Why I don't drink

[skygirlpc 0]

Hey guys,
After getting slightly pushed (at my dz) to drink I needed a place to vent. I am 23 and have never really drank at all. Not because I can't, but because I choose not to. So far I have not found an alcoholic beverage that I like, granted I'm not looking very hard! But I see no reason to start what could possibly end up being a very damaging habit. As far as I can see the cons of drinking strongly out way the pros and because of that I feel that it should be alright for me to drink a cold pepsi instead!
I'm very interested in you guys response. I'm not coming down on anyone that drinks, I just chose a different route. I don't feel that I am better or worse than anyone that drinks and I only ask for that same respect in return!
Sorry that you guys had to listen to me rant! I'll be quite now.

[jtval 0]

I honestly thought the title said
Why I dont THINK! I was taken aback. haha

dont start now. if I could quit I would....it'd be a whole lot more jumps I could afford. but i get to the point where I wanna sit and enjoy a beer after the days worth of skydiving. I see no harm in being a freak...er..I mean non-drinker!

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[gus 1]

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I see no reason to start what could possibly end up being a very damaging habit.

You'd best quit skydiving then!
Seriously though, I have a few friends who don't drink and it's perfectly cool. Anyone who gives you shit is simply insecure about their own use of alcohol.

Gus

OutpatientsOnline.com

[PLFXpert 0]

I feel the same way about drugs. My family drinks, I drink, I just try not to get sloppy. I know my limits and almost always stop when I've reached them.

But, I feel the same way about drugs...I never did them in high school (well, except pot) and still haven't to this day. I don't want to put anything in my body that some stranger conjured up in his basement. I also, tend to get every side effect on the label of prescription drugs and I worry that I would be the ONE person to have an ill effect from them. I'm 22, I've made it this far w/out them, I always have a damn good time w/out them, so why start now?

[PhreeZone 20]

I don't drink much either and its never been an issue at the DZ. I'll get totally snockerd once and a while at boogies or when Wildblue and I sit around a fire and pass a cheap Kentucky straight burbon whiskey bottle back and forth (NOT recommended!), but for the most part I just have a soda and enjoy watching others get drunk.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Lizard 0]

Sounds good to me. Whats works for others isnt always for everyone and I respect your choice of not drinking. When people offer you a drink, just say "no thankyou". After a while they will realize that you simply dont drink alcohol and that will be the end of that.

[PLFXpert 0]

I also, want to add, that people who do shouldn't be so agressive about getting others to, too. I'm not speaking from personal experience b/c I always do what I want regardless of what people say.

However, a friend of mine who had just started skydiving had never tried any drugs. I know it was this person's choice to try them...but, had it not been for all these people at the DZ encourageing the person to try it, come on, all skydivers do it..blah, blah, blah...then I don't think this person would have ever tried them.

I think, do what you want to your own body, don't judge people who do or don't do drugs and don't try to push your views onto anyone else; meaning, if you don't do drugs, don't push people who do to quit, and if you do do drugs, don't push people who don't to start.

Just mind your own damn business

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Casch 0]

I've never been a big fan of alcohol myself...of course I'm only 17

[PhillyKev 0]

You're probably being pressured because you aren't putting out and they want to get you drunk to take advantage of you. Just start putting out and they won't care if you drink or not

Just kidding. I enjoy a good beer or glass of wine or bowl of grain on occasion , but if I never got into it I probably wouldn't miss it. Don't sweat it, do what you want.

[chachi 0]

Straight up, if someone goves you attitude about not drinking you should tell them to GET BENT. First of all it is none of there business whether you do or do not drink. Secondly, peer preasure is for grade 6 when you have no idea of who you are. I hate it when people don't realize that we should all live by the " To each there own " rule. Good for you for making your decisions and sticking to them.

~chachi

[happythoughts 0]

Hmmm...no tequila for her. Note to self - write this one off.

Hey, you don't want to drink. Don't. Don't explain either. It is nobodys business. I have a friend who quit drinking and he drinks Coke/Pepsi at all dz events. No one cares. This is a non-problem. (For me maybe, chasing drunk chickies is my only hope ).

[Slowfaller 0]

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. if I could quit I would

Did you mean to word it like that? Or if you wanted to quit you would..? Do you get the shakes and puke when you don't drink? Maybe JT needs an intervention.

Chris

--"Someday you will die and somehow somethings going to steal your carbon" -MM

[Sonic 0]

I drink, but I try not to over do it. It doesn't always work, but hey. Last year, at the pub with my friends, I'd be drinking coke most of the time. It's quite funny watching people getting more and more drunk, plus the conversations are always good

-----------------------------------
It's like something out of that twilighty show about that zone

[PLFXpert 0]

He heh e....yea, usually when I've got a good buzz, I switch to coke or water and by that time, everyone else is too drunk to notice;-)

[christoofar 0]

Skygirl, there is nothing wrong with being dry.

There is, however, something wrong with forcing other people to stop or give up something unless of course it's an intervention (the person is ill, have to take away car keys, (s)he’s endangering lives, etc...).

[rant alert]
I am a smoker... I cannot live without the shit and I get VERY irritable when I haven't smoked in a while. Yes, I have tried to quit, numerous times. I cannot stand these holier-than-thou individuals who get on their pious asses and spew forth lies about how egregious my smoking is. Several of my “friends” who get all bent out of shape over my smoking have done pot themselves. How quick we are to judge!
[/rant alert]

Anyway, you should never be pressured by anyone to do something you don't want to do, but it's going to happen every now and then. Some people can’t read your signals or don’t know that you don’t do X Y or Z. Just be forceful, yet polite. If that doesn't work then do what I do: become a buzzkill and get very mean or simply get up and walk out. IMHO, getting up and walking out is much more effective at getting a point across.

____________________________________________________________
I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle.

[SudsyFist 0]

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and have never really drank at all.

right there with ya... not a drop! and see how cool i am?

steve

[wmw999 2,584]

If you hang out long enough they'll get used to it. Of course, there's no reason they should have to, but that's a reflection on the DZ folks and not you.

"No thanks" should be sufficient. If pressed, "I don't like it" is plenty more. Many people have never tried tripe, and wouldn't if it were offered, too

Just remember that drunk people are mostly interseting to other drunk people -- they just want to be interesting to you!

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[DYEVOUT 0]

Tripe is best with. . . . . . BEER !!

----------------=8^)----------------------
"I think that was the wrong tennis court."

[AggieDave 6]

Fark'em You don't have to drink and they should respect that.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[ChileRelleno 0]

Your not alone, plenty of people here and in the skydiving community don't drink. I don't use coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco or harmful drugs. I've very very rarely ever gotten put down at a DZ or elsewhere for my not drinking. Anyone who puts you down for your preference doesn't deserve the time of day and is a immature individual. Folks who are worthy of association and friendship could care less if you drink or not...

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[TB99 0]

I quit drinking about 3 months ago ... I love it now! I didn't quit because of some bad incident or because how I get when I drink or anything like that, lol ... I just quit because I wanted to.
It saves me a lot of money, I'm not killing my braincells anymore, I still have a ton of fun anyways, I'm religious, so I guess it helps in that sense too, hehe.
A lot of ppl at the DZ are always offering free beer now that I quit, figures, but when I turn it down, they don't force it on me. They've been pretty cool about it, CURIOUS, but cool.
I dunno what the main reason why I quit was, but I've enjoyed it since I have and probably will keep without it now.

Don't worry about it, and don't start if you don't want to!

Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked!

[jlmiracle 7]

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You're probably being pressured because you aren't putting out and they want to get you drunk to take advantage of you. Just start putting out and they won't care if you drink or not

I don't think you are too far off here. It is probably why they are pushing the alcohol. They want to become more attractive to you.

I don't drink anymore - body just can't take it and I really don't like the taste.

Most people are thrilled when they find out I don't drink because that makes me the designated driver.

Good luck and don't take any shit from them.


Judy

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[TB99 0]

[replyMost people are thrilled when they find out I don't drink because that makes me the designated driver.

[Snowbird 0]

Random thoughts about this...
*When I first started jumping this spring, being offered a drink was part of the social acceptance of the group. To me it didn't mean, 'Stay and get drunk,' it meant, 'You're welcome to stay and hang out.' Sometimes I accepted, sometimes not. I don't drink much. Regardless, I never got flack.

*I've also been offered pot, and my firm but polite, 'No I don't smoke' is all it takes.

*If I want to stay after the beer light is on, but don't want to drink, I bring along something different but non-alcoholic to drink or munch on. It serves the same end as a beer, by setting the tone for unwinding and relaxing.

*If someone gets very pushy, I respond by confronting them with the unwelcome pressure they're applying. 'Are you trying to pressure me into drinking/smoking when I've made it clear I'm not interested?' or 'Are you trying to make me feel guilty for not doing what you want me to?' I haven't had to use that at the dropzone, but I had some friends awhile back who kept 'encouraging' me to smoke pot. After I confronted them, they stopped, and all was well.

*Offer no apologies for your choices. If they think you might be persuaded, they'll keep trying. Be firm and unapologetic. It's really none of their business.

*Stick around, and have fun!

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

[WFFC 1]

Drinking is a personal choice if you want to or not. Most of the time I don't, but on ocassion, a nice margarita or a microbrew does taste good...

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~~~Michael