Re:Do startups have a drinking problem?
by cylinder on Wednesday May 18, 2016 @01:43PM
(#11723945)
No. Try to simply pass with a no thanks, and almost always you'll face a line of questioning as to why not. It's really annoying. Even if they respect your decision not to drink they still ask why. Some get frustrated too.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
I've, fortunately, only ever experienced this a single time. From a coworker of the opposite gender who was already a few drinks in, at an event where I was the only person not drinking.
I've never suffered the line of questioning that people always talk about. Perhaps a single "Why?" which is easily answered with "Personal choice." And honestly, if you deviate from the "norm" a "why?" should be expected and factored into the decision.
There are other decisions where you can expect to be asked "Why?" For example:
I don't have a Facebook account. "Why?"
I don't watch movies/TV shows. "Why?"
It could be argued the "why" isn't important. The question isn't asked out of importance, but out of curiosity. They're curious why I made the decision I made, especially because it is an unpopular decision.
At least as often as not, people don't ask those "why?" type questions out of simple curiosity. In my experience, there's often a component of defensiveness, regardless of how you answer.
And saying that it's okay to be questioned for your choices just because they're not as common--I have to adamantly disagree.