<p>I go to parties without drinking and have loads of fun.</p>
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<p>You can do quite a bit of social networking at parties. Cross-cultural connection-building that you know, has an impact on the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Release your inhibition and down that handle of captain.</p>
<p>honestly, not drinking is a way to look down on people to compensate for a lack of self-esteem. at least that’s true for young people, older people who don’t drink are recovering alcoholics.</p>
<p>it’s kind of like being vegetarian but not really, vegetarians usually have self-esteem but are stuck up pricks or *****es</p>
<p>To be fair, there ARE well-adjusted people who simply choose not to drink, just as there ARE well-adjusted people who simply choose not to eat meat.</p>
<p>What they do not do is complain about how they’re a social outcast BECAUSE they don’t drink or are vegetarian. Because the fact is, those things alone simply will not ostracize you; if you honestly have trouble being social, there are other issues involved.</p>
<p>some people don’t need to drink; I know this crazy dancer Indian Sikh guy who’s the loudest and wildest guy ever. </p>
<p>But since he is religiously devout he doesn’t drink but it doesn’t prevent him from having a great time at a party.</p>
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I hope you just fail at being funny…</p>
<p>I agree with finding other activities, like clubs and organizations with some type of purpose. International students also are usually less interested in drinking, although some certainly do. My cousin went to a big drinking school. She was in the honors college, but she said they just drank even more because they didn’t have any trouble with the work. Her group of non-drinking friends was a bible group. If you are religious, finding a group through that would probably work, and if not, an activity or international one. A higher percentage of nerds don’t drink as well, so you could try that. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>The thing is, the human body CAN’T NOT like being drunk. Once you drink enough you’ll like it, you can’t help it.</p>
<p>However you probably don’t like the idea of being drunk, not having full control, etc.</p>
<p>Just fyi, your social life for the REST OF YOUR LIFE will be hampered if you don’t drink. There’s a reason alcohol is seen at nearly every social gathering, and it’s not because people like the taste.</p>
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<p>I guess I was drunk when I was writing this reply :)</p>
<p>"Just fyi, your social life for the REST OF YOUR LIFE will be hampered if you don’t drink. There’s a reason alcohol is seen at nearly every social gathering, and it’s not because people like the taste. "</p>
<p>I disagree. However, you will have to make a very conscious effort to be particularly outgoing and sociable if you don’t drink, unless you naturally have those characteristics.</p>
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<p>What makes you think that? The VAST majority of vegetarians are vegetarians for religious reasons. I think people that pick on vegetarians usually stuck up bricks or *****es. </p>
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<p>That’s not true at all. Many people’s bodies don’t like alcohol. As a few have pointed out, some people are allergic to alcohol, some people can’t process alcohol correctly, and so on.</p>
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<p>Blatantly untrue statement in so many ways. Yes, there is alcohol at nearly every social gathering. However, once you’re out of high school and/or college, you are no longer looked down on for not drinking by the vast majority of people. My father is one of those who is always the life of the party (unfortunately, I did not inherit this out-going trait) and he has been drunk maybe 6 times in my whole life. My social life is already not hampered and I’m in college. You have a very sad out look on life IMO.</p>
<p>The insults and rudeness of posters toward the OP who chooses not to drink serves to underscore one reason that the OP may prefer not to go to drinking parties. </p>
<p>The OP’s choice doesn’t mean he or she is “inhibited” or needs to “grow up.” It doesn’t mean he or she has “a lack of self-esteem.” And the OP is not complaining of being a “social outcast;” to the contrary, he or she is seeking to be more social with those who have similar interests.</p>
<p>Umcp11 had some excellent suggestions to answer the OP’s question rather than insult him or her. Other ideas for activities outside of studying might be a religious group (if you are religious–might be hard to find but most campuses have several) or a community service group.</p>
<p>I feel in the same way! But I don’t think it’s a big deal. I am just not fond of alcohol. It’s just about like or dislike, the habit. That’s it. So… whatever. Do what you want, what make you happy! :)</p>
<p>Alcohol abuse is very culture centric. Americans have a hard time believing this ;-)</p>
<p>Personally, I have never been drunk, but in my youth not for lack of desire. Unfortunately, my taste buds won out every time, and demanded I stop hurting them with the swill aka beer on hand.</p>
<p>In addition to the above suggestions, see if there is a Film Society on your campus. They will have events Friday & Saturday nights, usually involving movies, sometimes speakers or costumes (Rocky Horror!) and they seem to be a fun group of smart kids. </p>
<p>And the refreshments tend to be popcorn & soft drinks.</p>
<p>I admire your decision for not drinking. I myself don’t drink either. I honestly don’t do anything to put illegal substances in my body and I’m proud of it. I used to drink but it is true. It turns you into a person you’re not and I started hating that person. You will find people where ever you go that do drink and don’t drink. Just keep your eyes open. I went to a party on Friday at Fredonia, while visiting a friend and all of my friends except the driver drank and I did feel a little bit uncomfortable at first, but then I just watched how dumb everyone got and how all of these girls just looked so unbelievably slutty and that depressed with their real personality that they have to hang over every guy in arms reach. Quite funny to be honest. Keep you rpiorities straight and one of these days you’ll find other people who are doing the same thing and slowly bond over your wise decisions.</p>
<p>Shockingly, drinking and acting like a stereotypical frat bro do not go hand in hand. .</p>
<p>If you don’t use drugs, you’re either 1: an obnoxious puritan, like Sean Hannity and Hitler, or 2: so weak-willed that you actually believe in the “law” or whatever stupid ideals you cling to, hoping to avoid the chaos and injustice inherent to living</p>
<p>Also, **** beer, drink whiskey.</p>
<p>Use is not abuse.</p>
<p>my brain produces its own drugs</p>
<p>now if you’re talking about lysergic acid diethylamide, now that is the ****</p>
<p>I don’t drink to get drunk, and I don’t drink to entertain my friends.</p>
<p>That being said, my best friend (and now possibly my girlfriend) drinks to get buzzed and I don’t judge her for it. I just take care of her, make sure no one grabs her, drive her home and tuck her in. </p>
<p>But I still go out. You don’t have to drink. I tell people how focused I am on MMA training, conditioning and staying healthy and they tend to be understanding. Occasionally a guy comes around who starts telling you how much he dislikes you for not drinking, but just tell him to take a hike or that you’re driving and be on your way.</p>
<p>You don’t have to be a social shut in.</p>
<p>Take a bottle of water and enjoy the laughs. If you feel out of place for not drinking, take my word for it, no one at that party is looking at you and talking about how weird it is that you’re not drinking. They really could care less. I had to learn on my own that we’re not main characters in some novel or story. We’re all just a bunch of people who only care about what we care about, which is usually minuscule.</p>
<p>I try to drink one beer every now and then because I’ve read that it’s good for your heart. I never drink more than one beer though. I know what it’s like to be in your position.</p>