Yesterday was my 26th birthday.
More than any other day of the year, I get asked one question over and over--
"You going to go out and get drunk?"
As someone who doesn't drink, I always feel a little awkward answering this question. When I do, I sound like I'm admitting to being a strict follower of some astringent religion or a character from Happy Days.
"No," I say, "I don't drink."
In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I have had drinks. I've had about three drinks in my entire life, but I've never been drunk nor do I drink regularly.
There isn't any ethical or moral reason I don't drink. When I was younger I made a joke about the fact that my parents never cared if I had a drink or not, and I wasn't interested in doing anything that would constitute being rebellious.
Then again, my parents don't drink either, so we never had any alcohol in the house. I never really saw poeple drinking, and when I did, they always looked kind of...foolish.
When I was very young, my aunt slipped me a sip of wine, and I remember not liking the taste at all. Maybe that memory stuck with me, because to this day I won't have wine--even for toasts. I just hold the glass up and hope nobody notices when I give it to whomever is sitting next to me.
Lately, it seems like my lifestyle--mixed with the fact that I'm a bit of a control freak--is keeping me sober. I'm always the driver, never the passenger. I like having my wits about me at all times.
Usually people joke with me about it at first, but then they're grateful when they realize there won't be a fight over who the designated driver is going to be. Plus, it helps to have someone around who can actually remember what occurred on any given night.
I've come to believe it's actually more fun to stay sober and watch those around you drink. I've even made up a joke about it. Now when people ask me if I plan on drinking, I say--
"I don't drink, but I highly recommend it."
More than any other day of the year, I get asked one question over and over--
"You going to go out and get drunk?"
As someone who doesn't drink, I always feel a little awkward answering this question. When I do, I sound like I'm admitting to being a strict follower of some astringent religion or a character from Happy Days.
"No," I say, "I don't drink."
In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I have had drinks. I've had about three drinks in my entire life, but I've never been drunk nor do I drink regularly.
There isn't any ethical or moral reason I don't drink. When I was younger I made a joke about the fact that my parents never cared if I had a drink or not, and I wasn't interested in doing anything that would constitute being rebellious.
Then again, my parents don't drink either, so we never had any alcohol in the house. I never really saw poeple drinking, and when I did, they always looked kind of...foolish.
When I was very young, my aunt slipped me a sip of wine, and I remember not liking the taste at all. Maybe that memory stuck with me, because to this day I won't have wine--even for toasts. I just hold the glass up and hope nobody notices when I give it to whomever is sitting next to me.
Lately, it seems like my lifestyle--mixed with the fact that I'm a bit of a control freak--is keeping me sober. I'm always the driver, never the passenger. I like having my wits about me at all times.
Usually people joke with me about it at first, but then they're grateful when they realize there won't be a fight over who the designated driver is going to be. Plus, it helps to have someone around who can actually remember what occurred on any given night.
I've come to believe it's actually more fun to stay sober and watch those around you drink. I've even made up a joke about it. Now when people ask me if I plan on drinking, I say--
"I don't drink, but I highly recommend it."
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