I avoid alcohol for religious reasons--to be honest, I don't even know what it tastes like. So I can't say anything about how it would affect my productivity. Nonetheless, I've spent enough time around drinkers and at alcohol-centered events to know that it's not just about the central nervous system. The presence of alcohol at a tech event or workplace creates a particular atmosphere, and at times that atmosphere runs the risk of challenging or even excluding those who prefer not to drink.
What's problematic here isn't the mere presence of alcohol. I've never been annoyed that someone else was having a beer or cocktail. But when the people in charge assume that everyone drinks--and that's the case at most of the conferences I've attended--they fail to acknowledge the presence of recovering alcoholics, Mormons, Muslims, pregnant women, and other teetotallers, which makes us feel excluded. On my way into a tech conference after-party last year I said "no thank you" to some drink tokens and the person handing them out looked at me like I was from another planet.
It can also be uncomfortable to be around people who are buzzed or drunk. I guess the lowered inhibition seems normal to everyone else, but a few times I've been surprised and disappointed by a person's behavior when they were intoxicated. Of course, most people handle it really well, but it's too common for people to forget themselves and infringe on other people's boundaries when their BAC starts to rise.
I have nothing against casual/social drinkers. But would I be comfortable or productive in a workplace where the only available refreshment is beer and half my team is buzzed by mid-afternoon? Of course not. And I'd hate for "free beer" to be considered a perk or a benefit--it's a poor substitute for something I can actually enjoy, like higher compensation or a better health plan.
Anyway, I mean no offense to drinkers, but I hope if you're ever in charge of refreshments at work or at an event you'll consider the needs of non-drinkers.
I like drinking so I have never thought so much about the risk we create the atmosphere excluding those who don't drink for specific reasons. Only drinkers receive the benefit of "free beer".
I checked out the links. According to
11.1% checked “No restrictions — I can eat anything”
we need consideration for those who do not eat pizza or drink alcohol.
Thanks!
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I avoid alcohol for religious reasons--to be honest, I don't even know what it tastes like. So I can't say anything about how it would affect my productivity. Nonetheless, I've spent enough time around drinkers and at alcohol-centered events to know that it's not just about the central nervous system. The presence of alcohol at a tech event or workplace creates a particular atmosphere, and at times that atmosphere runs the risk of challenging or even excluding those who prefer not to drink.
What's problematic here isn't the mere presence of alcohol. I've never been annoyed that someone else was having a beer or cocktail. But when the people in charge assume that everyone drinks--and that's the case at most of the conferences I've attended--they fail to acknowledge the presence of recovering alcoholics, Mormons, Muslims, pregnant women, and other teetotallers, which makes us feel excluded. On my way into a tech conference after-party last year I said "no thank you" to some drink tokens and the person handing them out looked at me like I was from another planet.
It can also be uncomfortable to be around people who are buzzed or drunk. I guess the lowered inhibition seems normal to everyone else, but a few times I've been surprised and disappointed by a person's behavior when they were intoxicated. Of course, most people handle it really well, but it's too common for people to forget themselves and infringe on other people's boundaries when their BAC starts to rise.
I have nothing against casual/social drinkers. But would I be comfortable or productive in a workplace where the only available refreshment is beer and half my team is buzzed by mid-afternoon? Of course not. And I'd hate for "free beer" to be considered a perk or a benefit--it's a poor substitute for something I can actually enjoy, like higher compensation or a better health plan.
Anyway, I mean no offense to drinkers, but I hope if you're ever in charge of refreshments at work or at an event you'll consider the needs of non-drinkers.
Further reading:
Thank you for sharing your story, Isaac.
I like drinking so I have never thought so much about the risk we create the atmosphere excluding those who don't drink for specific reasons. Only drinkers receive the benefit of "free beer".
I checked out the links. According to
we need consideration for those who do not eat pizza or drink alcohol.
Thanks!