LET'S TALK ABOUT: THE MODERN DRINKING CULTURE

As you can see, I'd much rather be brunchin' in Bill's with a cuppa in hand. To each their own, right?

For many reasons, meeting new people is something that I genuinely dread. They might be too judgmental for me. They might not laugh along to my ~hilarious~ jokes. They might notice the spot on my brow bone that never seems to go away. But the biggest reason of them all? Having to reveal that I don't drink.

Revealing something about myself that is such a minuscule part of my life shouldn't be so taxing – but it almost ~always~ is. When I tell people that I don't drink, I'm either greeted by shock and inquisition or a pat on the back and a 'well done you!' For the record, I hate the latter just as much as I hate the former. I don't owe you an explanation nor do you need to congratulate me. Just say okay and move on, short and sweet.

I read an article the other day that summed up my thoughts, second to none: "alcohol is so deeply embedded in British culture that it’s the only drug you have to justify not taking". I don't smoke weed, which is greeted by applause. I don't smoke cigarettes, which is seen as admirable. I've never even considered harder drugs than that, and that somehow makes me an excellent person. But not drinking? That makes me boring / weird / open to patronise (delete as appropriate). Well ~sssooorrrrrryyy~ for being different to you. I'll try to stick to the script next time.

Some people might think that my aversion to alcohol revolves around my health or that I prescribe to some kind of 'alternative' lifestyle. Well, those people would be wrong. In all honesty, my 'why' is pretty boring – alcohol is just not for me. I don't like the taste. I don't like the way it makes me feel. I don't like the way it makes others act. And, truthfully, I have much better things to spend my hard-earned money on. Despite the multitude of (mostly negative) reactions that I receive, I've never felt negative about that part of myself. I'm just me, pure and simple. Don't like that? Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Don't get me wrong – if you want to drink alcohol, be my guest. I have no agenda to stop others from doing what they enjoy, nor do I think everyone should think like me. I just want others to know that's it's okay ~not~ to drink alcohol. It doesn't make you boring. It doesn't make you weird. It doesn't mean you should be patronised. No matter how the media portrays it, no matter how much it seems to be embedded into our society – if its not for you, it's not for you. It's not a pastime that you ~have~ to take part in. If you enjoy alcohol, drink! If you don't, don't! And nobody should ever question you or instruct you otherwise.