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."

First he says it's understandable, but an explanation is still definitely necessary!

I wonder if he's thinking, "There's some crazy story behind it that I know you're just dying to tell me!"

I wonder if he's thinking, "There's some crazy story behind it that I know you're just dying to tell me!"

"Well, there was the Brahmin prophecy, then an oath to Kali--I can't say more."

To some drinkers it is though.

True, that guy P-C met for example. But I wouldn't say most.

My father wasn't a drinker, just didn't like the taste of it. I can remember how, at some parties, he'd ask me to go to the bar to get a club soda for him. I asked him why he didn't go himself and he said that people always wanted an explanation from him as to why he didn't drink, and it bugged him. "They want to know if I have a drinking problem. 'Yes,' I say, 'my problem is I don't care for it.'"

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?

I once had a bit of punch that I didn't realize was alcoholic, but I didn't really taste the alcohol (clearly) or feel any effects. I've gotten the alcohol sensation from some alcoholic desserts like spumoni and truffles, though, and I can't imagine drinking that. Mostly I don't drink because I...don't drink.

It just amuses me that they're adopting an identity consisting of... obeying the law.

I didn't drink or do drugs or anything at that age, and I didn't even get a fancy label! Man, I missed out.

I wonder if he's thinking, "There's some crazy story behind it that I know you're just dying to tell me!"

Ha! You know what, I'd bet that's it. He seems like an easygoing kind of guy, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what he's thinking.

Most people I know drink , but most people I know also have occasions or times when they don't drink. I also know people that drink very lightly. And some that don't drink at all. I just remember to have a bunch of different kinds of things to drink

shipping I was a t UPS today. their computers were freezing and glitching. Most people were reasonable -- except for those that just had 'questions'.

I don't like the taste of it either. Also, the only effect I ever got was nausea.

I think some people also take it as a criticism of their drinking, which is...weird. I mean, I don't drink soda, because I can't stand carbonation, but turning it down isn't me commenting on someone else's likes.