The same pressure exists when you go to a cafe where you are expected to drink coffee. I don't like coffee, and I would rather not acquire a caffeine habit lik

The same pressure exists when you go to a cafe where you are expected to drink coffee. I don't like coffee, and I would rather not acquire a caffeine habit like most adults have, so I just drink steamed milk instead. It's pretty much the same thing anyway. Of course people will comment about how it makes me look weird, weak, etc. and insinuate that my business meetings would be more favorable if I drank coffee like I'm supposed to, like a man, etc. Anyway, I used to not drink alcohol either. I would go to parties and everyone would drink but me and it would be pretty boring. I'd try to start intelligent conversation but it's pretty hard for that to happen in a large group environment. I would always have this feeling that I wasn't being productive or doing anything important. Now I drink a bit, and it dulls me enough to just put on a happy face and enjoy random company. I become less goal-oriented, more harmless. People respond positively to it. It's like a form of self-handicapping, making everyone more harmless and approachable, which explains why people get so uncomfortable if you don't participate. I don't even always have to drink, though, since I can just act like I've been drinking now. I still don't like the taste of hard alcohol, but some drinks taste good, like Bailey's Irish Cream or Mike's Hard Lemonade, or a Pina Colada or a White Russian or an Amaretto Sour.