mooky Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Is it just me, or have others too. I have cut out much of my social life as I am sick to death of the way some Brits react to me not drinking.I do have an occasional drink at home, but never when I am out. I drive therefore I don't drink and drive. Also one glass and I feel quite dizzy. I also hate red wine. Every social function I go to people try to force me to drink. They make comments like."the more you drink, the more you will be used to it" "What, you don't drink! why are you in France then"? "Oh don't be a chicken, you just have to learn how to avoid the Gerdarmes"On monday I went to the local Bastille do. There were two British men in their 60's fighting over a sausage roll. Both were slurred in speech, and could hardly walk. Another woman practically accosted me, and said "I must come and help her drink her cognac." Why is it considered by so many here as "big" to drink. I am so fed up with it. I now find most social occasions embarrasing and boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybananasbrother Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Just invent a health reason for not drinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trees 2 Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 "Invent" one? You mean the ones they tell you about aren't true? Damnation, back to the booze[:D]Seriously, wbb, good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybananasbrother Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 The pitying looks you get are a treat to see though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="mooky"]Is it just me, or have others too. I have cut out much of my social life as I am sick to death of the way some Brits react to me not drinking.Why is it considered by so many here as "big" to drink. I am so fed up with it. I now find most social occasions embarrasing and boring.[/quote] As a fellow non drinker (apart from the odd glass of wine with a meal).Just explain that you, personally, have never felt the need to resort to drugs in order to simply enjoy life.Or simply say "Not for me thank you, it gives me terrible wind" (I cleaned that up a bit [:)])Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="mooky"]Is it just me, or have others too. I have cut out much of my social life as I am sick to death of the way some Brits react to me not drinking.Why is it considered by so many here as "big" to drink. I am so fed up with it. I now find most social occasions embarrasing and boring.[/quote]Of course you are not alone, several people I know do not touch alcohol or wine, for various reasons, and I hardly ever do myself as it just makes me ill and never jolly.My friends all know that I don't drink, and accept it. But it is true that one of the side-effects of not drinking (husband cannot touch the stuff, for genuine medical reasons) is that people have stopped inviting us to so many expat "do's". It suits me fine. Occasionally we do go, and I often get a little bored when some people get so obviously drunk. It's the same with dope smokers, if you don't smoke you are definitely left out, surrounded by people who think they are being extraordinarily witty and clever, while they are being extraordinarily silly....BUT, don't you find that it is not just Brits who drink? I see my share of drunk Frenchmen at various celebrations, and it ain't a pretty sight! (Frenchwomen tend to drink themselves into a stupor at home more than in public). And then, those very inebriated Frenchmen will usually get into their car and drive - which is the REALLY worrying part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I often choose not to drink too but I end up being easily lead.When I go out and DON'T drink though, it seems to make no difference. I kind of get 'drunk' with the crowd. I also feel a bit smug that I am independent with my car, I won't have a headache and I can remind everyone what they did [6][:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 I have to say one of the worst offenders of drinking (hello dear) is my ex, hence him becoming my ex. Free booze and he's anybodys.He was well behaved on sat though. We are good mates, and he reads this x x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Was he the guy you met soon after moving mooky ? Or am I thinking of someone else ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I agree with you Mooky re the "Brit reunions" which is yet one more reason why I avoid them, I have also often found when phoning someone in the early evening that they sound half cut. I live in a glass house in this instance as I like a drink or two in the evening but have cut down drastically since arriving here, what worries me is that often these are families with young children.I find in general that most Brits accept non - drinkers even if they do still try to force alcohol on you when pi55ed, I find that most of them don seem to be able to enjoy themselves at functions without being inebriated, I worry for the long term future in this country for some of these families.However (again in general) I find that the French that do drink socially, and I am not talking about one apero but drinking/dancing soirees consume vast amounts yet never get lairy, they do however find it inconceivable that I do not want to keep pace with them.When I first arrived I was unable to tolerate alcohol due to liver damage from Malaria, it was not an acceptable excuse as far as they were concerned, I tried many and the only one that seems to work for me is to say that I am on anti-biotics for a sexually transmitted disease, this is accepted with a knowing wink and smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalpa Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="mooky"]Why is it considered by so many here as "big" to drink. I am so fed up with it. I now find most social occasions embarrasing and boring. [/quote]It is normally the alcoholics (in denial of course) who are affronted by me or my OH not being interested in getting ratted at the village events or in the local bar. We don't get invited to big expat parties or barbies or that sort of thing so it's not an attitude we encounter a lot but I do know what you mean. Yes there are always plenty of drunk Frenchmen (not usually women) but they don't get irritated by my preference for an Orangina rather than another bucket of cheap wine. That is a Brit thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'm an recovered alcoholic and I drink very little, not because I don't because I've been dried out twice (25 years ago) but because I've lost the taste for it.I used to love red wine and now, over the past two years, can't drink it unless it is very well watered so I tend not to drink it at all. Rose I can tolerate, just about, but no more than one glass ever.I see lots of Brits locally here who drink far too much and do it regularly and I think it's more than embarassing sometimes, especially when they're hunting in packs and they're old enough to know better. The same who are likely to 'tut tut' over binge drinking by yoof in the the UK, bit hypocritical that I think. Would make a good study to see what the level of alcohol related injuries/illness is with Brits in France.As for people who get miserable when you refuse (politely) a drink, I'm lucky because most of the local Brits who we ever socialise with don't ask me any more - and if they choose not to invite us because I don't drink, their loss as far as we're concerned. And I also tell people if they get insistant is that my chemo makes me projectile vomit if I drink alcohol - works a treat!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbiee Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="Catalpa"]It is normally the alcoholics (in denial of course) who are affronted by me or my OH not being interested in getting ratted at the village events or in the local bar. [/quote] One assumes you're qualified to diagnose alcoholism [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="Tony F Dordogne"] I also tell people if they get insistant is that my chemo makes me projectile vomit if I drink alcohol - works a treat!!! [/quote]Love it! That's even better than Ernie's wind excuse [:)]Edit: I do apologise Ernie, it's Bugbear that has the wind problem, allegedly [:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I like a drink, good grief, I've even been known to get drunk once in a while (although very infrequently might I add so please don't judge me by my Avatar!) but I would never think more or less of someone simply because they didn't drink and it would not cross my mind to exclude them from a social occasion because of it, well, maybe if it were a pub crawl, but then non drinkers are unlikely to want to participate in one of those anyway are they [:)]If that sort of think has happens in your social circle 5-element I'd say you're better off out of it and it's no loss.Cat: My tipple of choice is Guinness so I can be genuinely 'productive' in that department when occasion demands [6] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 Yes, that him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 All these typos, are you all really sure you don't drink? [:P] Hot int it. [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprogster Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sadly, retired expats and drink can tend to be synonymous, due to boredom more often than not and can be found in any country and with any nationality where expats congregate.Generally, having too much time on your hands is not good for your health and a long life expectancy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalpa Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="newbiee"] One assumes you're qualified to diagnose alcoholism [8-)][/quote]Well, if you'd like to tell me how much you drink, how often and the last time you had a day when you didn't have a drink, I'll have a stab at it. [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="Sprogster"]Sadly, retired expats and drink can tend to be synonymous, due to boredom more often than not and can be found in any country and with any nationality where expats congregate.Generally, having too much time on your hands is not good for your health and a long life expectancy! [/quote]I think this hits the nail right on the head Sprogster. Personally, I can open a lovely bottle of cold rose saturday lunchtime and drink it with my husband because we are in a good mood for example. Then it could go to another bottle, then something else. However, I am working so this will only occur on a Saturday but I can easily understand how easy it is to get a drink problem in retirement.I met some retired friends a few weeks ago who have bought in Spain. They were telling me about a German neighbour who used to be very smart and well liked. He fell into the boredom trap, and maybe connected alcohol with happiness (as I often do). Two years later, he is a very sad soul, scruffy with very little bladder control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 [quote user="mooky"]Yes, that him.[/quote]Oh dear, my illusions are shattered [:(]I'm sorry to hear that, glad to hear you are still friends though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I feel sorry for non-drinkers because when they get up in the morning, that's the best they are going to feel all day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I'm allergic to all alcohol... but only since i had my son 10 years ago... OH is happy as I always drive! [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 My dear wife does not drink and normally drives back from wherever we go, but I have just bought a new car and she says she will not drive it because it is too complicated...So, that's me on the wagon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 You mean you bought a new car without consultation [:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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