A question for people who drink: how unusual do you think it is for someone not to drink? I met a guy at a meetup a week ago, and when I told him I didn't drink, I got this response:

I think the better question might be--was this guy raised by wolves? There are dozens of reasons people might not drink, starting with "I just don't want to" and going from there, and not one of them is any business of someone you just met.

I think the better question might be--was this guy raised by wolves? There are dozens of reasons people might not drink, starting with "I just don't want to" and going from there, and not one of them is any business of someone you just met.

Exactly!

For people with an alcohol problem of some sort, people who don't drink are threatening. They tell themselves that everyone cares about drinking as much as they do, so someone who doesn't can really freak them out.

I have been literally yelled at for not drinking. Not for talking about drinking or anything annoying, but for refusing a drink at a party and when the person urged me to take it, saying "I don't drink but it looks delicious." They then told me I was a freak who didn't know how to have fun.

I am baffled by non-drinkers who have never been drinkers

I can understand not liking the sensation of being drunk or tipsy, or liking the taste of alcohol. I can't understand never having tried it unless there had been a religious or health proscription--how do you define having been a drinker?

At university I plain didn't understand non-drinkers. My sister had been taking wine with dinner since she was 8 or so. But then again, I didn't get vegetarians either.

When I gave up drinking for Lent a number of people felt the need to comment. The rest just assumed I was pregnant.

Ha! Me too. Especially the rugby boys.

I don't drink much. But I do sometimes. Still, I'd be reluctant to ask that of a stranger in case it's a really painful story or something. Also, it seems like really atrocious manners.

I have been literally yelled at for not drinking. Not for talking about drinking or anything annoying, but for refusing a drink at a party and when the person urged me to take it, saying "I don't drink but it looks delicious." They then told me I was a freak who didn't know how to have fun.

That is shocking to me. My grandfather had similar stories, but that was 30+ years ago!

First he says it's understandable, but an explanation is still definitely necessary! Make up your mind, man. Maybe only certain explanations would be understandable.

People might not drink for so many reasons, though. Health, and/or medication, just to name a few.

Yeah, I think that's what's really pinging me on the question. There could potentially be very uncomfortable explanations involved. Maaaaybe I don't want to talk about why I don't drink? I don't really have a good, solid reason, anyway.

It strikes me as unbelievably rude that someone you don't even know would *demand* an explanation, too.

I'm sure he didn't mean to be rude, but yeah. I'm debating between responding with, "Not that odd, just a personal choice," and just not responding at all. Although if he really is completely flabbergasted, he may bring it up when I see him on Wednesday anyway.

They then told me I was a freak who didn't know how to have fun.

Did you then whip out a big mirror?

On the other end of the spectrum, I'm amused when 14, 15 year olds tell me their Straight Edge.

(I know that plenty of kids that age drink to greater and lesser degrees. It just amuses me that they're adopting an identity consisting of... obeying the law.)

REading British mysteries, with all the booze, and the "well stocked drinks cabinet" and such, makes me understand the line I heard from an international diplomat who said "They were either alcoholics or British."