Dear members, What will your first impression be if you find out that a particular person is a teetotaler (one who abstains from alcohol)? Do you think he will have difficulty making friends and finding dates (because most social events involve drinking)?
Well.. personally, coming from someone who has seen the extreme negative effects of alcohol, I personally wouldn't mind it. In fact, knowing someone who doesn't drink, would actually be a refresher, and make me feel a bit more comfortable around them. I may not be "of age to drink" as it is now, but when I am, I can almost guarantee I WONT be drinking myself. As for the difficulty with friends or dates, I suppose it is a possibility. Though, honestly if a group of people can't respect their decision and their views on drinking and alcohol consumption, then they wouldn't be a group of people they would want to be around in the first place. Date wise, they could easily just find and meet people from a social event, or a place where drinking isn't involved.
I rarely drink so it would actually be ok. I think a person who abstains from drinking can still be ok at social events. You might be the designated driver and make lots of friends.
I know people who don't drink alcohol and they are good friends and I can't imagine it being a difficulty for me with dating or anything. Plenty of social events do not involve alcohol and even ones that do you do not necessarily need to drink. I mean, sure, if you're going to go to a bar or a rager, it might be odd not to drink, but most other events that involve alcohol, alcohol is very optional or secondary. There are a lot of things that would making dating harder for me, but this isn't one of them, even though I myself am, in some ways, a "partier". And as I always say, I don't look down on people who don't drink, so I hope they don't look down on me for drinking.
I am honestly not a big drinker myself and I only drink on the odd occasion so I wouldn't mind at all.. My uncle doesn't drink and he still knows how to have fun and joke around with family without it. You don't need to drink to have fun in life, so I would not have any problems with it at all.
I'm not of age to drink yet but I already find the thought of alcohol disgusting so it would be a major plus for me.
I would not mind this at all. I have had a couple friends drink themselves to death. I have no problem with alcohol in reasonable amounts, but I would definitely consider it a plus. I know I abstain from any alcohol when I am depressed or seriously stressed because it can become an issue, so I would totally understand.
When I turn of age I'm going to heavily abstain from drinking, as my family has a well documented history of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. I wouldn't mind if my significant other drank or not, as long as they weren't drunk, hammered or hung over 24/7 or abusive when they drank.
I don't care, I am underage so I do not drink. I have tasted wine though, and it is very good.. But even if I do socially drink as an adult, I will not judge someone for not doing it. It's not necessary, after all.
I very much doubt I'll be able to take alcohol in a safe way. My history with mental illness isn't particularly great. I'd rather keep myself mentally clean and untainted than risk spiralling into the escape alcohol would delude me into thinking I'd have, all for the sake of a little fun.
Hi Blossom85, I have not drank any alcoholic beverages yet. (I'm in my mid-twenties now.) I'm always being teased and made fun of for not drinking in my country but they dun seem to understand that its my personal preference. They seem to make it such that you are only cool and friendly if you drink. Some even told me that I will have difficulty socializing and finding dates due to this.
As long as the person refrains from acting pretentious and superior about it I don't think it would be a problem with me.
As for the questions you asked: 1) My first impression would be nothing major; they don't drink alcohol. I don't think any differently of people who drink or don't drink; there's not much of a character indication from that fact alone. 2) No, it shouldn't, unless you live in an unhealthy environment where drinking is the only form of socialisation worth mentioning. Most people like coffee or getting breakfast, and few will ask questions (or at least, most won't be negative about it) if you don't order alcohol at lunch or dinner. Alcohol is not a prerequisite to socialise. If your only socialisation is at bars or alcohol-driven parties, then that's a problem in and of itself; being drunk is not a character flaw, but you should engage with people while sober more than while drunk.
You can always just say you do not take it well. Which is true for me, anyways. I use to catch the mood of the people around me, so its not something that bothers anyone. You can drink fruit juice so nobody really cares on occasions you think people would notice... like cherry juice... and if you drink a mixture like banana and cherry juice people usually want to order the same... some fruit juice by the way usually has a very small amount of alcohol inside, red grape juice for example... just saying .