staff get annoyed? They're a business. They're providing a paid-for service. If you're availing of that service, using their facilities, getting the staff to work, taking up a space, etc., you should pay for it. I generally don't drink alcohol but I'll always buy soft drinks or at the very least pay for a bottled water. Why should I be able to scab off them all night?

There's a couple of people I don't go out with anymore, because when they're together, they just order constant glasses tap water and laugh at barmen who scowl at them. It's embarrassing to be with them because of it. It gives other non-drinkers a bad name as well. (And it's probably why the barwoman in your case was annoyed - she's probably seen a lot of people do that without ever ordering anything else. Not saying she was right to be rude to you, she shouldn't have assumed you weren't going to order food on the first round)

TheLastMohican · 07-07-2015 07:49PM

http://d3nslrukb9lhwg.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2015/01/176861234.jpg

Sure, a man likes to hang with a woman who knows how to have a good time but know when enough is enough. No man wants to see a woman puking in the bar bathroom or falling down on the dance floor.

This thread is not about heavy drinking by either sex.

Other people that get annoyed when you don't drink

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