A question for you drinkers
 

What's your HONEST opinion on NON-drinkers?

Note: there's a second part to the question. I will post it later.

Well, if you can have fun without getting drunk, then more power to you, and I give people like that all the props in the world, because I can't.

Re: A question for you drinkers
 

I say to each his or her own.

Several guys in my chapter don't drink... Doesn't make them any worse as brothers. Probably better because you know who the DD is when you go out with 'em:D

I agree, to each his own, but don't look down upon me for drinking!! :mad: That bugs me.

I feel the same way. I have a few friends who don't drink and every time we all go out they make snide comments about me and my friends that do drink. UGH

I had a friend in college who didn't drink, and she was great fun to go out with. She wasn't high and mighty about it. I do feel bad for the non-drinkers sometimes - it must be really annoying to be sober around a bunch of drunk people!

I am pretty uncomfortable around recovering alcoholics, though. I am always worried that my drinking around them will be the thing that pushes them off the wagon...

I don't have a problem with people who don't drink, as long as they don't have a problem with me drinking!

It's really unkind to drink in front of recovering alcoholics.. One of our brothers had a real problem with alcohol and we'd take him out places where there was no alcohol on different nights when he was trying to stay sober.

What I don't like are the people who tell me "I've outgrown drinking." I don't mind non-drinkers but a few of my friends now think its immature to drink just because they stopped drinking.

My standard answer: Hey, more for me. :D

However, I don't want a lecture on why I shouldn't drink, and I don't want to spend the evening with a bump on a log. Just because you are the DD or choose not to drink, doesn't give you license to be a wet blanket and ruin everyone else's fun...if that is how you are going to act, stay at home.

Re: A question for you drinkers
 

I think you're a big freaking pansy - didn't you know drinking is a status symbol?

I pretty much agree with what everyoen else has said.

I think the NON drinkers mind way more than the drinkers, lol. When I get drunk I tend to get either overly affectionate or confrontational. Either one can lead to varying levels of embarassment. So, I love my non drinkers, although I do tend to try to make them drink, lol. Peer pressure!

by non drinkers do we mean people who don't drink AT ALL, or just at say, a certain party?

i don't have a problem with either, just like some people already mentioned, to each their own.

Sometimes I drink, and I have also found that sometimes it's more fun to be the sober one & watch all the silly things the drunk people do :p

Unkind? I'm a very kind and compassionate person, IMO. Mr. xo_kathy and I have about 3 friends who are recovering alcoholics. Whenever we go to their home for dinner, they always encourage us to bring wine to have with our dinner; they happily join groups when we go out after work, they just have seltzer; and say we attend a sporting event together, they don't bat an eye if we grab a beer. I would never take a recovering alcoholic out with me if I was planning a night of excessive drinking! But to assume I am unkind for responsibly having a drink when I am out with a consenting recovering alcoholic who has guarunteed us that it is no problem, well I just think that's a silly thing to say.

I have a lot of respect for somebody who can go to a club and act silly with the rest of us and not drink. Being at clubs with recovering alcoholics makes me nervous, too, since it's my understanding they're suppose to avoid putting themselves in situations that may tempt them. On the other hand, I respect recovering alcoholics as well. It takes a lot of courage to recognize a problem and then take the steps to deal with it.

I think that it goes both ways. We're split half and half on girls who drink, and everyone's really respectful of that, but I've heard people who judge drinkers just like sometimes drinkers judge non-drinkers. The thing is, I'm not the type of person who "has to" have a drink when I go out. You can stick a coke in my hand and I'll be just as happy, honestly. So, if there's someone else that can do that, too, then more power to them! I dunno, maybe I'm not the type of drinker you were looking for a response from, then...

:D I'm the FIRST one at the K-E-G! :D
I honestly don't mind the Non-Drinkers....they keep up the conversation when you JUST can't think anymore!!!
My ONLY problem with certain Non-Drinkers is that some feel as if they are holier-than-thou since they refrain from consuming alchohol. I feel i have a right NOT to be judged since i am a very very responsible individual (if i do say so myself) and i always get my sh*t done & then some!
EDITED TO ADD:
(Thanxxx for the opportunity to vent!);)

I love it! Can I use it too? :D

I have no problem with non-drinkers. However, I do not think I know anybody who doesn't drink. Oh wait, my ex didn't drink. I never drank in front of him, but he heard all of the stories b/c he had to -- he was my boyfriend!

i dont have a problem with people who dont drink. if its not your thing then i respect that, for whatever reason. the only think i dont like about people who dont drink, when everyone else is, is when they stand there and look bored or like they are not a part of the group. i also dont like it when they make me look like a bad person for drinking and having fun.

Why is it do you think -- at least in the US that people who drink are considered to be morally lax? I know this attitude isn't held in Europe for the most part... I just don't understand why someone who doesn't drink would think less of someone that does (and I'm not talking about someone who abuses).

I don't see anything wrong with people drinking, but it's been my experience that drinkers look down on me because I *don't* drink. Well, correction--I do drink occasionally, but only when someone offers to buy me something (why waste a free drink??). But I don't tell people I go out with not to drink, so I wish they would stop trying to cajole me into drinking with them. I respect other peoples' right to do what they want, so why do they try to force their views on me? It's like they seem to think a person can't have fun unless they've got a drink in their hand.

We had a few guys in our fraternity who didn't drink and they went out with us all the time to the bars. They were a lot of fun and it never seemed to hinder anyone in our group having a good time when we went out, and it was so nice to not have to worry about who was going to drive home. At least the ones I know seemed to be a bit more responsible than the rest of us.

quite a few people i know do not drink.. i would never judge someone on if/how much they drink. in fact we do not let our pledges drink at all during the process..
as long as the non-drinker doesn't make those nasty comments everyone was talking about to me, then i'm all set :)
THrillhouse- i agree. i hate when people call you immature because they have decided to stop drinking.. GRRR..
hehe and yay always a DD around for late night food runs ;)

I think non drinkers are great! I justhave more fun when i drink and I can't be around people that are drinking when I'm not unless I'm sober sis than it is funny for me. But going to a club and not drinking wouldn't work for me.
Non drinkers are great when they like to be sober drivers, but I hate to take advantage of them bc of that. Drinking helps me feel more free. I was really upset last yr bc someone told me they thought I was drinking too much-- yet they got high almost every day. And who made grades? Oh yeah that would be me, not her. But I do appreciate it when my sisters prevent me from making a big ass of myself.

Thrillhouse- there is nothing wrong with saying "I've outgrown drinking." I'm not even 21 yet, and I feel like I have. The difference is that I realize it isn't my place to make anyone else feel immature because they still like to drink. I don't think it makes them immature, nor do I think it makes me more mature. It's just a difference in what is considered to be a good time.

I drink rarely... but it's still a good time to go out, and I don't get bothered by other people drinking around me. I'm glad they are having fun :D I can have plenty of fun without alcohol.

Ditto on what most everyone has said. I admire people who don't drink for their convictions but respect other's choices to do so.

I feel like most of my drinking days as far as getting drunk are over since leaving school. I rarely drank in high school, but college was a 180 degree switch. And as fun of a time I had in school, getting wasted is not as appealing anymore.

Now its much more of a social thing for me, to go out and have a drink with friends. I still drink but strictly when I am out and with friends and for the taste of it moreso than the buzz. I am discovering wine, love fruity drinks and different beers.

Another question: Do you buy alcohol just to drink at home by yourself?

I don't drink unless I am in a social situation. On a rare occasion I will pick up a six pack of corona, but it seems to stay in my fridge for a while.

Rhonda

I'm jealous - they have more brain cells than me. :D

Yeah, its just one of my friends who says that to me and he can make me mad, so thats what made me post that:D

I feel sorry for anyone who drinks.

Why is that???

I also give kudos for people who don't drink at parties and functions like that. that means there are designated drivers !

I have a lot of respect for non-drinkers. Several of my sisters don't drink and often times they have more fun at parties than the drinkers and they feel a whole lot better the next day. I'm a drinker, but there are certain situations when I feel like i've outgrown drinking too. It's not all the time but it the peer pressure can always be solved by filling an empty cup or can with water.

Imthechamp- why do you feel sorry for those who chose to drink?

Haha one of my non-drinking sisters was said to be the drunkest sober person you'd ever meet--she was always so much FUN to be around! Unfortunately she was killed in a car accident on October 6th of this year, but she was an outstanding example of non-drinking fun without being a downer to her drinking friends. She always went out and had a good time w/o alcohol.

There are other non-drinkers in my house, and I figure more power to 'em. I don't drink a lot, and when I do it's not excessive, but that is just because I have a hard time sipping on stuff the entire night and enjoying it. I'm not against drinking, though, and I don't hold drunkenness against other people. When I do manage to drink more (haven't eaten much that day/taking shots) I am a silly drunk and I think it's fun :p Other people can do whatever they want and I don't have a problem with it.

Oh MY GOSH... :eek: i'm so sorry about your friend, that's terrible!! At least you have a bunch of great memories with her!!

aprilxo, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. :(

Kudos to anyone who has made the decision not to drink, especially recovering alcoholics! Kudos, too, to the designated drivers who choose not to drink at a particular event so that everyone can get home safely.

I do drink, as do most of my friends and family. When I go out with my nondrinking friends, I might or might not have a drink... it depends on how I feel and whether I have to drive. When I visit my nondrinking friends' homes, I'll gladly accept a glass of water or soda... you can absolutely have a good time without alcohol, and even if they invited me to bring beer or wine, I'd feel awkward doing so. When they visit me, I'll offer them water or soda, though I myself might have a glass of wine or a martini.

No one has ever lectured me about my decision to drink, nor would I ever lecture someone on their decision to not drink.

I agree with everyone else that I do not like the self-righteous, condescending attitude of some non-drinkers. But, for the fun ones, it's cool if that's what they want to do. It's nice to have someone who will actually listen and understand when everony is wasted and you are being a sad drunk. It's also super to have someone around who actually remembers all the funny things that happened the night before and can retell the stories! :)

Also, sometimes I will be the sober driver... sometimes it sucks because everyone else seems to be having more fun but sometimes it's way fun to torment the drunk girls and laugh at them being dumb.