I don't drink. I've only had a sip of beer once, and though I might try alcoholic beverages sometimes in the future just for the experience/out of curiosity, I know they're bad for your health, and there's nothing about having my judgement impaired or, worse, being hung over that appeals to me.

I'm worried about being perceived as boring because of my abstinence from alcohol. I know FDS is staunchly against drink dates, but what about restaurant dates where alcohol is often served? How can I smoothly *not* drink alcohol - basically, how can I decline it while still having enough in common with those around me that I don't stand out? I don't like soda either, as it's just carbonated sugar water, and I really care about my health.

I imagine if a guy, or anyone really, gives me a hard time about not drinking alcohol, it's a big red flag anyway.

I was also wondering: does FDS caution against alcohol consumption before physical intimacy? Personally I always want to be sober in sexual situations, and I'm not exactly enthralled by the idea of a partner being inebriated and "not all there," either. I suspect finding a guy who prefers so be sober during sexual activity is as difficult as finding a HVM.