I have a history of addictive behaviour and drinking issues, so now I don't drink at all. My entire life has transformed for the better ever since (engaged, running a successful business, travelling & moving to Europe) and I lost 50 lbs from cutting the calories and late night post-drinking junk food binges.

If I was the type of woman who could sip wine casually with dinner a few nights a week - truly drinking in moderation - I absolutely would. But I don't believe that is who I am, so I prefer to just live life minus the drinking altogether.

I think loss of self-control and restraint, in general, is really unattractive in both sexes. No matter if it's caused by alcohol or other substances, losing your temper, or immaturity. As long as you don't get to that point with drinking - more power to you. :)

My hubby enjoys a red wine or a beer in the evening. I have half a glass of wine sometimes to join him. Sometimes we drink more if we are at a bbq or dinner or some kind of event. I feel tiddly with very little so I try limit my intake xo

If I had all the money I spent on alcohol...and had put it in a basic investment acct...it would be a serious pile of cash by now.

One of those lessons I wish I could go back and teach my younger self.

It could be a common thing. I don’t drink alcohol at all. It never appealed to me. I know a lot of people do to get a buzz or just to make themselves more social. I use to be very introverted. Growing up I’ve challenged myself to be charming, bold, direct...etc.. it’s important for me to be able to be that way without alcohol or any recreational drug. I can be in the moment but still be able to pull back or be hyper aware of my surroundings. Politically I’m probably middle of the world. I just consider myself independent. Maybe it’s because of my strong belief in accountability and personal responsibility, I don’t relate to most liberals. They seem to think everything around them should change for their convenience. Because I’m always trying to understand others I don’t always relate well to conservatives. A lot of them seem to hide their irrational bias behind their political views. I find that a lot of non drinkers are a bit introverted because we’re in our head a lot and but I haven’t really seen the judgmental thing. So yeah, maybe there are other similarities that coincide with people who have no desire to drink.

I drink a few times a week. Typically with my husband when we have a nice meal, or go out with friends. Every so often we like to go wild! We were out of town for a wedding this weekend and went out with two other couples until 2am and had a great time. Sometimes I go out for a couple glasses of wine with a girlfriend as well.

We are pretty social, outgoing people, though. We live near downtown and go out with friends 2-3 nights a week, and travel frequently.

I never drink alone, and we typically don’t drink at all if we’re just having dinner and a night in at home.

I drink. I left an alcoholic husband and I had to always stay sober to get us home, be available for the kids, etc. when I was with him. Now, my kids are grown and I am on my own, so I drink. Not a lot, but maybe enough to get a buzz either 1x a week or every other week.

I am a teetotaler. Got sober because I hated how alcohol made me feel and act, and it was no longer fun. I am so much happier now!

It's not for me. I recently turned 21. I had two sips of a drink and I'm not a big fan. I felt a bit woozy and I prefer having a clear mind. Even if I end up liking a drink, I don't want to drink enough to get drunk and I don't want to drink often.

I'm drinking a lovely anis liqueur as I type this, so I think that should answer the main question... ;)

Here's the thing - a lot of people tent to think that "drinking" = "getting drunk", but this is often not the case. When I finish my drink, for example, I won't even feel a buzz, because that's not the point of why I'm drinking! (I'm drinking it because it's refreshing and tastes good.)

But more to the point, there is nothing inherently feminine about not drinking. If it were inherently feminine, you would consider a man feminine for not drinking - but I highly doubt most non-drinking women (or most people in general, really) feel that way. Indeed I think most women who don't drink would prefer a non-drinking partner.

But this is also a question that depends a lot on culture. North America, but especially the US, tends to have a pretty strong anti-drinking culture (find me another major western country with a drinking age as high as 21!). The country I'm currently living in, for example, has a culture where it's not only acceptable but normal to have a drink or two before meals, and another during. The point isn't at all to get drunk, but to enjoy a quality drink. You're not really having a cheap beer before or with your meal!

If you're not able to handle your alcohol, or if you make horrible decisions when drunk, that is a bad sign. Having a drink every once in a while -- even getting drunk once in a while, the aforementioned notwithstanding -- isn't one.

All this being said -- part of being a mature person is being able to respect another person's boundaries, even when they don't match up with your own. Judging someone or trying to force someone to change their boundaries for your own amusement is reprehensible behaviour. Just because I drink doesn't mean I think everyone else should, too. And vice versa.

I very rarely drink (maybe one or two every few years), as I don't really like the taste. Also as drinking never became a normal every day thing for me, I never really miss it or 'feel' like a drink. My husband however likes a beer or glass of wine with dinner sometimes, and drinking isn't something I judge anyone for. Although that being said - I really don't like being around drunk people, and as much as possible will avoid situations where people are likely to be drunk.

I've actually often felt a little strange for not drinking socially, as most people I know do, and I have been teased for not joining in.

I'm a teetotaler. Don't like the taste, nor the effects, really. It's less to do with willpower and more simply disinterest.

But I don't judge others who choose to imbibe.

People who criticize others for drinking alcohol are simply mesmerized at that person's level of self-control.

I drink. I also usually drink to get a buzz. Very rarely will I drink a shot or a glass of wine and leave it at that. I drink once every week or every other on average.

I don't drink, but I think I may have that Asian alcohol intolerance one sometimes reads about. I will get absolutely silly off a single beer, and feel terrible the next day. I'm 25, an endurance athlete so fit & healthy.

When I tell people I don't drink, I can just see their eyes glaze for a second while they try to decide if I am (1) a reformed alcoholic or (2) a stick in the mud. Instead of saying this, now I just politely turn down a drink or grab myself something non-alcoholic and bubbly to circumvent the conversation entirely. I've come to really enjoy virgin mojitos, too.

I din't drink at all actually. I don't really care for the way it interfers with my gym booty, that and sugary snackss.

[deleted]

I don’t at all, have never liked the taste.

The idea of mixing in other drinks to mask the taste of hard liquor (in cocktails etc) is ludicrous to me; why mask the actual taste of that liquor you are paying so much for?

I don’t buy the notion of “drinking socially” or “drinking to relax” as well; I socialize and relax well enough with non-alcoholic, tastier beverages..

I would not judge anyone for drinking, but when I find someone who doesn’t, it does make me warm up to them extra quickly :)

The thing I would actually judge people for: smoking...

Wouldn’t say it’s a coincidence. I mean, it’s hard to say which women are RP, not knowing them well. I know a couple of women who seem calm, are somewhat religious, are in a relationship that looka healthy, and they do not drink.

I do not drink for several reasons. I don’t like empty calories, spending the money, being hangover - it’s totally not worth it IMO. (I absolulutely do not judge women who feel differently). And also, I don’t like myself when I am drunk. I get really loud and obnoxious and I have zero desire to be that person again. (Then again, I haven’t gotten drunk in 2 and a half years so who knows, maybe I wouldn’t be that bad now.)

I will however say, that even though I don’t judge at all people who drink, I do not respect people who drink because ‘that’s a normal thing to do’. There are normal reasons to drink, and if those are your reasons, sure, have at it, but if your only reason is peer pressure, I will probably not be itching to become your new best friend.

I drink like once every couple of months, sometimes it's even half a year in between drinks. Very much a social type of drinker. When I do my range is about 3-6 drinks (with the exception of a few celbration events).

I don't like the taste or smell of alcohol, when I drink it has to be mixed or a cooler. I drink slowly through the night/whatever I'm doing. I DO like the buzz feeling but only to a point and then I'm pretty much "over it" and will stop. I've always been this way with alcohol but I do smoke weed though almost every day. Lately my boyfriend and I smoke together.

I drink... a lot. But I'm also 22 I probably won't much after 25 just because hangovers already suck balls for me. I do get anxious around people who don't drink, it's a huge part of the culture and socializing in my city.

I have no desire to drink