Ya, I think it's more that people assume that if you choose not to drink, you look down on people who do drink, and especially in one-on-one settings that makes them feel uncomfortable drinking around you
Ah yes, the concept of "anticipated reproach", where seeing someone do something that you deep down know you should do triggers a defense mechanism that makes you dislike them.
It's pretty easy to spot in people, and I go out of my way to avoid people that are that morally and intellectually stunted, so that may contribute to me seeing less of this reaction.
Wow this is insane. The culture I grew up in is famously health-friendly, so I've never come across this, but it sounds horrible.
I started drinking only water around high school, and the only reaction I ever got was "good for you, I wish I had that habit".
> Because something like this still costs money, it helps convince the purchaser that they aren't appearing to be "cheap" by only ordering water.
Interesting, you think that appearing cheap is behind the stigma? I would've guessed it would be something along the lines of anticipated reproach.