How should I tell people I don’t drink alcohol?

For context I am interning at a trading desk in London this summer. Hi, as this post suggests, I don’t drink alcohol not for any particular reasan more so that I believe all the negative health effects greatly outweigh any of the ‘perceived benefits’. I am sure there are a few people on here that are in the same situation as me, what do you tell collegues or clients when they ask why don’t drink? I don’t want to come across as anti-social especially since I am going to be interning on a trading desk this summer. When people at university ask I tell them the truth and always get weird looks and I want to try and avoid this when I start working. Any advice?

23 Comments
 

Honestly this is the best quick response if you are confident in it. It's a lot more acceptable now, and as you get more senior, people won't even ask why. Clients and counterparties forget quickly and still invite you out or come to your HHs and then remember usually once they get there. As an intern, eh, some might give you shit, but the people that matter and make decisions wouldn't want the HR problem at the least, or in the bigger picture, probably don't care. Just say it confidently. 

 

Order a mocktail, be life of the party, and avoid saying for health reasons just say "I'm not an alcohol guy" or "religion". Your reason is totally valid, but don't be like "oh there's so many negative effects" could come off as you being judgy if not taken the right way. You at least look cool holding a drink in your hand. Had a guy in my office who was very religious but incredibly social when going out. No one thought anything of it

 

Honestly it’s next to impossible for me to drink at night and wake up early the next day to work out.

And I usually just tell people the exact reason why I try not to drink/ just get a Guinness. And people usually understand.

直指人心,見性成佛
 

I can't even drink one cocktail anymore without getting hung over the next day.

 

When you are young, turning down an alcoholic beverage might be awkward.  You could be honest and say no thanks and leave it at that. Alternatively, you could accept a drink, take a sip and not drink it anymore

 

"Alcohol is yucky"

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

Honestly, someone said it best "I don't drink." 

If you don't feel the need to even announce it, which you really don't have to, just order a club soda with lemon/lime.

For the outside observer, it looks like you have a drink - otherwise, it's nobody's business. If someone asks, then you can say it.

I've found that people are dealing with so much shit (sobriety, medication, health, etc.) that people rarely make a big deal of it. 

Even if you're at a formal dinner, just tell the waiter you're not having wine tonight.

You'll be alright.

 

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