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Giacomo Gambineri
Work happy hours, boozy brunches, festive bar crawlsthedrinking scenehas never been my thing.
Do I have a secret health problem?
Am I…pregnant?
The anticlimactic truth is…I simply dont like alcohol.
Even the fanciest espresso martini tastes terrible to me.
Oftentimes its more about the challenge ofsetting boundarieswithout feeling guilt and fear about disappointing others.
(Maybe youre worried about seeming uptight or less fun around your tipsy colleagues, for instance.
Or you dread standing out with your empty hand.)
Whatever the reason, I get it if youre not quite ready to confidently reply, No, thanks!
Actually, Im good with this mocktail.
Hold somethingit doesnt have to be alcohol.
Its a simple, nonconfrontational way to stand your ground and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.
Im really trying to save money right now.
(And if someone is pressuring you to cough up $20 for one drink?
Well, thats probably not someone worth trying to kindly anyway.)
I have to get up early tomorrow.
Just be prepared to stand your groundespecially if someone argues that onedrink cant possibly hurt.
Im driving after this.
A classic, but for good reason.
Im not supposed to drink with the meds Im taking right now.
(If you really want to cover your bases, blameantidepressants, painkillers, antibiotics, orIbuprofen.)
According to Dr. Hamdani, Most people wont pry into the details of your imaginary diagnosis.
Im trying to cut back.
Maybe youre participating in Dry January toimprove your healthin the New Year.
I have reallyyy bad diarrhea.
I cannot imagine a single counterargument to this one, she says.
Ugh, I hate how alcohol makes me feel.
Want to double-check your no lands smoothly without raising eyebrows or triggering intrusive questions?
Nah, Im good.
Just cut to the chase!
(But the truth is, choosing to abstain is just as valid as choosing to drink.)
Being upfront about your sobriety doesnt mean you have to be defensive or curt, though.
Remember,nois a complete sentenceone thats worth normalizing and embracing.
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