Or just “I don’t do drugs”, or “I don’t do recreational drugs”?
Or “I don’t smoke weed” and “I don’t drink alcohol” when they come up, separately?
I wouldn’t generally say it at all unless I’m in a situation where I’m offered recreational drugs such as cannabis or alcohol.
My understanding is the term ‘straight edge’ might be more well known than ‘teetotal’, but neither are completely known by everyone.
I take straight edge to mean not doing any recreational drugs. However I read that straight edge can have punk culture connotations that some people might maintain are part of it. Like I might meet a punk straight edger who claims I’m not really straight edge unless I have connections to the punk scene. They also apparently often claim you need to be vegan to be straight edge, I am vegan though coincidentally but not for reasons relating to straight edge culture.
Teetotal I believe most often means abstinence from simply alcohol, but can be used to mean abstinence from all recreational drugs (I think). It may be more well known as simply not drinking alcohol. For example teetotallers often still smoke weed.
Apologies if I misrepresented any of these terms.
It’s a situation where the label carries a burden. How often does it come up that you need a prepared response? No judgement, but If you’re thinking this much about it you might be hanging out with the wrong crowd. “No thanks” should be enough, and being pressured further into doing something you don’t want to do is a red flag. I don’t think either label is going to help you.
I wouldn’t generally say it at all unless I’m in a situation where I’m offered recreational drugs such as cannabis or alcohol.
Why not just say no instead of telling everyone that you’re boring?
Or “I don’t smoke weed” and “I don’t drink alcohol” when they come up, separately
That ones your best choice.
If you’re in a party or other social event keep a drink with you, water or whatever you like. When someone offers you something just bring your glass up and say thanks, im fine. 9/10 times people are going to be cool with that. Someone might ask you what are you drinking, being honest is the best imo, you can start a conversation about it. Do not say things like “I don’t need alcohol/drugs to enjoy a party” it’s sounds condescending and like you’re moraly superior, you are not. If someone asks if you already tried, say yes but you didn’t really like it. If they try to pressure you, just leave, they are shitty people.
Just say no thanks. No need to tell them that it’s a life long choice.
I find that adding an “…anymore” adds a lot of baggage that’ll make people drop it and accept your choices
“Not since… The incident…”
“What happened?”
“I don’t talk about it… anymore…”
I’ve seen more people get weird about not drinking alcohol than not smoking weed, personally.
It’s fucling odd. I was at a friends birthday party and his dad was there too. He asked me if i wanted some of his schnaps, or whatever hard liquor it was. I said no thanks. He poured it anyway. I said i’m not gonna drink it. He said it’s really good. I said i don’t drink, so i don’t drink that. He sait it’s really good. I said i don’t drink, so i don’t drink it. He said i can still drive after one shot. I said i don’t want his gross ass shot. This happens pretty much every time. You don’t drink? AT ALL? NEVER? but how? Not even beer? Not even on special occasions? But you drink wine, do you? Not even to a good piece of meat? No, it’s disgusting, even i i would eat meat. YOU DON’T EAT MEAT?
I used to do a lot of drugs in my 20’s (not so much anymore) and never once did I see someone actually try to convince someone to do something they didn’t want to do.
Like others have said, you’re in the wrong crowd if people are making a huge deal out of this. I wouldn’t trip out on labels.
Could probably say that you’re sober 15 years. People tend to be more understanding of people in recovery
Straightedge is a punk subculture, so if you’re not into the music then I wouldn’t use the term.
Get a jacket, get some Casey Jones, Have Heart, and early Refused (since you’re vegan) patches sewed on. Mohawk you’re hair, tattoo giant Xs on your hands, and go around picking fights with people who drink or do drugs.
Now you’re straightedge
“Sorry, I don’t (drink/smoke/whatever - just fill in the blank).”
Alternately, no is a complete sentence: You don’t owe anyone any explanation.
Don’t say “sorry”. You have no reason to apologize.
“I’m a person just like you but I’ve got better things to do”
People respond best when you just say “no” (sorry to quote Nancy), and don’t try to excuse away your response. Just say no, or no thanks, or nah, or not today, and move on. If they pressure you tell them to back the fuck up.
I live in Wisconsin, and if there’s one thing Wisconsin is known for is a strong drinking culture. I’ve had extremely good luck with simply saying “not tonight” or “no thank you” or at strongest “I have to be good for my drive home”
If you specifically identify yourself as a teetotaler or straight edge or whatever could be interpreted as seeing yourself as better than others who just want to experience an altered state of mind, which is not a good first impression to make.
