Abstaining from alcohol in the business world?
Fellow monkeys,
I am curious to get your insight on a question that's been bothering me: Is it that much harder to succeed in the business world without drinking alcohol?
Networking often occurs at bars after work, where everyone lets loose and has a drink. Only problem is, I don't drink.
I've been a 'teatotaler' (is that the word?) for a couple years now, and find myself in very awkward situations where everyone I go out with will order a beer and I'm the odd man out drinking water.. I'm hoping I'm overly self-conscious about this, but a part of me feels like such a killjoy when I say 'no thanks' to the bartender.
I can't help but imagine this will have a negative impact somewhere down the line. People less willing to invite me out.. Maybe even as far as missing out on career ops later.
Am I nuts? Do you care about 'that guy' that doesn't drink?
And if you're curious as to why I don't drink, alcohol addiction is prevalent in my family. I've seen firsthand the impact of alcoholism, and made a decision that I would never drink, ever. If this is going to be a real problem as my career goes on, I may have to rethink my decision.
Thanks for reading, look forward to your input!
My opinion probably doesn't matter all that much in the grand scheme of things, but personally, I'd have a lot more respect for someone who was bold enough to not drink when everyone else is than someone who completely goes against their beliefs just because they feel it will help their career.
That being said, I probably wouldn't go out with you again.
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/partyingdrinking-culture-at-bbs
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/does-anybody-here-not-drink
Appreciate the replies! I feel a bit silly for starting the thread now, haha. Maybe that answers my question for me? :P
[quote=Armistice]http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/partyingdrinking-culture-at-bbs
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/does-anybody-here-not-drink[/quote] My bad, tried to search first but didn't use the right terms.
Haha no worries - they were still somewhat buried in the searches I was doing...and I knew exactly what I was looking for.
someone who is personable drinking water beats a boring person sipping a beer.
if you're fun to be around it shouldn't make a difference.
you made a decision for a pretty sound reason; don't rethink your convictions based on something silly like thinking colleagues will think you are a "loser" for not drinking. it's a job, not fraternity pledging.
Haha I've actually wondered about this too. I'm not much of a drinker either and I've been wondering if this. From what some people have told me, you'll always have people who will think you're weird, but unless you make it a problem (ie you do act weird/socially awkward), then it won't be. However, I'm probably younger and further away from the industry than most of you guys, so take what I say with a grain of salt
If you are really worried about it I suggest ordering a drink, something on the rocks, and just not drinking it. Ordering a beer it will be obvious you arent drinking it, if you order say a vodka on the rocks the ice will melt and no one will be any the wiser unless they try to drink it. It will cost you a bit of money to do this but it will help to avoid awkward situations when you are at social events for work where booze is provided.
So long as you're a cool person without drinking I think it should be okay. No one is going to care that much that you don't drink I don't think...
I have to say though, drinking alcohol with someone while doing business is like immediately landing on common ground. Everything starts to move more smoothly, people start to speak for frankly, people start to understand eachother, etc... I don't think anyone's going to look down on you if you don't drink, but it'd probably be EASIER if you did.
p.s. don't move to China - drinking here is an absolute requirement
Or you could just go up to the bartender separately and ask for a coke and tell people it's a rum and coke. Also, some bars will give you free soda/pop if you tell them you're the DD.
Just don't get a glass of milk or water or some other stupid thing: there are plenty of people that go out just to socialize and don't want to drink/get drunk. Just be cool about it and most people won't even notice.
If you're worried about it, get a soda in a tumbler with some ice and pretend like it's alcohol. If you're not worried about it (I don't drink except with old friends and I'm not worried about it), just get a glass of water or soda and be yourself. If somebody calls you out on it, they're either a prick or worried you're not having a good time. Just don't be awkward about it.
I'll just say that you're not alone.
You can always amuse yourself by slipping some ipecac into someone's Jack Daniels
EDIT: The latter part was targeted towards a college context. Would undoubtedly be a bold career move though.
I always order virgin drinks at the bars during the week when we go out for a happy hour! Coke with ice is the best..,nobody ever asks. At company events I may have one glass of wine that I will carry around for three hrs..lol..I just cant drink like I used too.. cant deal with hangovers anymore!
Even more replies, awesome!
Great insight so far. Seems like the consensus is that if I act like it bothers me, it'll bother them. Otherwise, as long as I have fun and actually attend the social events regardless of alcohol, I'll be alright :)
There is just one requirement for he sober person in the group, you know you have to tea bag the drunkest girl in the group right? Not saying that is a bad thing, just saying it would be much easier to explain with the "We were both so wasted," excuse.
HAHA I thought teabagging ended in college.. Luckily I've never been a victim, and hopefully I never will be crossing my fingers
How Important is Drinking Alochol in business? (Originally Posted: 03/05/2012)
I've never been much of a drinker, don't usually have alcohol in my fridge at home, when I go out with friends only drink about 5 drinks at the max, however, I've always been pretty popular even amongst friends who drink every night/go all out on weekends. Is it THAT important that I become a good drinker?
Dude order a vodka on the rocks and pretend to be sipping the shit. Then order water (by the time you're ordering water, guys will be too buzzed to notice the difference). Either way you'll be set, since a standard rule in these cocktail sessions is order 1 drink then order water, repeat..just be strategic you'll be good. And of course like other guys are saying on here, try to actually network - talk to people and shit.
five drinks is not nearly enough. step your game up
Let's just say this guy just made partner at Goldman...
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ks5wlClvUkg
I think your perception of drinking with coworkers may be a little off. You're not going out with them to get hammered all the time. Sure, you may have a few social gatherings during recruiting season or analyst onboarding, but you already said you drink around 5 drinks when you go out. Quit trying to break down every situation that may come up, and just go to work. The rest will fall into place.
There are few bankers who don't drink alcohol at all.
I've never had a drink in my life.
I really wouldn't worry about it as long as you're still a good time when you're sober.
Drinking is more important than the actual work that you do
Loooots of mixed responses here, haha, seems like each one contradicting the other
drinking with bunch of female colleagues may get what you really want
2nd rupert
Thanks for all the help. I guess I should clarify, I don't cut myself off at 5 drinks (certainly been nights with well over 5), it's just that's about how many I end up having even though some of my friends are getting into double digits...
are you asking whether or not you need to be an alcoholic to fit in?
"when I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading". Henry Youngman
Not necessarily an alcoholic, but whether or not you have to enjoy drinking. I love sitting around shooting the sh*t with friends who are heavy drinkers even if I'm just having a soda...but I just don't enjoy the taste of alcohol that much.
Perhaps you are overthinking this one just a bit...also I don't know how long you've been drinking but it took me 3 years to appreciate the taste of beer.
What kind of beer were you drinking, man?
Five years now, my favorite remains Keystone Light (Lite?) because of it's ability to taste most like water...
Keystone is the worst beer on the face of the planet. Try real beer, you will learn to love it.
MItt Romney only drank once, and look where he ended up..
Spending 7 years and $200 million on 2 Presidential bids that will end in failure?
But he'll still be loaded afterwards....
I don't trust people who don't drink at all.
This is seriously a very important rule.
/\ this
X2. I fucking love booze.
Train with vodka, try building DCFs of companies that are in the news while 8-10 drinks in. After that, you can do anything.
I don't know where you're from but here you can order a boar's head or something and its just sprite in a tumbler with a lime. No one knows the difference. See if you can find something like that to order when you go out.
how to phrase this at happy hours? (Originally Posted: 05/07/2014)
So I will be starting up at a bank this summer and wanted opinions on how this would be perceived/any issues with analyst cohesiveness:
I don't drink/do any hard drugs anymore (been a couple years clean). I know high finance is models and bottles but I don't want to sacrifice my progress just for a job. I'm not your stereotypical AA/teetotaling guy -- I still go to bars/clubs and just have a water or something, and I consider myself very social/fun to be around. But, I've read old posts/online articles about how not drinking can be negatively perceived and impact you in a bad way in terms of career progression. I understand I can just order a coke/club soda at happy hours and all -- is it as simple as doing that or will I be labeled as an outcast?
Honestly no one will care.
Depends on what sort of arseholes you work with.
Some people would be totally cool with it. Some people will outcast you, but are likely the sort of arseholes who would outcast anyone slightly different.
Just have a short explanation handy (ie around three sentences) that neatly explains why you're not drinking.
I remember someone telling me there is a medical condition of alcohol intolerance (maybe like gluten intolerance?) - don't be afraid to lie and use that as a simple explanation.
Just make sure that your explanation is not a long life story essay and that there is nothing in your story that implies you make any moral judgment on those who drink or that you're not drinking because of some religious or philosophical hang up.
You are an incoming first year M&A Analyst, the only models you will see are Excel M&A models and the only bottles you will see are red bull/coke/cold coffee at the office.
No more alcohol... (Originally Posted: 06/21/2012)
i want to quit drinking, at least at the level i used to do but preferably 100% sober most of the time when i go out. is this possible to do in banking?
recently found out that liver disease is hereditary in my family and so for health reasons i really have to cut back on the alcohol. keep in mind i used to be a very heavy drinker so let's just say that i've certainly enjoyed my time with alcohol.
saying no to my friends will be easy, but from all the alcohol forums on here, it sounds like saying no to guys from work will be hard. advice, on how to deal or whether this is even feasible, appreciated.
Why not just tell them you have a health condition that prevents you from drinking that much? No one but a complete asshole would try to get you to do shots knowing that you have a legitimate health reason to not drink.
This...
pussy
Order a glass of water and hold it in your hand. Sip on it and tell people its vodka.
Eva heard of mocktails?
Just dont order alcohol and tell people you dont drink.... Whats the problem?
Seltzer with a lime.
Seriously no one will care if you don't drink when you go out. It's awkward not to have something in your hand so get a water, selzter, soda, whatever.
noted... better to sip on a drink or just tell people i don't drink? good to hear that people don't think i'll be excluded either way
Don't make a big deal out of it and most other people won't either. Expect to take some razzing and just laugh it off. As long as you aren't acting like the morality police you should be fine.
Scotchy scotch scotch, down you go in my belly.
Hmm, I love a good scotch. Especially if it's on company tab.
To Booze or not to Booze? (Originally Posted: 09/06/2011)
I am sure many of us here drink alcohol, but how would you handle it if you were out partying with collegaues and were offered a drink while you do not drink alcohol (but have no issue partying all night)?Is it badly perceived to be a non drinker in IB?Let me take it further what if you are a piscatarian as well, would you be perceived as too out there? How are these types of things viewed in the industry?
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