No alcohol

Drink (or don't drink) whatever you want. Nobody will care.

Nobody. Really.

Just say no, thank you. I do not drink. I no longer drink due to a health issue. I have no problem being around alcohol. If someone is offended because I do not drink, I think that is their issue, and that’s too bad. On the whole I don’t think it offends anyone as long as the non-drinker is not judging someone for having a glass of wine or a cocktail.

I don’t drink at all either. I even went on a Road Scholar wine tour this past fall. I just said no to the wine offerings/tastings. There were three of us (group of 19) who refused. No one cared. We were even kind of popular because we could give our samples away:)

I agree. Drink (or don't drink) whatever you want. Nobody will care. Nobody. Really. Is it an issue with people you meet in the US?

While there can be some social constructs around alcohol offered by a host, it really will not seriously apply to you unless you are visiting family, personal friends, or doing business. In a restaurant, shop, or other tourist related venue, just decline politely, even perhaps mentioning that you are unable to. No need to elaborate.

Don't worry. I didn't touch alcohol in Europe at all. Not a problem. If necessary, say that it's for health.

Just decline and forget about giving a reason. Nobody cares!

There's a popular brand of Czech non-alcoholic beer here called Birell (blue label is light beer, brown label is semi-dark) and there's likely something similar in Budapest so if you are going out for a beer then nobody would question asking for something like that. Saying you don't drink alcohol won't offend anybody and if they are a decent host they'll offer options. The only time you might be uncomfortable is around a birthday or namesday celebration when it's usual to have a shot. I regularly turn down shots of Slivovice because I can't stand the stuff but there are always other options and drinking to someone's health doesn't have to be alcohol. If you don't want to offend anybody then look them in the eye when you toast and don't leave anything in the glass.

Had to look up 'slivovice'. Now I understand the the comment of "...cannot stand the stuff'

Only Damson plums may be used as the base fruit for distillation. Before the production process, the plums may be slightly pressed or otherwise disrupted to speed up the fermentation process, but without damaging their ground kernels; yeast, starch, and sugar may be added to the juice.

Some modern production techniques, such as those used by Clear Creek in Oregon, omit the use of the pits in fermentation to create a less acerbic or bitter taste.

Imitation slivovitz is made by flavouring spirits with prune juice and artificial oil of bitter almonds

Will re-iterate what has already been said, 'nobody cares' and unless you make a big deal about, probably won't even notice your choice of beverage. Just do whatever you do at home in choosing a beverage.

This reminds me of when we couchsurfed. I am a teetotaler big time. We stayed with some folks in a little village in Northern France - he offered me some hard cider - I took a sip and turned up my nose. He just laughed and drank it. Same with a host in Maine - I tried the limoncello, but one sip was enough. In Strasbourg, I decided to be French and tried some red wine - nope.

So when we stayed with a host in Avignon, and he took us to a friend's house for supper (mostly people who barely spoke English, that was fun) - they asked if we wanted wine with our pasta. We declined, so they sent their son out to the store to buy grape juice. An airbnb host in Salon en Provence offered for me to try a pastis - I declined and she was fine with it.

So, in other words - as others have said - no one cares.

The reason people ask this question is because somewhere in their experience someone has cared. At some point they have been singled out or pointed out as “different” and being a non drinker has mattered. I know this has happened to me.

That said, almost always the responses above that it is a non issue are correct. If you manage to hit one of those rare occasions where someone comments or is offended, just remember that it is their problem, not yours.