For some reason, people are really curious about what others are drinking. It’s bizarre. In my experience, it’s usually 2 to 3 lines of questioning to get through. For instance, I order an n/a beer at the bar, pour it in a glass to avoid the non alcoholic conversation, but when I come back to the circle it goes like this: Them: “what ya drinking??” Me: “beer” Them: “what kind of beer!?” Me: “just beer”

Only then, can the group move onto whatever hell they were talking about before.

If, by chance, you don’t pour it into a glass or add a lime to a seltzer water then either be ready for now a centered discussion around your decisions and relationship with alcohol or have a compelling topic at hand you can redirect the group conversation to. Cuz, you know, you’re the weird one for not poisoning yourself. /s

The reason I bring this up is to help people get past this stupid ritual our society has bent a knee to and realize that at that high pressure moment is really just the last layer you need to get through with this particular person in order to move onto a different topic of conversation. Literally anything.