I will be going on a mad sprint through Europe soon (Koln, Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Innsbruck, Munich) and while I enjoy the occasional beer, my traveling partner is in AA. I am especially concerned about Paris because my partner's drink of choice was wine. I know that traveling with other people for weeks can get kind of stressful and I don't want the european drinking culture to be another point of possible friction. Does anyone have advice on how to enjoy European restaurants, etc without drinking, or on how to handle a drinker/ex-drinker traveling team?
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia, USA
345 posts
Alex - I don't mean to sound too simplistic here, but most of the responsibility is on your friend. If he/she is truly committed to sobriety, then the drinking culture should not present too much of a problem. Now, I wouldn't get pie eyed around him all the time, or go places where drinking is the only activity - that would be rude. But you should be able to enjoy yourself, too.
Would you avoid having dessert in front of a diabetic?
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
135 posts
Well, it seems to me that's something you might do well to settle in advance with your partner. If he can't handle drinking something non-alcoholic while you indulge you both need to acknowledge that and compromise if you can. It's perfectly alright to order non-alcoholic stuff everywhere in Europe. A fine meal is still a fine meal, even if you drink sparkling (or still) water. Also, remember, you're not Siamese twins, it's ok to split up now and then and follow some of your own interests, that could decrease the general stress level. Who knows, you may turn out to be the perfect travel team!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Europe has it's alcoholics as well, and somehow many of them manage to stay dry. Your traveling partner might want to try one of the sparkling fruit drinks. I won't use the term "soda" or "pop", because unlike the US equivalents, they actually taste like the fruit, not high fructose corn syrup with a faint hint of fruit. Orangina is widely available in France. You can find Tonisteiner (sp?) throughout the Germanic countries. This at least comes in a nice bottle, so you feel like you're ordering something more dignified than a Coke.
And finally... let me be clear, I'm not advocating this for a member of AA, I only sugget it as a least bad alternative... if the temptation appears to great, then in Germany you can stear your partner towards a Radler, which is half beer /half soda. Order the largest size possible. There's not enough alcohol to cause drunkeness unless you drink A LOT of them. The large fluid volume will fill the stomach, thus discouraging more than one or two rounds.
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia, USA
345 posts
Brianna and Tom have some good points, but I have to disagree with Tom on the Radler option. If alcohol is a problem, then even a little bit is not a good idea. Us human beings are great for rationalizing - "A little bit won't hurt." It can lead to the slippery slope of falling off the wagon.
Having said that, people handle these situations differently and your friend may be satisfied with something like a Radler and not be tempted by anything stronger. In the end, though, HE has to make that call.