A matter of taste
Yes, you read that right. I don't like alcohol. And no, it's not because I'm a killjoy, an ascetic, or an extraterrestrial. It's simply a matter of taste. Just like some people don't like chocolate, olives, or blue cheese, boldly affirming my temperamental character, I don't like alcohol 🍷👎.
However, it hasn't always been this way. I had the 'sorry' syndrome for a long time, and during my college years, I wanted to fit in and do what everyone else was doing. When offered, I said yes, but I hated it. The taste was terrible, regardless of the type of alcohol, whether sparkling or not, strong or not, I found it disgusting. Even worse than my taste buds on their deathbed, as soon as I started drinking, my fear of not being in control activated, and I quickly felt uncomfortable when the effects of disinhibition set in 😅.
I didn't like alcohol, but if I forced myself to drink, at least people left me alone...
The social pressure of alcohol
Yes, the biggest problem is that alcohol is omnipresent in our society, whether in moments of celebration, relaxation, or conviviality. I think I'm not the only one who has noticed that it is considered a social lubricant and a symbol of joy and sharing for many people. Lionel Davy, a professor of social psychology at the University of Aix-en-Provence, explains:
"Not drinking can be considered an 'anomaly' since consumption is a norm, a social lubricant. By refusing a drink, you refuse to adhere to a social symbolism."
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That's not all, as a bit of blemmophobia is added to this 👀. Indeed, sociologist Ludovic Gaussot believes that non-drinkers are perceived as awkward witnesses to the behavior of people who have lost their inhibition.
👉 In short, if we don't drink, we are suspected of being judgmental because we have all our faculties... As a result, 20% of people still feel pressure to consume alcohol (according to a study by the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education).
Why don't I drink? Well, for personal reasons
Personally, I'm tired of being seen as different, marginal, and even feeling excluded because I refuse to drink. According to a 2022 study by the World Health Organization (WHO), 12% of the world's population does not consume alcohol for health reasons or personal or religious convictions.
If I mentioned the taste of alcohol as the main reason for me, it also hides a trauma. I experienced alcoholism in my family environment, and it deeply marked me. We don't know what lies behind a person who doesn't want to drink. These are reasons that concern us, sometimes simple, like taste, sometimes much heavier, like traumatic personal experiences.
I completely understand that some people enjoy drinking, that it brings them pleasure, relaxation, conviviality. I respect their choice, but I ask that my choice be respected as well, without disparaging comments or debates about 'why I don't drink.' 👋
In conclusion, stop annoying us!
I am against this alcohol culture that makes us believe that we cannot live without it, that we cannot have fun without it, that we cannot be sociable without it. Just because we don't drink, it doesn't mean we like losing all our faculties, that we are killjoys 🙄.
We are simply people who have chosen not to drink, but that doesn't mean you should annoy us with arguments that don't hold water. So please, my drinking friends, stop forcing us. Don't try to find out why, as it can revive certain wounds and/or annoy us. Just because we don't drink doesn't mean we're not fun people, I promise 😉.
Editorial opinion: The importance of respecting individual choicesYou understood it, it is important to respect individual choices regarding alcohol consumption. Each person should be free, without experiencing pressure or judgment. Moreover, despite its social acceptance, alcohol can have devastating consequences. So don't hesitate to assert yourself! However, if you feel uncomfortable or judged for your choice not to drink or if you have traumas related to alcohol, psychological counseling can be beneficial to help you manage these situations.
🤗 Understanding oneself, accepting oneself, being happy... It's here and now!
#BornToBeMe
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