I somewhat relate to this. I don't drink and never really have, but do find it tends to be the center of many conversations and of after-hours work-related eve

I somewhat relate to this. I don't drink and never really have, but do find it tends to be the center of many conversations and of after-hours work-related events, be it vendors or what have you. It's never really posed a huge problem for me to tag along and drink something non-alcoholic though, and it gives me (an introvert) and excuse to skip out on some more drinking-centric social events (where people are just going to get hammered) that I'd prefer to avoid. People love alcohol and I don't expect this aspect of culture to shift anytime soon nor would I push for it to. If I miss out on some social climbing outcome, so be it.