Try this....
My big problem and one that I encountered last Friday is that people that I know get weirded out that I don't drink with them when I go to bars or concerts with them.
They constantly are asking me why and I would feel foolish explaining to them empty calories, ext....
My g/f even was weirded out last friday when i went to a bar with her and didnt drink. Caused some friction actually
If you can't impress them with the health argument, get sneaky.....
I know it shouldnt be necessary, but I do it here too sometimes. In China men drink. Bottom line. Now me being a very moderate drinker doesnt fit in with the plans of most of my male business partners or associates. In China, if a man doesn't drink, it means he must be on special medication for a sex disease.... I am not kidding. Remember, this is the country where it is still widely believed that smoking is healthy for men but dangerous for women..... Anyhow, refusing to drink could really sour a business deal or offend a host.
Here is what I do....
Most of my associates love to play loud and racous drinking games involving cocktails of brandy and cold green tea (Naaaaaaaasty!!!). Everyone is expected to drink and play the games.
Fine.
I go to the bar first and get a bottle of green tea myself, then keep it on the chair next to me. Everytime the boys get all fired up and start the drinking and shouting, (another big part of Chinese drinking) I use the distraction to fill my glass with a little more green tea. Works every time and gets easier and easier the drunker they get. They think I am drinking and being part of the group and are ever amazed at my alcohol tolerance. The next day they have killer hangovers and I feel fantastic! No sex diseases required!
What I used to do back home was similar. I would go the bar and order a diet coke or soda water. Plain water wasn't so good since it didnt have bubbles. For the rest of the night I would slam back those "Gin and Tonics" or "Rum and Cokes" and no one felt I wasn't "part of the crowd". If someone bought me a drink I would thank them and either give it to another friend (I hate rum and coke, here you have this and I will go get a vodka-7) or conveniently put it down somewhere and forget about it.... Works like a charm!
I know it sucks to have to do such things, and people really should respect the fact some of us are doing things for other reasons than getting hammered, but if a soda or tonic water in your hand can give the illusion of conformity, might just save you a headache or 2.
sirant
...since I sometimes like to hang out in bar/clubs with my friends, I'm willing to fake the booze a bit for their comfort level.