Okay, so you’re sober now. But keep clean long enough, and someone will ask you if you’d like a drink. If you haven’t prepared a response, you could be caught off guard. Hell, you might even relapse.
We don’t want that. Hopefully. So what do you say when someone asks if you’d like a drink? It’s best to bring some humor to the table to break the news. You shouldn’t simply say no. Usually the person proposing a beer or cocktail will ask why.
Then what? You might be at a professional event and talking about your newfound sobriety isn’t appropriate. You may be at a church function and hesitant to disclose your days of debauchery.
Here’s a list of 15 responses, in no particular order. Choose the right one for you.Person offering the drink says: What television show?
our response: Cops
Appropriate setting: With friends or family.This is a tricky one, witty to be sure, but should only be employed amongst close friends or family. You don’t want to come off as superior to those drinking, so try to use voice inflection to let them know you’re joking.
Do not, under any circumstance, say this to someone that you know has a drinking problem. They will not respond well.
Appropriate setting: With close friends or family.Should only be used with a younger crowd – people you’re confident have seen the movie Drive.
Appropriate setting: young crowd or professional settingAppropriate setting: Since this response definitely implies you drank way too much, try to avoid saying it at a professional or socially stuffy event.Appropriate setting: Amongst friends or family.Appropriate setting: anywhere, but be warned, awkwardness factor of this response is high.Person offering the drink says: Really?
You say: Yeah, I break out in handcuffs.
Appropriate setting: Amongst friends or family.Person offering the drink says: Really?
You say: Yeah, I break out in cities… you know, New York, Miami, Tijuana (emphasis on Tijuana)Person offering the drink will respond: What city ordinance?
You say: It’s kind of complicated. So I don’t want to bore you with details. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it in the papers. This greasy city councilman/woman (his/her name) proposed it. They called it the (Your First and Last Name) Alcohol Prohibition Act.
Appropriate setting: this one might sound a little cheesy. It’s all about delivery here. Build up to the punch line for as long as possible. Only with friends and family.Appropriate setting: anywhereAppropriate setting: This is a great all-purpose response, good in virtually any situation. If you’re already known as someone with a self-deprecating sense of humor, even better.Appropriate setting: only with close friends and family. Be prepared for awkward silence afterwards, so respond with someone like… And I really can’t afford a new one. You know how much those things are going for these days? (laugh) Then ask them a question… What are you drinking? What music do you like? Something to transition the conversation. I will guarantee that the person will never ask if you’d like a drink again.This one will, at least, get a charity chuckle. Maybe a genuine laugh. If you feel it’s appropriate, this is a great line to segway into letting them know about your decision to get sober.
Appropriate setting: If you want to talk about your sobriety.A g-rated response, but again, it will probably get a charity chuckle. It’s a good icebreaker and works best if you transition by posing a get-to-know-you question.
Appropriate setting: Anywhere, anytime.Person offering the drink responds says: Why wouldn’t I want you to drink?
You say: No one wants to see me dancing naked on the bar.
Appropriate setting: Best used in a relaxed social atmosphere with friends.
If you have a favorite response, drop me an email and I’ll include it in the article. Many thanks to Reddit’s r/stopdrinking community for inspiring this post and providing some of the content.
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