Recently, I got an email from the Dry July Foundation — as I’d previously donated to them — inviting me to step up and take the Dry July challenge myself this year.
Dry July is a fundraiser in which participants give up alcohol for a month to raise money for services for people affected by cancer.
All well and good, except that… I don’t drink alcohol. And I suspect I’ll have trouble getting anyone to sponsor me to do exactly what I do every day of the year.
But in a country where drinking has traditionally been part of the culture, I’ve been asked plenty of questions about this over the years. So to summarise…
No, I’m not a recovering alcoholic.
No, it’s not against my religion.
Yes, I get “Asian flush” if I drink.
Yes, maybe I’d be less anxious if I drank. And maybe I’d be worse. Regardless, I’m not going to.
No, I don’t care if you drink in front of me. (Though if I get the sense you’re about to do something regrettable, I might just leave before I have to witness it.)
I did used to drink a bit. Like one or two drinks if I went out or something. Mostly to fit in, and mostly sweet things that didn’t really taste like alcohol.
A few years ago, I came to the conclusion that fitting in is overrated, and if anyone has an issue with me opting not to drink — there are some folks out there who take it really personally for some reason — then that’s their problem.
So yeah. You do you, and I’ll do me. 🙂
Now, if by chance anyone would actually donate money to see me live my normal life, let me know. 😉
Lee-Ann Khoh 
Great writing !
Australian drinking culture is toxic… and I well and truly grew up in it, and partook.
Even now in (early) midlife I get side eye when I don’t join others when having alcoholic beverages.
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