Choosing not to drink alcohol can sometimes lead to awkward social situations or unwanted pressure. But there are plenty of ways to decline a drink, allowing you to stick to your personal preferences while still enjoying the event.

In a lot of circles, alcohol is a big part of the social scene. From college parties to weddings and simple get-togethers with friends, there’s often alcohol involved.

But what if you don’t drink?

Turning down alcohol can feel awkward, particularly if you’re hanging out with people who have seen you drink in the past.

These tips can help you navigate the situation.

Of course, you can always be up-front about why you aren’t drinking, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to do so.

There’s no harm in telling a little white lie to get your friends off your back. Or, maybe it’s technically true, but it isn’t the reason you aren’t drinking. Either way, it’s a simple way to turn down drinks.

Here are a few potential responses:

  • You have an early class or work shift in the morning.
  • You’re meeting your family for a bright and early breakfast.

You don’t owe anyone an explanation, whether it’s the truth or an excuse.

If you don’t feel like explaining yourself to someone, you’re allowed to give them a “no” and leave it at that. You’re entitled to keep your business private.

If you’re meeting up with friends outside, you could bring sodas or other nonalcoholic drinks of your choice with you. If you’re already holding a drink, it’s less likely someone will offer you one, avoiding some potentially awkward conversations.

Meanwhile, if you’re going out to a bar, many bars have alcohol-free beers and ciders available. There are also always alternatives, like soda, juice, or water, if you prefer.

If you wanna look like you’re drinking, having a quiet word with the bartender doesn’t hurt. They serve everyone, and most won’t think any different of you for not drinking alcohol.

If you order a Coke, for example, you could ask them to serve it in the same glass as they would a vodka Coke. The two drinks look the same, and no one will suspect a thing.

With cocktails, you can take it a step further and order one that’s alcohol-free, but ask them to fix it up and decorate yours like it’s alcoholic. The worst they can say is “no” — which is unlikely.

Excuses might work in the short term. But, if you’re planning on not drinking for a while or you’re with trusted friends, you might consider being honest.

Everyone has a different relationship with alcohol, and it’s fine to be frank about your decision to avoid it. Unlike excuses, which may only work until the next time you go out with your friends, being honest can get your friends off your back in the long term.

Who knows, you might even find out that someone else is navigating a similar situation.

Everybody should be aware of the risks surrounding drinking and driving, so why not offer to become the designated driver?

Your friends will thank you for taking one for the team, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time out without being badgered about drinking.

We’ve all been in a situation where somebody, be it a friend or a random person, drunkenly comes up to us, starts talking, and word vomit comes out.

If they notice you’re not drinking, they might ask you why. Even if they’re a friend who’s aware that you don’t drink, alcohol has a knack for lowering people’s inhibitions, so they might still ask or pry for more details.

If you don’t feel like giving an answer — particularly to someone who’s drunk — you can change the subject. For example, ask them something about themselves, talk about the band or sports team on their T-shirt, or mention a mutual friend.

There are different reasons for not drinking, and it’s up to you to decide how open you want to be about your own circumstances.

Just remember that drinking (or not drinking) is a personal choice. You can still have a good time with your friends, even if you’re the only one not drinking — as long as you and your friends are all cool with each other’s choices.