Every year, we encourage everyone to celebrate the festive season responsibly.
To ensure everybody has plans as well as backup plans in place to get home safely after imbibing some eggnog or other spirits and becoming jovially inebriated.
And we will continue to reiterate this message.
But included in this important discussion is a topic that typically gets overlooked.
And that is an individual’s decision to not drink.
People who do not drink have their own reasons for choosing not to consume alcohol, and they should never be expected to have to explain why.
Perhaps they’re a recovering alcoholic.
Maybe a woman just learned she’s pregnant.
Another possibility is a medical condition or disorder that results in serious health problems when any kind of alcohol — even just a little — is consumed.
Or it could be as simple as being the night’s designated driver.
And for others yet, their reason might be founded in sacredly held religious belief.
But whatever the case may be, it’s frankly no one else’s business. Someone who politely turns down a drink should not be badgered and borderline bullied into divulging what could well be very personal reasons.
A simple "no thank you" should suffice, and everyone else should respect that answer, move on with their lives and go about enjoying the rest of the party.
Perhaps Beatriz Alegria, who wrote a column about the subject, said it best in her 2018 piece called It’s OK That I Don’t Drink, It’s Not OK That You Ask Why.
“Stop being the alcohol police. Sober people don’t owe you any explanation whatsoever for our perfectly valid choice.”
Alegria encourages party hosts to consider including several non-alcoholic options for guests who regardless of reasons why choose sobriety.
We agree — no one should be shamed or given the third degree over a perfectly reasonable and healthy life decision.
Not everyone needs alcohol to enjoy themselves, and that should be fine.
Simon Ducatel is the editor of the Sundre Round Up.
