Healthy Eating Tip for Eating Out - Telling the waiter and fellow diners that you’re not drinking alcohol
Make it clear at the beginning of the evening/meal to those around you that it’s your intention not to drink. This will make it easier for you to succeed. If you would rather just have one drink with your main meal – say so.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
- “The waiter will think I am cheapskate” – Remember whoever’s serving you is there to make sure you have a good time. If you’ve chosen not to drink alcohol, a good waiter will be able to offer you a selection of alternatives. You’re not there to please them – it’s the other way around!
- “If everyone else in my party is drinking alcohol and we split the bill I will pay more” – Before you start the meal make this point – if everyone is expecting you to pay less at the end it won’t cause a problem. Trying to negotiate at the end of the meal could prove hard - especially if you don’t know them too well or they’re slightly (or very) drunk. If you feel uncomfortable, let it go and think that it’s a small price to pay for achieving your goals - however, we’d never suggest ordering an expensive main dish just to make up for it. Alternatively, you could ask to be billed separately.
- “A free bottle/glass of wine was included in the meal” – if no one is drinking ask to have a couple of bottles of water instead – the same goes if they’re offering a free glass of bubbly or wine.
Tips and Tricks
- At the start of the meal, inform your waiter that you won’t be drinking - they will (or should!) remove any unnecessary wine glasses from the table. This will make it easier for you not to drink if others at the table order a bottle (or two) of wine – having nothing to pour it into (except your mouth) will make it easier to say "no".
- If you’re with friends, tell them of your goal and ask them not to offer you a drink.
- If you’re dining with a friend and you both order a glass of the same wine, the waiter may explain that if either of you were to order a second glass, it would be cheaper to order the bottle (sign of a good sales person!). This may well be the case – but if there’s a bottle on the table you’ll be more likely to drink it. Tell your friend(s) that if a bottle is ordered, they’ll have to finish the bottle by themselves!
- Order a large bottle of water for yourself – and keep refilling your glass.
- If you don’t wish people to know why you’re not drinking you could say that you have an early meeting the next morning; or you’re not drinking this lunch time as you have a busy afternoon ahead; or that you have to drive later and so wish to avoid any alcohol.
- Pretend your water is an alcoholic drink – all the fun at a fraction of the cost, no hangover and all the beauty benefits to your skin and your body.
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