How do you decline invitation to drink?

[kaid]

Do you just say you don't feel like drinking? What is your approach to it without offending someone?

Just say no. It's really as simple as that people just overthink things.

[Shadowferal]

By saying no?
Why is that so hard?

Sometime seen as an insult, depending on cultural perspective.

[shadowmouse]

Now you're trying to change the subject, so I continue to snarkily assume you don't have that deep of an understanding on the subject.

OK, wonderboy, what do you think the subject is? Are we following the question posted in the OP, the question I was replying to when you quoted me, or some other question that you've failed to define clearly?

That some people won't understand the answer is obvious, that's true of all answers to all questions.

What remains is *why* a person did not understand. Telling a person "that shirt is blue" could leave them scratching their head, taking out a series of color samples might seem and answer, but it isn't going to work if they're color blind.

[Zaktar]

OK, wonderboy, what do you think the subject is? Are we following the question posted in the OP, the question I was replying to when you quoted me, or some other question that you've failed to define clearly?



What remains is *why* a person did not understand. Telling a person "that shirt is blue" could leave them scratching their head, taking out a series of color samples might seem and answer, but it isn't going to work if they're color blind.

Good grief is it really that difficult for you to follow? OP asked how to politely refuse a drink, another user explained that it would be akin to social suicide, someone else asked why it is different in the culture local to you than it is to their home culture, you made a rather snide remark, I called you out in an effort to persuade you to actually answer their question. Which you still apparently can't. Usually people who hide behind the, "if you have to ask you wouldn't understand" defense don't actually have a clue what they're talking about

[XangXu]

Accept the invitation and tell them you will be the designated driver.

They will probably tell you just not to come.

Mission accomplished.

[shadowmouse]

Edit: Post had an echo.

- - - Updated - - -

someone else asked why it is different in the culture local to you than it is to their home culture

Seems others followed my answer just fine, @Mayhem for example. I've explained in detail, with links. Post #7, well before the post you quoted:

Random fellow expat? Turn it down politely as others have said.

If things play more or less the same as on the mainland, if it is work related you may want to at least go along to be "part of the group". The Taiwanese guys I've had business dealings with take your willingness to have tea, share a meal, or drink with them pretty seriously.

It seems to play as it would on the mainland, that if you drink together you're supposedly showing your real self, and business works on personal relationships. Think twice about dealing yourself out completely.

Why would it be different?

Because it's a social obligation in many Asian countries, especially among collegues after work or even during, in case of business meetings. There is really no equivalent in the west. Just saying no might have negative implications for your social and/or work life.

Pff, you're seen as odd in sweden if you keep declining when people from work invite you. Which may result in differential treatment. You can still say no.

Now, that Pfff follows my post explaining 1)if it is work related you may want to at least go along to be "part of the group" and 2)It seems to play as it would on the mainland, that if you drink together you're supposedly showing your real self, and business works on personal relationships.[/Quote] It also follows another poster giving the short answer version of the same points. And still the answer is to say how things are in Sweden (way out there for low context) while ignoring that Taiwan is not Sweden.

At that point it is clear, the person asking cannot imagine a place where things don't work as they do in Sweden and is failing to do even basic research to check what they've already been told several times. Even so, I went a bit further than you seem to have read:

You'll know the words, but you'll lack context. Maybe you will find something about your life where you are and others will tell you "just X" but somehow "just X" misses things about your environment. His question is a bit like that.

Hope that answers your question. Btw, bothering to type out Pff is dismissive enough that it gets answered in the same tone.

[Zuben]

"Can't make it today, sorry." People mostly have the good sense to leave it at that, but sometimes they inquire what's up. I don't think it's anyone's business why I can't make it. I have prior engagement, that's all the information they need.

[Pony Soldier]

There's never a time I decline an invitation to drink as long as it's with family or friends but in your case just be like "nah man I'm good but thanks" and that's it. If they get offended by you saying something like that then they have problems.

[Muajin76]

Do you just say you don't feel like drinking? What is your approach to it without offending someone?

Medical condition seems to be a common thing i've heard. *i'm taking medicine right now and not allowed to drink* I know women that don't drink when they are menstrating.

[Jonnusthegreat]

"How do you wipe? Front to back or side to side?"

Don't be assinine. The obvious choice is putting a heap of toilet paper on the floor and just bouncing on it up and down.

[batuhandemirtas]

I have made prior commitments. Goes home and puts on netflix*