Theo Nash
Alcohol is often served at business dinners, and while it can help create a relaxed atmosphere, it can also lead to lowered inhibitions and increased risks of inappropriate behaviour. It is important to know how to politely decline alcohol in these situations, especially if you feel pressured to drink. You can try redirecting the conversation or using humour to distract from the situation. Having a non-alcoholic drink in hand will also reduce the likelihood of being offered an alcoholic drink. You don't owe anyone an explanation for why you aren't drinking, but if you want to explain, calmly state your reasons and answer any questions you feel comfortable with.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honesty | Be honest about why you aren't drinking. |
| Humour | Use jokes to distract your colleagues from the situation. |
| Alternatives | Ask for a non-alcoholic drink, such as juice, soda, water, or a virgin cocktail. |
| Firmness | Don't be afraid to repeat yourself and firmly decline. |
| Reasons | Explain your reasons for staying sober, if you want to. |
| Safety | Alcohol can increase the chances of sexual harassment and unsafe environments. |
| Food | Serve food to prevent accidental over-indulgence. |
| Transportation | Provide safe transportation home, such as ridesharing credits, taxis, or transit passes. |
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What You'll Learn
Hold a non-alcoholic drink
Holding a non-alcoholic drink is a great way to avoid drinking alcohol at a business dinner. It is a simple and non-confrontational way to stand your ground and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. You can hold a glass of Coke, sparkling water with lime, or a tasty mocktail that looks like a real one. If you opt for a virgin drink, others will probably not even notice. Most bars stock non-alcoholic beers, so you could give one of these a try. If you are offered a drink, you can politely decline and redirect the conversation. You could say something like, "Nah, I'm good", or "No thanks, I'm driving later". You don't owe anyone an explanation, but if you feel comfortable doing so, you can explain your reasons for staying sober. For example, you could say, "I'm a recovering alcoholic and am two years sober. It'd be a shame to break the streak now". Alternatively, you could use humour to deflect the offer, such as, "No drink in the world could have enough alcohol to solve my problems". Having a non-alcoholic drink in hand will make others less likely to offer you a drink, so don't be afraid to sound like a broken record if someone keeps offering.
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Be honest about why you're not drinking
While you don't owe anyone an explanation for why you're not drinking, being honest can be a good way to shut down further questions. You might worry about seeming uptight or less fun, but it's perfectly valid to simply not like alcohol. You could say something like, "I'm not a fan of the taste," or, "Alcohol just doesn't agree with me—one shot of tequila and my face turns bright red and feels like it's on fire!"
If you're not comfortable sharing your reasons for abstaining, you can politely decline with a simple ""Nah, I'm good," or redirect the question. However, if you feel comfortable doing so, you can explain your reasons for staying sober. For example, you could say, "I'm a recovering alcoholic and I'm proud to say I've been sober for two years now." Or, "I'm pregnant and don't want to risk any harm to the baby." Whatever your reason, state it calmly and only answer any questions you feel comfortable with.
Remember, sobriety is becoming more normalized, and you shouldn't feel pressured to drink if you don't want to. You can always order a non-alcoholic drink, and many bars now stock non-alcoholic beers and can make "virgin" cocktails.
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Make a joke to deflect
Turning down alcohol at a business dinner can be tricky, but humour can be a great way to deflect and lighten the mood. Here are some ideas for jokes to help you politely decline a drink:
"No thanks, I'm driving tonight." This is a simple and effective excuse that most people will understand and respect. It's a valid reason to stay sober and is often a conversation-ender.
"No amount of alcohol could solve my problems right now, but thanks." This joke is a playful way to decline while also acknowledging the potential benefits of drinking. It's light-hearted and can help you avoid coming across as too serious.
"I'm on a prescription that I can't mix with alcohol." This is a foolproof excuse that will likely stop further questions. It's a valid reason to abstain and allows you to maintain your privacy.
"Alcohol goes straight to my thighs." This response will catch people off guard. While it's clearly a joke, it adds a layer of humour and absurdity, keeping the conversation light and fun.
"In most states, it's illegal to consume alcohol while carrying a firearm." This tongue-in-cheek response is guaranteed to change the subject. It's bold, unexpected, and will likely surprise your colleagues.
Remember to keep your jokes polite and tasteful, and don't be afraid to be creative and playful with your excuses. Honesty is also important, so feel free to share your reasons for declining if you feel comfortable doing so.
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Explain your reasons for staying sober
There are many reasons why someone may choose to decline alcohol at a business dinner. Here are some potential explanations for staying sober:
Medical Reasons
Explain that you have been advised by your doctor to avoid alcohol, or that you are taking medication that should not be mixed with alcohol. This is a common and widely accepted reason for abstaining from alcohol and is likely to be met with understanding and respect.
Health and Fitness Goals
Discuss your health and fitness goals, such as training for an athletic competition or committing to a healthier lifestyle. Alcohol can impact athletic performance and hinder progress toward fitness goals, so this is a valid reason to avoid drinking.
Religious or Personal Beliefs
State that you are abstaining for religious reasons or personal beliefs. This could include following a religious doctrine that prohibits alcohol consumption or adhering to a personal code of conduct that values sobriety.
Pregnancy or Parenting
If applicable, you can mention that you are pregnant or trying to conceive and want to avoid any potential harm to the baby. Similarly, if you are a parent, you could explain that you want to stay sober to be fully present and responsible for your children.
Recovery or Sobriety
If you feel comfortable sharing, you can disclose that you are in recovery or committed to sobriety. You could say something like, "I appreciate the offer, but I'm a recovering alcoholic, and I'm proud of my sobriety." Most people will respect your honesty and support your decision.
Remember, you are not obligated to disclose any personal information if you are not comfortable doing so. You can simply state that you are not drinking tonight and leave it at that. Honesty is often the best approach, and most people will accept your decision without further persuasion.
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Choose a drink that looks like a real one
If you want to decline alcohol at a business dinner, it can be helpful to hold a non-alcoholic drink. This makes others less likely to offer you an alcoholic drink. You could try a non-alcoholic beer, soda, juice, water, or a virgin cocktail.
If you want to be extra cautious, you could order a mocktail that looks like a real cocktail. This could be something like a virgin Bloody Mary, which will look like you're drinking an alcoholic beverage. You could also try a Shirley Temple, which is a mocktail made with ginger ale and grenadine, often garnished with a cherry. This will probably go unnoticed by your colleagues.
If you don't want to draw attention to the fact that you're not drinking alcohol, you could order a Coke or sparkling water with lime. This way, you still have a drink in your hand, but it won't be obvious that you're avoiding alcohol. If you're worried about standing out, this could be a good option.
Remember, you don't owe anyone an explanation for why you're not drinking. You can simply say, "Nah, I'm good," or "No, thanks." If you feel pressured or uncomfortable, it's always okay to leave the situation.
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Frequently asked questions
You don't owe anyone an explanation for why you aren't drinking alcohol, but if you're looking to avoid questions altogether, you could try ordering a non-alcoholic drink. Many cocktails can be ordered "virgin", and most bars stock non-alcoholic beers. If you'd prefer to avoid alcohol without drawing attention, you could try drinking soda or juice.
You can politely decline and change the subject, or use humour to deflect the offer. You could say something like, "No drink in the world could have enough alcohol to solve my problems." If your colleagues continue to offer you drinks, don't be afraid to politely but firmly restate your decision.
You can give an honest explanation for why you're not drinking, or you can give a short response like, "I don't drink for religious reasons." You could also blame it on medication, or say that you're taking part in Dry January.
Make sure there is plenty of food so that you don't drink on an empty stomach. You could also suggest an offsite venue, as hosting the party outside the office can reduce liability and make it easier to avoid drinking.
