I'm not straight-edge, I just don't drink or get high.

I live sober. I haven't always, but right now I do. I don't put mind-altering chemicals into my body. I'm not straight-edge, I'm not big into the hardcore movement, I don't make a statement out of abstinence. I merely find that I have more friends left in the morning if I don't drink.

So I'm at a gig or I'm in a pub or wherever, and I'll be offered a drink.

I say "thanks, but I don't drink".

If I'm punked-up, the first response will usually be "ah right, straight-edge, hardcore!"

I'll say "no, I just prefer orange juice".

"Go on, have a pint then, it won't hurt you!"

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't drink".

"You've never had alcohol? Ever?"

"I have in the past, but I don't want one now".

"Look, if you want me to fuck off, just don't be rude about it".

"No, it's not that. I'm a recovering alcoholic, I don't want a drink".

"Oh shit, sorry".

Does it really need to go that far? I mean seriously! Does anyone else have this issue of people being weird and pushy about alcohol or drugs?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cpt. Oblivious on October 9, 2010 at 5:29pm

I drink (and do some drugs) but if I'm offering someone either and they refuse, I'm not going to be pushy, if they say "I don't drink" then, if anything, I'd use that as a way to start up a conversation.

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Permalink Reply by Segadoway on October 12, 2010 at 12:12am

Orange Juice still kicks arse.

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Permalink Reply by CorpseQueen on October 12, 2010 at 2:51am

damn right it does!! nom nom nom

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Permalink Reply by CorpseQueen on October 12, 2010 at 2:48am

i dont drink, smoke, or do drugs and growing up ive constantly been nagged and pushed to do things i dont want (particularly alcohol). family, friends, strangers, it seems like everyone wants me to drink and very very few respect my choice not to. so far, i dont feel like its ever going to change, like its something im going to have to fight for for the rest of my life but..oh well, thats what ill be doing then. *shrugs*

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Permalink Reply by Sniff on October 12, 2010 at 3:45pm

I'm 40 years old and I still don't drink. My mother was killed by a drunk driver some years back. To this day I don't drink, and i get shit for it. So people seem to think it's funny when they proceed to tell me stories of how they drove drunk home the night before, and how they almost took out a mailbox or whatever on their way. They of course know that my mother was killed by someone just like them, but they continue with their little story.

So I usually let 'em have it, and it's hard sometimes to bite my tongue and not say shit like "well, I hope your mother gets killed by a drunk driver too then!". I of course don't mean it, who in their right mind would?! But to make them STFU they put me in the position of tongue lashing 'em until they finally do STFU.

Not only do you NOT have to drink, you have the fuckin' freedom to NOT have to explain why you do not drink as well.

I don't do drugs either, but don't care if others do. As long as it doesn't bother me and you don't impose it on me, go fry your brain.

Now I have a personal issue with straight edgers. When I grew up in the 80's, admitting that you were part of some retarded little club of whining pussies who called themselves "straight edge" would land you a beat down. Always. Don't do what you abhor. A subculture community is not necessary. Don't like having sex? Stay celibate them, dipshit. I have a passionate hatred for dogs. I should seek out other likeminded punk dog haters and start a scene too! See how stupid straight edge is?

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Permalink Reply by Gigs McGee on October 12, 2010 at 6:11pm

props to you.
mad props to you.

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Permalink Reply by Gigs McGee on October 12, 2010 at 6:11pm

cept the dog part ={

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Permalink Reply by Sniff on October 12, 2010 at 7:43pm

I don't hate dogs as in "I'm going to kick me a dog!". We just had 8 bull Mastiffs in our home as a kid, and I've just had bad experiences with 'em. I just won't own a dog, guess I should rephrase that.