Why do people look at you weird when you turn down alcohol?

Question

I quit drinking and realized what a social aspect it is in our culture. When I say, I don't drink... people look at me weird or try to peer pressure me into drinking. I tend to get energy drinks in cups with ice to look like something. Since there is so much alcoholism, duis, and deaths relating to alcohol...why do we feel compelled as a culture to make people drink?

Answer 1

Mu husband doesn't drink either (his choice, never had never wants to) - it used to be a big deal when we were younger b/c everyone was drinking except him and would always pester him to drink, it would make him angry. Now that we're a little older we obviously hangout with people our own age who are more mature and sometimes when we go out for dinner and drinks they don't even notice he just gets a soda...he usually never gets bothered anymore by his choice of not drinking. Good for me since I always have a designated driver lol

Answer 2

My husband is a sober heroin addict/alcoholic and I have watched two people close to me die because of drug and alcohol problems. So needless to say we never drink. Even at a family function where other people know our situation we get the same reaction. The best thing to do is to approach the situation as "I do not care what others think, I know what is best for me, and furthermore you are making yourself look like an idiot for getting drunk." We even get a reaction when people come to our home and can not believe there is no alcohol in the house. We kind of find the situation humorous. To be honest, we drink a lot of Starbucks. You can find that at our house and people find it strange. It all boils down to perception and environment. When I first met my husband (as friends) he asked at nine at night where I was going. I told him the bookstore to get a cup of coffee. He then asked if I was serious. I said yes and he came along. He could not believe how many people where out drinking on a Friday night and it was not alcohol. We sat down and he looked at me and said. People actually do this. I said yes. Recently we saw a report saying coffee house are the new bars. I guess we where ahead of our time.

Answer 3

It, for sure doesn't matter what they think!!!! I know that a lot of those people will crash & burn sadly. You will stand tall and the ones who make it will someday wish they were more like you!!! Be proud you have a clear view of real life, that's something they don't and many may never have!!! I'm 46 now and drank a lot when i was younger & had my right to life, good times (wild oats) & am glad I did cause I can look back and just laugh at some of the crazy things and try to forget some too!! But I don't want to do it all again! I still drink on occasion now, if I hadn't practically stopped when my kids were born I shutter to think of how my life would be today and what an impact it would have made on them!!!! I AM PROUD OF YOU!!! I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRINK TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, IT'S ALL A FRAME OF MIND. BESIDES THERE IS NOTHING FUNNIER THAN WATCHING A BUNCH OF DRUNKS FOR ENTERTAINMENT. KNOWING YOU AREN'T THE ONE OUT THERE MAKING A FOOL OF YOURSELF! YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT ROLE & THAT'S TO KINDA WATCH OVER THEM. They will look back with respect one day.. LOTS OF LAUGHS!!!

Answer 4

You make a good point. I don't drink as well. I used to drink a lot in college and then I just stopped all of a sudden. I don't think I even really liked it then. A lot of people drink because they think it's what they are supposed to do. Have a party; we need to drink. Going out; we need to drink. Someone died; we need to drink. I'm not sure why it's so but, I believe you're doing the right thing. Don't worry about them looking at you weird, you'll do the same to them when they're acting a fool later.

Answer 5

I've noticed something similar as a vegetarian who deals with omnivores all the time. I have come to the conclusion that when you say you abstain from something, whether it's alcohol, meat, Halloween, sex, whatever... many people who do partake of whatever it is you're abstaining from feel like you're challenging their choices to do whatever they do. Occasionally when I tell someone I'm a vegetarian, they even start explaining why they choose to eat meat even though I never asked for an explanation.

I'll go even farther out on a limb and speculate that may be the people who haven't really thought about their own choices or who are in denial about the possible problems associated with their choices who are the most bothered by other people choosing to do something different.

Answer 6

I think it has become so much of a social standard in America, and even in other industralized countires. Alcohol is a social mutuality that people can universally share at parties. When you deny alcohol, the person oferring probably is just caugh off guard, because they were probably expecting you to take the bottle and chug!
But that's society, and it has been society for many many years. People have created this image that everyone enjoys alcohol because it's seen so often in movies, TV shows and everyday life and culture. Everyone is expected to drink, because that is the stamp we have ingrained into our brains. Luckily there are still a lot of people left who aren't intimidated by the status quo of normal party atmospheres.

Answer 7

I think your choosing not to drink is a good choice. People may look at you weird because they think that being sober isn't normal, because they aren't sober; they can only view the world from their life and life practices. Sobriety is normal, though. Many intelligent people practice sobriety. The opposite of course is also true. Drunkenness is accepted in many places. I have known way too many people to go down for alcohol. I'm turning 21 Wednesday. I may have a drink or two, but all my legality really means to me is I can now buy unsalted beer or wine to cook with in America. I can finally make many of Rachel Ray's recipes! Be safe and be healthy! :O).

Answer 8

I dont think its that our culture makes us feel compelled, I think its more that people wish they had the will power that the person thats drinking does and they want to see if they can make you bend. I never drank in High School and kids would do anything they could to get me to take a drink.

Answer 9

I totally agree. Whenever I go out, I am always the one who doesn't drink. People always try to pressure me into it, but I just don't like the idea of something effecting my mind so much. I don't even drink coffee or energy drinks. I think in today's culture it's almost like you are expected to drink alcohol.

Answer 10

I hate alcohol and the fact is media infects the youth and that fact that it makes someone feel differently and the fact that it's addicting. Plus Alcohol had been in our world since forever and there's people who make a living making beer. Anyways just say I don't like it and if they can't accept you not drinking then they aren't your friends. It's mostly because they want to feel better about drinking because you don't do it. So when you do it, it makes them think it's OK to do it.