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RichardKennaway comments on Social Necessity of Drinking - Less Wrong Discussion

17 Post author: Raemon 13 February 2011 10:52PM

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Comment author: RichardKennaway 14 February 2011 11:16:06AM *  1 point [-]

Are there any good, cached buzzword phrases I can use that'll make it socially acceptable to not drink?

"An orange juice, please." (Or mineral water, or Coke, or whatever's your fancy.) Of course, this is all going to be culturally specific. In the U.K. it is socially acceptable not to drink alcohol. You do not have to excuse yourself and will not be asked to.

Comment author: mstevens 14 February 2011 01:40:36PM 3 points [-]

In my experience this isn't true - I've often had it queried.

Comment author: sabaton 14 February 2011 10:34:59PM 1 point [-]

I would agree with mstevens. My impression is that ordering anything other than a pint in a British pub tends to raise eyebrows. Indeed you probably do not have to excuse yourself, but your social standing may take a hit.

Comment author: mstevens 16 February 2011 12:18:29PM 1 point [-]

There's a possible confusing factor in my study that I've stopped drinking, so many people know me as someone who used to drink. But it still generally seems to trigger confusion and puzzlement.

I've also found that drunk people are not actually fun companions when you're not, which means I'm much less likely to end up in pubs in the first place.

Comment author: sabaton 16 February 2011 01:01:00PM 1 point [-]

Yes, it's less painful to be the only drunk person than the only sober person at the table

Comment author: Mercy 15 February 2011 12:15:41AM 0 points [-]

Depends on the social grouping, it's increasingly acceptable among the young.

Comment author: sabaton 16 February 2011 01:07:46PM *  1 point [-]

Interesting. There must be a sharp segmentation of the young, as part of them are apparently setting OECD records