Whether you’ve decided to stay off the booze for a few days, are doing a dryathlon or just don’t fancy a fuzzy head the next day, it can take a lot of determination to say “no” to a drink.
Especially if the person you’re eating with is enjoying a ruby red sangiovese with their spag bol, or all your other friends (in real life or on Zoom) are raising their prosecco filled glasses.
And it’s harder still if they then try to lend you support by waxing lyrical about the joys of teetotalism, or worse why they’d never do a dryathlon themselves.
Here are seven things you definitely don’t want to hear someone say if you aren’t drinking…
1. “Why aren’t you drinking?”
It’s the most annoying question. You’re fed up with having to explain, and quite frankly, it’s nobody’s business.
2. “They say alcohol-free cocktails taste like the real deal.”
Well you’ve tried and tested – and there’s no kick in any mock-Moscow mule you’ve tried, no matter how much spicy, ginger beer is in the mix. So this suggestion isn’t really helping right now.
3. “Are you feeling OK?”
It’s funny how people immediately think there’s something wrong with you, just because you’re not drinking. Actually you’re fine and you’re also going to be fine tomorrow morning – which may not be the case for them.
4. “I really appreciate a large G&T at the end of a stressful day.”
This one’s really irritating if you’re not drinking and feeling a bit stressed about other things in your life. A large G &T isn’t an option at the moment, so dangling that idea in front of you – disguised as admiring your self control – is a bit mean.
5. “Are you saving money?”
Well you’ve just saved £8 on a bottle of Chilean merlot, but you don’t normally drink so much that abstaining for a few days will fund a trip to Santiago.
6. “At least your skin will look better.”
You hadn’t realised your skin was looking bad before.
7. “Are you ticking off those household chores on your to-do list?”
Funny as it may sound, just because you’re not drinking, it doesn’t mean you’ve suddenly become so dull your idea of a fun night in is sorting out your messy, bottom drawer and ironing. Or maybe it does, which is worse.
