What makes you assume that everyone would be drunk? People can drink without getting drunk, you know. When I was in college I went to bars and parties with my friends. Some people drank and others didn’t at all. And those who did drink had varying amounts. Nobody cared.
If you associate drinking with being drunk, you’re probably not mature enough to handle alcohol. And to answer your original question, not drinking isn’t preventing you from making the friends you want. You can go to parties where those people hang out and not drink. Drinking alcohol won’t help you make friends. Putting yourself out there and socializing might.
Right , “If you associate drinking with” successfully socializing, you need to stop and reevaluate.
How bars card and how serious it is to them depends on how stringent local/state laws are. Some places, it’s two strikes and their license gets affected. If you get caught, your school policies may make this a big deal. Depends.
You’re underage and your remarks suggest there might be a family history of alcoholism. It sounds like you are making wise (and legal) choices. When I was in college I also felt some peer pressure to drink, but that was partly self-imposed. So I carried around a fake drink (as mentioned above) or a real one, and didn’t drink it, in order to fit in. Eventually, I got up the courage to say, “no thank you, I don’t enjoy drinking,” I got a shrug and “whatever.” Nobody really cared.
I am going to respectfully disagree. If there is a family history of alcohol abuse, there could be very good reason for the OP’s qualms that might have nothing to do with maturity.
In addition, the OP declined to use a fake ID, a principled and legal choice. It’s not just a matter of needing to “relax and have fun.”
I agree with @mamaedefamilia. You made very wise choices. Invite the girl to go do something else. Do things tha5 will make you proud of the person in the mirror.
Family history regarding alcohol is an important factor and I would encourage you to stick with your decision. I have encouraged my children not to drink at all also since they have seriously destructive alcoholics on both sides of the family. I figured out long, long ago that I have as much, if not more, fun with a Diet Coke in my hand. Go where you can legally go and carry a cup of soda. More beer etc left for the ones who want it!
You sound mature and a rules kid. Also it sounds like alcoholism runs in your family. Do not drink due to pressure! If you ever go to the bar/party get a non alcoholic beer and put it in a glass and drink that all night.
Don’t do anything to impress the girl. It’s not worth it. Be yourself and others will come.