DEAR MISS MANNERS: With work-related social events happening again in person, I will likely face unwanted attention over my beverage selection. I very rarely consume alcohol because of its unpleasant aftereffects on me (even from small quantities).
Almost inevitably in group settings, I'll be asked what I'm drinking -- and I don't want to draw attention to my own boring story of drinking habits nor be a killjoy to the merriment of others.
I've tried brightly responding "sparkling water" or "the Nogroni" (non-alcoholic Negroni). In most cases, this response allows the conversation to move on. But every so often there is a further inquiry that feels hard to shut down gracefully.
I know I can count on Miss Manners to offer a gracious yet snappy response to inquiries about nearly anything; does she have any suggestions for questions about alcohol (non-) consumption?
GENTLE READER: Gracious? Yes. Snappy? No.
Most clever responses come off as either insulting or admonishing. Better to stick with something simple -- and repeat it as often as necessary.
Miss Manners would have thought that for all the reasons not to drink -- including the most recent and amusing trend of being "sober-curious" -- people would have learned to mind their business. But she supposes that if they did, she would be put out of hers.