What he said.

It's damn 2012. There are lots of people who don't drink for lots of reasons.

Another option is to offer to pick them up at their hotel and be the DD.

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Posted by Mike da Tigah

Bravo Romeo Lima Alpha

Member since Feb 2005

59140 posts

Posted on 7/20/12 at 10:07 am to YouCantSeeMe

quote:
Drink what you want and own it.

Exactly. Well said. This has more to do with mental outlook than drinking or abstaining.

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Posted by notiger1997

Metairie

Member since May 2009

58503 posts

Posted on 7/20/12 at 10:08 am to Mike da Tigah

One of the companies I worked for had a CEO who didn’t drink at all. I remember a few times seeing him at after work functions drinking diet coke while standing among several people who were drinking. Dinner parties were the same way. He was a great guy and everyone liked him. Not an issue at all.

My first job out of college I worked for a very small company. They considered themselves to be a Christian company and did not believe in alcohol anywhere/anytime. That was fine if it was just us at a dinner or for our Christmas party, but it got uncomfortable when customers were taken out to dinner.

I went with them once to Ruth’s Chris and it was awkward as hell to hear the owner tell 3 customers that there would be no wine or any other alcohol at the table because he didn’t believe in it and would not allow it on his company credit card.

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Posted by Y.A. Tittle

Member since Sep 2003

101974 posts

Posted on 7/20/12 at 10:12 am to Mike da Tigah

quote:
Unless your customers are teenagers, recent college grads, or maybe blue collar tough guys or the like, I really just don't see someone saying they don't drink as being perceived as anything odd or put offish, unless you make a bid deal of it or act self righteous about it. Most educated professionals have enough maturity about them to look over nonsense like drinking or not drinking, unless like has been said, you come off like it's a big deal. Just be yourself, be jovial and warm and normal people will accept you as such and warm up to you regardless.

This. I've been on numerous business type dinners where some folks drink and some folks don't. I can't say I've ever made it a point to try to note or care as to who's doing what.

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Posted by Mike da Tigah

Bravo Romeo Lima Alpha

Member since Feb 2005

59140 posts

Posted on 7/20/12 at 10:13 am to notiger1997

quote:
I went with them once to Ruth’s Chris and it was awkward as hell to hear the owner tell 3 customers that there would be no wine or any other alcohol at the table because he didn’t believe in it and would not allow it on his company credit card.

See, that's absurd, and exactly not how to do things. Customer should have agreed, and when the waiter came to take the orders said "yes, I think I'll have a glasss of the Jesus Special, water turned into wine."

This post was edited on 7/20/12 at 10:15 am

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Posted by cuyahoga tiger

NE Ohio via Tangipahoa

Member since Nov 2011

5872 posts

Posted on 7/20/12 at 10:42 am to miamitiger

I am a sales rep and regularly entertain customers around the country. Some drink, some don't. Sometimes I drink, sometimes I don't. Don't make a big deal out of it and you don't have to explain your decision to not drink. . Never be dishonest with a prospect/customer. Bring tangible information to meeting and keep the conversation lively. Be confident and you will be fine.

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