I can think of lots of answers I would have liked back in the days when I crossed paths with someone who declined a drink ( and I pushed for details).
Me: Oh my god, really! You're so disciplined.
Them: Ha! I wish. I've got an early meeting tomorrow otherwise I'd be right there with you.
Me: omg, have you quit, like forever?
them: Are you kidding? I'm just trying to lose a few pounds.
Either I've had the good sense not to question a hardcore abstainer, or I've blocked out the memory of having done so.
I whole heartedly agree that people who hang their hopes on other people drinking are doing it to make themselves feel ok about their own drinking.
That being said, I still don't like when the subject comes up in a way that makes me feel like the room gets quiet and everyone is listening- and that has happened. It makes me feel nervous, self conscious and labeled. I deal with it by not spending too much time thinking about it. Thankfully, this is very feasible with my perimenopausal scatterbrained-edness.
I also STILL have bionic hearing on airplanes. It seems like I hear each and every syllabl when the drinks cart moves down the aisle, and someone orders an AL beverage.
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