In today's world, people make drinking and smoking seem like another everyday task that's as common as brushing your teeth or drinking water. It's not.
I know a ton of people who don't drink or smoke. I've written time and time again how I don't think parties are fun. Believe it or not, I have a ton of friends who don't partake in any kind of substances.
We aren't some rare being that has to be watched from afar and is only talked about in storybooks. We exist, and we're real people with real feelings and real reasons for not participating in drinking and smoking culture.
For me, it's just never been fun. I've never had a good experience with it and I've decided it's something that's not for me.
I've seen a lot of really great people go downhill hard and fast after getting involved with drinking or drugs. It's scary, and I don't want to end up in that position myself.
When I tell you these things, you shouldn't act like I just told you I've committed murder. If that changes your opinion on me, that's your problem. I don't judge you for partying and going out, you definitely shouldn't judge me.
If you have a friend who doesn't drink or smoke, don't invite them out just because they'll make a good DD. If they don't offer, chances are they probably don't want to.
Not only that, but why would I want to hang out with people who only like me based on the fact that I'm always going to be a ride home? I want you to get home safely, and if you call me every once and a while I'd rather you be safe than putting yourself and everyone around you in danger.
However, if you find yourself expecting that of me all the time or volunteering me when I'm not even around, please don't talk to me. No offense, but I have better things to do. I'll order you an Uber from my bed, just make sure you pay me back later.
If we're hanging out and you pressure me to drink or smoke when I've explicitly told you "no," I will leave. Pressuring anyone to do anything that they don't want to do makes you a bad person and it's wrong.
"No" means no. No questions asked.
I can easily find other people to hang out with that enjoy doing normal people things and hanging out when we aren't going absolutely insane. No one's that special that I'll let them put me in that situation.
If you were really my "friend," you'd understand the first time.