Question about alcohol in Investment Banking
I'm going to be an AN1 this July, and making a trip to the city where I will work this week. I reached out to a few people in the office just to get to know them a bit before starting since I haven't met anyone in person (all my interviews were virtual) and one of the associates invited me for happy hour. I don't drink alcohol just because I'm allergic to one of the ingredients (I don't have an ethical or moral dilemma or anything about it - if not for the allergy I probably would have drank) and got through college since I'm not too big on the hard partying scene. Having said that, I don't intend to come across as stuck up or "uncool" for not drinking.
I was wondering if you or anyone you know don't drink? Is it still a bit of a necessity in IB? If so, what would be a polite way of letting people know that I would not be drinking due to the allergy? I would appreciate any suggestions.
just say you're allergic... if anyone gives you shit they are twats and you definitely wouldn't want to work for them anyway
Thanks for letting me know! I just wasn't sure if it would be perceived negatively but seems like generally, it's not.
Order lime and soda water. Nobody is going to be an asshole about it.
Thanks for the tip, and that's definitely good to know!
Lime and soda water? That's like the classic recovering alcoholic drink. OP just order a coke.
I have low alcohol tolerance too so I limit my drinking. My group is rather party type with people serving alcohol late night in the office, never had issues declining them.
That's great to hear - hope the group I will be working with is the same
Tell them you don’t drink. Just get it over with so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
That makes sense. I'll keep that in mind
Start networking/recruiting heavy at the Mormon dense PE firms.
Hey Mitt Romney was in PE....might not be such a bad idea lol
Just order a drink that you enjoy and aren’t allergic to. Nobody should give you a hard time over an allergy
I don't drink and no one ever cared or asked twice. I attend all the happy hours or events we have as a group and it's always a good time. Just don't be weird or awkward about it man, have a good time and enjoy.
Yeah I enjoyed parties in college and high school without alcohol and hopefully didn't come across as awkward. Hope that's still the case
I don’t drink because relatives on both sides are hardcore alcoholics.
Just be confident in yourself and you’ll be fine. At the end of the day nobody really cares as long as you can still be personable at a happy hour
Thanks for the tip!
If someone is giving you shit for having an allergy that you can't control I think their character speaks for itself. Anyways just don't be "that guy" when it comes to informing everyone about the fact that you don't drink. This is moreso a problem for people who don't drink for moral reasons. It's not a big deal until they make it a big deal
Here’s your response. Colleague: Hey "so so", where's your drink? So so: It sucks, but i'm allergic to one of the ingredients in alcohol. Colleague: Ahh man, it's alright. So so: So, did you see the game last night?…
Just say you have liver failure problems
Is it gluten related stuff? If so, perhaps try white-claws or other gluten-free.
Just tell the truth lol. Say you are allergic, learn to make a joke about it. But also as people mentioned, there are numerous Mormons out there who don’t drink. Heck I had an MD who was Mormon and didn’t drink caffeine. Dude used to reply with, “See in the church of the Latter Day Saints we have no need for caffein as we are all high on life” it always got a quick laugh. If were you I’d just have a witty comeback like him.
”want a drink”
either avoid the conversation entirely and order something unalcoholic or reply with
”sorry I’m allergic”
“you’re kidding.”
”Sadly no, and people think a peanut allergy is bad—imagine a college experience of frat parties without alcohol.”
Dude, I'm sorry but if you have to put this on WSO, you're actually retarded. Why can't you just say 'I'm allergic to ingredients in alcohol and I can't drink'. I've had a glass of water before during a happy hour with my team and they didn't say anything. Dumbass question
My bad bro. Just wasn't sure so wanted to clarify since I don't have a ton of experience in settings like that.
Many people are frightened by the prospect of "breaking away from the team" by giving up alcohol. According to psychologists, good friends and colleagues will respect your choice and even support you. Refusal of alcohol will not affect your status and will not make you an outcast.
If, however, members of the company are offended and unable to accept the choice of a non-drinker, I advise you to leave them.
This is the problem of offended people, not yours. If they do not support your desire to become a better person or not harm yourself, why do we need such friends? Then it's time to make new ones! A new way of life can lead to a change in the social circle. I believe that people who are very stubborn about inviting you for a drink, should join online sobriety support groups
This is great perspective. Thank you!
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