[walshemj]

Why do you have a problem with the company buying people a beer on some days? would you also object to a company meal put to celebrate a major release.

I've never seen people forced to drink alcohol at social events BTW.

In the real world you have to realise that not everyone is exactly like you and how to get along and work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

[ModernMech]

> would you also object to a company meal put to celebrate a major release

Not at all. I would object though if that meal only included dead animals.

> I've never seen people forced to drink alcohol at social events BTW.

Social pressure is very real.

> In the real world you have to realise that not everyone is exactly like you and how to get along and work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Very true. People need to realize that other people have very complex relationships with alcohol. For some people it's a fun party drink that helps you socialize. For others, it's a poison drink that ruined their family and perhaps took a loved one from them. In my opinion, being more sensitive to the latter is more important than catering to the former.

[xkcd-sucks]

Because "drinking together" is so culturally ingrained as a social bonding experience that not drinking booze makes you an outsider.

[0xcoffee]

In my country 'drinking together' is also a very important part of the culture, and on Friday's ~4.30pm work stops and the company drinks together. I don't drink and have never encountered any issues with simply saying no (but still attend the event). Curious what negative responses people have encountered.

[caseysoftware]

I wonder too because although I do drink, there have been times where it's just poor timing. I simply say "Sorry, I can't tonight because: antibiotics, driving home, dinner with family, etc, etc" and have had zero issues.

Even hearing "I don't drink" flies just fine.

[donttrack]

Could people then please just stop commenting on people who don't drink. I stopped drinking and to be honest, it is a pain in the ass to listen to lame comments from people trying to be funny.