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Not Drinking Alcohol in Europe

My wife and I have never been to Europe and dream of going and visiting many countries. We do not drink alcohol but love to eat out and enjoy nightlife. In almost every guide book and television program about traveling in Europe there is a fair amount of attention payed to the topic of drinking--I know it is a big part of the culture of many of the countries we would like to visit. We want to know what to expect, and any tips for avoiding awkward situations and poor service that results.

I can tell you by first hand experince in the U.S. that when you are in a resturant or bar and not drinking you often recieve slighted service because your not spending as much money.

Additionally, we want to meet new people and make new friends--an important part of travel. How are non-drinkers recieved? Almost everytime I have seen Rick socializing on his program he is drinking along with his new or old friends. We are outgoing, fun people and love to join in a good time, but so much attention is paid to wine of every type to whatever the local brew is in all these books and shows, sometimes it feels we'll not just be a foriegner in a foriegn land but even more removed. I have never seen this topic addressed and we can't be the only ones who have thought of it.

Posted by
138 posts

Jeff,
My close friend is in AA and can't drink. Last September, she went to Spain and France, both countries that are huge on wine. She was very polite AND very firm about declining, always had a glass of non-alcoholic beverage to sip and a joke ready, met lots of people, made great friends, and was just fine. Stick to your guns, not only those who drink are fun, abstainers are, too.

Posted by
191 posts

Hi Jeff, I was in Europe last year and I too don't drink. I did feel a little ackward in some resturants because most have house wines they love customers to try and simple no thank you was good enough. I never really recieved slighted service, but you still must know service in America is quite different. I never felt i ever recieved great service in europe but I noticed those drinking alchol had similiar service. Also once you see the price of a coke in europe you'll realise that your paying similiar to those drinking alchol. I also had no problem with other people I met and found a great attitude is much more valuable than a bottle of wine!

Posted by
956 posts

Hey Jeff, don't worry about it. My husband and I don't like to drink alcohol while we eat, so in many restaurants in Italy and Germany, we didn't have any alcohol, and I didn't even think twice about it... If you're in Germany, and you go to a beer garden/brewery to eat (because the food is great!) it's possible that the Germans at the table may ask why you're not drinking (while they're drinking their LITER of beer), but Germans are very friendly and probably will enjoy your company anyway!

Posted by
2788 posts

We do not drink alcohol and besides going to Europe each summer, we travel around the US. We almost always order ice tea or water and have NEVER felt slighted because of the no alcohol. If we are asked if we are "sure" we do not want to look at the wine menu, we say "positive" and that always ends that. I will admit that the places we eat in Seattle are more receptive to that than many places in Europe. Don't sweat it thou and don't let that slow you down from eatting whereever you like.

Posted by
215 posts

My wife and I were in Europe 52 days last year.
We don't drink alcohol and no problems at any
restaurant. However, Cora is right in that
bottled water or soft drinks may be more expensive
than alcohol.

Posted by
28 posts

Ordering any liquid will pad the bill nicely for the restaurant owner. I travel to europe with my 13 year old daughter, who obviously does not drink alcohol. In nearly every restaurant we've been to, her diet coke is more expensive than my wine or beer. Also, unlike in the US, free refills on soda is not the norm.

One discovery for a refreshing drink on a hot afternoon in Paris was to order "citron presse." (see-trohn press-ay) This was a small glass of fresh lemon juice and a taller glass of tap water with a nicely wrapped sugar cube-- make your own lemonade!

Posted by
316 posts

I have never thought about this before because I've never noticed any difference in how I was treated whether I ordered alcohol of not. I've had more trouble trying to get "still" water rather than water "with gas". Don't give it another thought.

Posted by
3 posts

Jeff,

I understand the question that you posted. I have experieced different service in the States and internationally.
The way that Rick Steves shows his connection to people can often be around being at a Winery or Pub or such all discussing the local drink. That can be common in the States too, but as you have probably found out connecting with people in the US with out alcohol is possible. If you are a twelve stepper go to a meeting. I traveled around the world and went to meetings and meet some very fun loving people who were very happy to have a non-drinking American to show around their town. I went to meetings in Paris and in Finland where I could not understand a word but was welcomed.
I will be traveling with my husband this fall and we do not drink and I doubt we will go to an AA meeting but I may reconsider just to meet the locals again.
I may go to a winery to order some wine for my parents, to have the experience. I look forward to the great food, enjoy your trip.
Karen

Posted by
2898 posts

Hi Jeff,
Just another non drinkers opinion. After a number of trips to Germany and Austria, my wife will have a glass of wine or beer with dinner and I usually have a coke. A couple of times my wife's beer has been placed in front of me and I just switch them. I've never felt slighted. As others have pointed out, it would probably be cheaper for me to drink beer than coke.
I did try one beer (which my wife ordered), which I actually liked, it's called Radler...a mix of beeer and lemon-lime soda I believe. Don't worry. I gave up worrying about not drinking long ago.

paul

Posted by
4 posts

FYI,many places in Europe do not want to give you tap water. When you order water, it will be bottles (gas or no gas)