Being Teetotal

[Ivo]

To those who are teetotal, Is it something you actively do, or do you just not 'feel like' a beer?

I do it actively. There are plenty of drinks out there that don't come with health risks and don't make you look like an idiot when you've had too much (note that Pepsi, which admittedly fails the health risks bit, doesn't affect me in relation to either caffeine or high sugar content), that are also much cheaper. I find it annoying that non-drinkers effectively "subsidise" the preferences of those who do drink in pubs and the like - a barman once told me "if we could sell Pepsi for 50p, we would"; the idea being that 50p would still make a profit but it is unreasonable given the lower margins on other drinks - but have effectively come to accept as much.

Oh, and I don't like the taste either. That doesn't help.

 

[90019]

Only thing that bugs me about teetotallers is they often seem to think that drinking alcohol involves getting completely smashed out of your head EVERY time.

There are plenty of us who don't, though.

I suppose for those that do think that, it's probably just because the ones who do just go out to get smashed are the ones you tend to see making a nuisance of themselves.
Like most things, the vocal minority give everyone else a bad name.

To those who are teetotal, Is it something you actively do, or do you just not 'feel like' a beer?

Bit of both for me - I do actively avoid drinking, but I also have no urge to drink anything alcoholic.
Also, I don't drink anything fizzy (I find the sensation extremely unpleasant), so that rules out a fair few alcoholic drinks anyway.

Since I don't spend any money on booze, it means I've got more to spend on my cars.

 

[NLC1072]

I only really drink because I like the taste of the higher quality ciders, and to relax after a 12 hour shift! but then I only have a pint every now and then, maybe two or there on a night out, never any more.

NLC1072

 

[Jock]

I am now actively T-Total, in part due to ill health but mainly because I became alcohol dependant

For years I was one of these people that drank everyday after work, not a day would go by where I didn't have a drink in some way shape or form. Deliberately towards the end I'd find myself swapping shifts/jobs just to get finished early and get to the pub - be it 1030am or 1030pm my one focus everyday became getting that pint of amber nectar, but one became 10 and so on.
I don't knock anyone for drinking to enjoyment and now, thanks to the help of some wonderful people in the NHS I often sit in the pub and have a coke or 3, which is hard but something they taught me how to build up the tolereance to do (although admittedly at times I want to bounce drunks off all 4 walls).
However there is only so many warnings your body will give you before it kicks you into touch - for me I crossed the line but luckily I got a reprieve, albeit I got my fingers burned in the process.

 

[Cable Car]

There nothing worse than being landed next to a group of drunks on a train.

 

[mrscherry]

My mum is an alcohol dependent (I was going to say alcoholic but apparently there's a difference between the two) and I think it's a reason why I don't go out and drink a lot like most people my age.

A few people have called me boring but it doesn't really bother me. You don't need to drink alcohol to have a good time. Let them think what they want. Good for you on becoming teetotal

 

[LE Greys]

I'm officially supposed to be Teetotal for medical reasons, although it was somewhat difficult keeping it up when sharing a flat with two medical students who liked to invite their class over. I used a number of tricks (like refilling a half-full glass) to look as though I was keeping up with them, not that it really made any difference. Still, it was less annoying than just sitting in my room with the radio on and wishing they would go out. I tried going with them once, but was utterly bored half the time and terrified the other half. Couldn't be bothered after that.

It's unfortunate, I was just beginning to develop a taste for real ale when I was told I had to give up, the odd (singular) pint helped life pass smoothly. However, I don't miss it much, and I certainly don't enjoy getting far too drunk. It's just not worth it, really.

 

[starrymarkb]

We received abuse recently for daring to have tea and coffee in a Weatherspoons from some 'after work drinks' types in suits. I was sober as I was the driver, R didn't fancy alcohol and B had a pint earlier with his meal (in the same pub).

I think my total alcohol intake these days is maybe a bottle of ale per week! (I used to be borderline Alcoholic but realised that a 1l bottle of Vodka every few days was a bad idea and stopped in time!)

Colleagues at work often talk of being '****ed paro' but I really don't get the point!

 

[Nonsense]

I have a foot in both camps. I hate being drunk and the inconvenience of unconditional honesty and falling over, but I also love a drink.

Wine is the best for a meal or telly and so many uses in the kitchen
Real ale down the pub
A crisp imported lager on a rare hot sunny afternoon
A peaty aged single malt xmas treat
G&T completes an Indian

Wine is the best though. A bottle of wine, a joint of topside, in a bowl, covered with a few garlic cloves, bayleaves and whatever herbs are to hand, in the fridge. 24 hours later, its purple, cook it to a medium. Pink on the inside, purple of the outside. Sliced thinly, it dances on your tongue before evaporating in puff of flavor. Yom. The left over wine, in the roasting dish for at least 15 min to burn off the alcohol and mix with the beefy goodness to make one hearty gravy. Yom yom

I find Teetotalism odd because alcohol is such a major part of my life, even if I'm not drinking, something boozy is enhancing my life. Not knocking it, but to me, it would be like giving up bathing or something.

 

[wolfman]

i do enjoy a pint or two especially when going to a football match it all adds to the atmosphere and general good day out.

 

[newbie babs]

At the start of this year I liked an occasional drink but I have never been one that drinks a lot.
Now after a very long and horrendous year and finding out I have an allergy to alcohol I can no longer drink it, or have anything that has alcohol in it (sherry trifle, steak and ale pie etc). Sometimes its a pain to find something in a pub that's not fizzy and not alcoholic, but rather than be extremely ill and have to use my epi pen I don't drink.

 

[Stephen55a1960]

After coming to the conclusion some time ago that I simply do not enjoy alcohol or the effect it has on me, I have decided to become teetotal. This has been a good decision, it saves me money, no more hangovers and I do not miss it one iota and know I will never drink again.

The only fly in the ointment has been the reaction of people. Most people find it odd and think I am strange for not drinking and I feel a bit of an outcast. Some people have even implied it is boring not to drink Has anyone else who has gone down the same road as me had such a similar reaction. Or do any drinkers also think it is odd?

I certainly think it is odd, to treat a teetotaller as an outcast. I will only drink soft drinks if I'm driving or on medication. I shouldn't worry about it.
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There nothing worse than being landed next to a group of drunks on a train.

Agreed! I'm still haunted by the incident some years ago (on what was then a GNER service) A group of drunken football fans pulled down a Muslim woman's veil; and poured beer down her throat.

 

[user15681]

From the view of someone who does drink a lot, there's nothing wrong with being teetotal at all. You can have an enjoyable night without alcohol. I drink a lot purely because it relaxes me, calms me down, gives that generally good feeling and for a few hours suppresses my inner worries and stresses.

But, all that can be achieved by other means. One of my close friends is teetotal, and I see no problem with it. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption has become influenced a lot by human psychology. It's an issue of conformity and the apparent need to be socially accepted by a group of people. A lot drink to 'fit in', because not drinking would seem like being a social outcast. In reality, not drinking is a personal choice and one that should be respected by everyone.

I say well done for having the will and determinism to keep teetotal, and to stick to your choice despite the influence of conformity.

 

[SS4]

I love drinking but I don't see the attraction in getting drunk. There's the flavour of it, the guest drinks and trying new and unusual combinations. For example Aniseed liqueur has no soft drink equivalent and try as I might I cannot find a cinnamon flavoured soft drink in the vein of Aftershock or Fireball.

It seems one of the more common arguments in favour of teetotalism that everyone who drinks always drinks to excess which I don't buy.

 

[Ivo]

Sweep drinks? There goes my childhood

It seems one of the more common arguments in favour of teetotalism that everyone who drinks always drinks to excess which I don't buy.

And with good reason - it's a poor excuse. It's not our problem if these people want to be idiots

The problem arises when such people try to force their drinking culture upon us. And in my experience, it's far too common.

 

[Donny Dave]

It seems one of the more common arguments in favour of teetotalism that everyone who drinks always drinks to excess which I don't buy.

What is drinking to excess though? An advert on my local radio station (Viking FM) is saying more than 1 pint a day is drinking to excess!

Oh well, that's me stuffed then, as I typically have 3 cans every other day ....

 

[SS4]

What is drinking to excess though? An advert on my local radio station (Viking FM) is saying more than 1 pint a day is drinking to excess!

Oh well, that's me stuffed then, as I typically have 3 cans every other day ....

Viking FM must be drunk if they think 1 pint a day is drinking to excess. Excess varies from person to person but if you're getting tipsy or drunk it's excessive.

 

[Donny Dave]

Viking FM must be drunk if they think 1 pint a day is drinking to excess. Excess varies from person to person but if you're getting tipsy or drunk it's excessive.

It's an advert, sponsored I think by either the local NHS trust or some health organisation.

 

[Eagle]

Viking FM must be drunk if they think 1 pint a day is drinking to excess. Excess varies from person to person but if you're getting tipsy or drunk it's excessive.

The usual limit as defined by the NHS is 30 to 40 ml of ethanol (3 to 4 units) per day. A typical pint of 5% abv beer or cider contains 5% × 568 ml = 29 ml. So one a day is the limit, according to them.