I drank diet coke on my 18th birthday.
Unlike the majority of my peers who awaited the chance to guzzle down alcopops, I shunned the teenage rite of passage like an egregiously high pair of heels.
With Aussies knocking back 10 litres of pure alcohol each year each year, approximately 2.2 standard beverages per day per person, we possess a national drinking culture so pervasive that beers and booze are as customary as beaches and barbeques.
Me? I would be lucky to consume 2.2 alcoholic beverages in one year let alone 24 hours and it has nothing to do with God, an ailment, or a bun in the oven.
I was just never interested in drinking. Contrary to many others, I didn’t grow up in a family where social situations were fuelled by liquor. Even as an adult engaging in gatherings which involve alcohol, I’m still not up for it.
Although girls hiking their skirts up to their ovaries kind of repelled me from the drink, it’s just not my thing. The taste, the effects, nor the empty calories quite do it for me.
Though, admittedly, the romantic idea of viewing a foreign film with a glass of red always tempted me, as did the mimosa which has something wonderfully ‘ladies who lunch’ about it.
But with a mimosa equating to a small donut in calories (and not tasting anywhere as delicious), I’m more inclined to wolf down the baked good. Unless I find myself along the white sands of a Caribbean island in the height of summer. And there are no patisseries within a 40 km radius.
Top Comments
Honestly, I just hate the taste (and empty calories) of alcohol. That's it. REALLY.
Yes, I am religious, but my lack of desire for alcohol is unrelated to my beliefs. I hang out with tons of people who drink and don't so much as bat an eyelid at them. Good for them, but not for me:)
I relate to this so much! I'm actually only 17 and am just about to turn 18 and I'm finding it difficult to find things to do to celebrate as my friends and family are drinkers. I used to drink very rarely when I was younger and had started because I was very socially awkward, but I never actually found the experience all that enjoyable. I then realized that I didn't need to harm my body to be sociable and had grown up with an alcoholic mother who I didn't want follow in the footsteps of, so one day I just decided not to drink anymore. It was no big deal for me as I'd never done it often, but my friends seemed to find it uncomfortable to drink around me even though I stressed to them that it was their decision, their bodies, not mine, so I didn't mind. I still have trouble telling people, especially those of my age, that I don't drink. I remember going to a social gathering and someone offered me a drink, to which I said "No thank you, I don't drink", the whole group was shocked and bombarded me with questions.
The worst experience I've had telling someone that I don't drink was to a 27 year-old woman who I thought would respect my decision, but she ended up literally telling me that I was wrong and that there was something wrong with me just because I choose not to drink. Although I think she was trying to make me feel guilty and make herself feel better about her drinking habits.
I am confident in my choice and believe that I will never again be a drinker.
My motto, though, is; To each their own.