Non drinking in Australia is socially unacceptable

[Warrigal]

At the very least it is socially problematic according to this study.

University of Adelaide PhD student considers why non-drinkers viewed with 'suspicion'

891 ABC Adelaide

Tue 3 Nov 2015, 9:52am



Non-drinkers are regarded "as a bit suspicious", a University of Adelaide student studying the alcohol habits of Australians says. "Drinking is for many people something that is very ingrained in their social life, something they tend to do with friends and it has a lot of meaning attached to it ... to celebrate, to commiserate, to celebrate achievements," Ashlea Bartram told 891 ABC Adelaide.

"To not drink risks losing all those meanings that we attached to the drinking. You're rejecting not just the drink, but the celebration and all the experiences."

For her PhD, Ms Bartram is studying people over the age of 25 because she says there has been quite a bit of research done into younger drinkers.
"Alcohol's something that permeates our society right through the age groups," the public health student said. "I'm looking at people who've made a substantial change, either stopped drinking or cut back within the last year."Listeners were keen to share their views via text messages as Ms Bartram outlined her research.

"As someone who doesn't drink, I find it easier at social functions now to just have a red wine that I hold," said one. "No-one notices that you don't actually drink it, but they notice and go on and on if you don't have one in your hand."

Ms Bartram agreed the perception you were drinking alcohol made it easier to get on with others in some social settings.
"The other one that's quite common is the glass of soda water with the lime wedge in it. It could easily [be assumed to] have vodka in it," she said.

'Moral tone' surrounds alcohol use

Another listener Jack said: "I drink very little alcohol in relation to my friends and I get the sense they feel I'm judging them when they get boozy, that I'm taking the high moral ground or something."

Ms Bartram said there seemed to be a strong moral tone around alcohol and its use. "I don't know if this goes right back to your prohibition era and the temperance movement," she said. "It can be another one of those reasons why you don't want to make too big a deal about not drinking."Listener Matt, aged 24, summed up a common view which was expressed in the text messages sent to 891 ABC Adelaide.

"People do expect you to explain yourself when you're not drinking," he wrote.

It also was suggested women might face the suspicion they were pregnant if they were not drinking alcohol.
"Pregnancy [questions] are certainly one that women of a certain age encounter," Ms Bartram agreed.

Listener Jo wrote that pregnancy might not be people's only suspicion of someone who was not drinking in a social setting.
"I don't drink and am constantly having to explain I am not an alcoholic," her text said.

Alcohol advertising can reinforce community perceptions

Ms Bartram said advertising helped cement community perceptions about alcohol use.



"It helps to build those images that we have in our head where we associate alcohol with particular occasions like sport or like relaxing at a party or a beach or something like that," she said. "We see these images in those advertisements and we think perhaps we can have that emotion too if we drink alcohol."

As for drink-driving ad campaigns and laws promoting safe driving, Ms Bartram said: "The changes around driving and alcohol have definitely made it a little bit easier.""There are people who are not drinking on occasions or will cut things short earlier in the night," she said. "In fact that has become an excuse that some people seem to use a lot of the time, they'll put their hand up to be the designated driver. People get that."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-03/alcohol-drinking-phd-research-attitudes/6907358

Hubby and I are now teetotal although we were once fairly heavy drinkers. Since giving it up we have lost certain friends and at least once have not been invited to a party by a good friend because we "probably wouldn't enjoy ourselves because we didn't drink alcohol".

Drinkers and non drinkers alike, what has been your experience of non drinking at social gatherings?

 

[imp]

"Drinkers and non drinkers alike, what has been your experience of non drinking at social gatherings"

In my younger days, meaning newly married, small circle of friends who got together often, drinking was no different than smoking. Russ & Ted, best friends, Russ smoked and drank plenty, Ted did not smoke, drank very moderately. Charlie, our mutual friend from high school days, did neither. All through those years of activity, playing softball sometimes 7 days a week, Russ never once urged me to light up with him. Peer pressure was apparently far less evident than in later years. IMO. imp

 

[Falcon]

I'll hafta admit, they DO put a crimp in the atmosphere @ parties.

 

[SeaBreeze]

My mother never drank anything, she really didn't care for even a beer. When my father took her out for special occasions, even for New Year's Eve celebrations, she just drank Ginger Ale. I don't think back then anyone thought twice about it, or questioned what she was drinking. If someone's not drinking liquor at a party, I don't think much about it, it's none of my business and it doesn't affect whether they're a nice or fun person to be around.

 

[Underock1]

I think the study is correct. For the brief time I was single and in our early years as a couple it was expected that you would drink. I had one boss, a single Irishman, who really pressured our department to have a drink after work. I guess he had no place to go. I wanted to get home to my wife. Whether its true or not, because of our culture, people do feel like they are being judged by the non-drinker. We all know that, red wine aside, alcohol is not good for us. Even if they do not feel judged, the presence of a non-drinker brings on a guilty conscience.

 

[AprilT]

In my 20's and most of my 30's I never ordered drinks when I went anywhere, more often than not back in those days, at least when I was in my 20's, no one cared as much, only later in life and especially these days do I, occasionally, have a drink and yes, people do seem weirded out when I say no to alcohol in social situations as if I'm a pariah. Sometimes I find this disturbing and annoying from those who seem bothered when I'm not drinking. People often times do label you a party pooper, wonder if maybe you are a recovering alcoholic or something or other. To be clear, I'm not against people drinking, I do indulge, just not often, I just don't like being made to feel I need to drink every time I'm out with people at some group function where alcohol is served just because it's there. I would be perfectly content attending alcohol free parties and events period, but, that's not going to happen.

I was always as much fun at the party as the next person in my sober state. layful: Now I'm just old and beat up, so don't expect me to be as much fun even if inebriated. Hicup.

 

[mitchezz]

I think it may be changing. I have several nieces and a nephew who don't drink because they are into going to the gym and eating healthily. When I was married I often didn't drink because I was the designated driver. Don't remember being hassled about it.....but the memory is fading.

I would never question someone's decision not to drink.......they may well be an alcoholic and they wouldn't need the pressure.

 

[Cookie]

It doesn't concern me whether someone drinks or doesn't. I didn't drink any alcohol for a long time at one point in my life, and went to many parties and had a good time. I barely drink at all anymore now either, although an occasional glass of wine at dinner is nice or a beer on occasion. People don't drink for many reasons, religion, health, alcoholics, budgets, or they just don't like the taste. Everyone is free to do as they wish.

 

[Manatee]

As one gets further into geezer territory, medications become necessary that prohibit any booze at all. I miss having a nip of Amaretto, a Gin & Tonic or a Pina Colada once in a while.