Don’t drink...how to still build friendships within finance

Title sort of gives it away. It’s not that I don’t drink, but if I do I only drink one or two drinks. I don’t like getting drunk or even tipsy for religious reasons. I don’t judge people who drink or even get drunk at all.

Do you think this may cause some issues in forming friendships within finance? Specifically between fellow analysts? I feel like “grabbing drinks after work” and “drinking a little too much” is nearly a right of passage, so I’m a bit nervous people might see me as a prude or someone who judges them.

9 Comments
 

Grab something non-alcoholic like a sprite or a cranberry juice and no one will care. Or you could limit yourself to 1-2 drinks and basically just nurse them until you switch over to non-alcoholic drinks. Either way, this shouldn’t be an issue.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

Grab something non-alcoholic like a sprite or a cranberry juice and no one will care. Or you could limit yourself to 1-2 drinks and basically just nurse them until you switch over to non-alcoholic drinks. Either way, this shouldn’t be an issue.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

If that becomes a problem in NYC (which I highly doubt tbh...) consider moving to LA or SF. No one around here cares whether you drink or not. Not just with friends but with clients as well. I've attended many client dinners where the only people who drank were my MD and the client, while my D, VP and I just drank sparkling water. 

 

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