1) Are there any good, cached buzzword phrases I can use that’ll make it socially acceptable to not drink?
I suggest something along the lines of “Alcohol interferes with my medication” or “I’m allergic to alcohol”. There are also many people that would accept the answer “It’s against my religion”, but it might invite annoying follow-up questions. “I’m a recovering alcoholic” also might get people to back off as well.
Actually, now that I think about it some more, something along the lines of “I’m the designated driver” or “I need to drive home” would probably work pretty well, too.
I probably would have used “I’m the designated driver” more often, except that I don’t own a car, and am absolutely terrible at driving, and anyone who I’m going to meet more than the one time is eventually going to pick up on that. Also, the social functions I’m going to tend to happen in NYC, where driving just isn’t an issue much at all.
Not sure what I think about “I’m allergic to alcohol,” or any similar lie. Part of the issue is that I’m specifically missing out on business networking opportunities as well as friendship/dating opportunities, and people who I’m going to see over and over again will eventually notice the lie.
Agreeing with your inclination not to lie; it just looks foolish when you’re in a situation where the same reasoning won’t apply, and then it does look like you’re trying to cover something up.
I suggest something along the lines of “Alcohol interferes with my medication” or “I’m allergic to alcohol”. There are also many people that would accept the answer “It’s against my religion”, but it might invite annoying follow-up questions. “I’m a recovering alcoholic” also might get people to back off as well.
Actually, now that I think about it some more, something along the lines of “I’m the designated driver” or “I need to drive home” would probably work pretty well, too.
I probably would have used “I’m the designated driver” more often, except that I don’t own a car, and am absolutely terrible at driving, and anyone who I’m going to meet more than the one time is eventually going to pick up on that. Also, the social functions I’m going to tend to happen in NYC, where driving just isn’t an issue much at all.
Not sure what I think about “I’m allergic to alcohol,” or any similar lie. Part of the issue is that I’m specifically missing out on business networking opportunities as well as friendship/dating opportunities, and people who I’m going to see over and over again will eventually notice the lie.
Agreeing with your inclination not to lie; it just looks foolish when you’re in a situation where the same reasoning won’t apply, and then it does look like you’re trying to cover something up.