How to respectfully turn down free drinks

[Jscriv]

I just say no thank you. I do drink buy I have a pretty strict limit when I'm playing. Especially if I have to drive. If they press the issue, I tend to get a little bit snippy about it. Any respectable person will back off once someone says no, I have to drive.

 

[Relayer71]

There is a person who is well known in the area with a really bad reputation that attends our bands live shows. He is always buying the band drinks and makes it a point to bring them up to the stage while we are playing and sets them in front of us. When its break time we are then hounded by this person who attempts to look like a friend. Any suggestions on how to politely avoid this individual?

I only read up to the 2nd page but it seems like many of the replies are either not taking into account or don't understand what "bad reputation" can mean.

Let me guess... is this a connected guy? A made guy? Cartel?

Take the drinks, say thanks, and leave it at that. And don't look in his direction. No one will assume you're friends if you don't say more than "thank you".

Want him off your back? I know a guy, send me a PM.


(I kid!!! I don't know any "guys", I swear! )

 

[MVE]

I just say, “thanks but no shots for me. Cheers!”

 

[skycruiser]

How about, Hey thanks man, that's a very nice gesture but we don't need or accept any drinks when we play.

Be nice, no need to explain anything.

 

[Wood and Wire]

“Due to a rare medical condition, I can’t consume fluids orally. But I appreciate it.”

That's ok buddy, I can serve it to you the Stevie Nicks way. Now bend over, and let me find a straw...

 

[dalahorse]

My brother-in-law, who played keyboard in lots of live bands, does this trick. He tells the bartender that if anyone wants to buy me any sort of a drink, just bring me a ginger ale with a slice of lime. I will let you decide how to bill the customer.

As a drummer, I can't be under the influence of anything if I want to keep things steady. I don't gig anymore. But in the past, I'd tip the bartender(s) to tell the customers I prefer vodka, but then bring me water. Everybody won.

 

[AcadianBassman]

I usually just pass them off to other patrons or someone I know. That way, the drink isn't wasted and I don't have to go into a whole explanation that I don't drink and why. Another thing I've stopped doing - shaking hands at gigs! There is always some guy who never learned to properly shake hands and has to squeeze like they are trying to get oil of your finger tips! This, I have an excuse for - hand surgery.

 

[fhm555]

…we no longer touch anything that has not been delivered by bar staff…
…Perhaps you could let the bar management/staff in on the situation. If the person is a regular, shouldn't be too much trouble to have them simply pour alcohol-free sodas when this dude steps up to the bar...

I don’t drink so any time I play in a bar I always make a point to give the bartender a heads up so if anyone buys the band a round, I get juice or soda and the bar gets to charge for a mixed drink. So far it has always worked out. On the rare occasion someone steps up with a fist full of drinks I thank them and tell them I don’t drink. I’ve only had one individual give me a ration of poopie about it. I just held my mud and thanked him for the thought and went back to my business.

 

[Parzival]

It can be dicey. I don’t drink shots much at all anymore, especially not while playing. Few beers is it. But I’ve nicely turned folks down and some people get really offended. We’re in the South and sometimes it’s like you insulted someone’s honor.
I just take them and put them out of sight and give to someone else later.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

" You mind if I give this to the drummer?"

 

[Whale guy]

Thanks but we play better, pack up better and drive better without alcohol. I hope you understand.

 

[Tom Bomb]

In his own little world, Captain Bzzzsht holds sway.
​

 

[BlueTalon]

Not a good idea. Eyedrops can cause convulsions and potentially fatal respiratory crisis for susceptible individuals if swallowed. People have been prosecuted for doing that.

What the heck is in those eye drops?

 

[Killing Floor]

I wouldn't do it. Don't want to be rude.

 

[40Hz]

What the heck is in those eye drops?

Tetrahydrozoline. A common ingredient in eyedrops like Visine that advertise they “get the red out.”

Per the American Academy of Opthamology:

“Eye drops designed to treat redness are not intended to be consumed orally. If swallowed, the medication can cause illness and even death. The poisonous effect made headlines when Lana Clayton, 52, was Invalid Link Removed by adding redness-relieving eye drops to his drinking water for three days
.
.
.
What happens if you drink eye drops?
Intentionally or accidentally drinking eye drops can lead to toxic blood levels. When used in the eyes as directed to reduce redness, these types of eye drops are not absorbed systemically in amounts that lead to toxicity.​

When consumed orally, Invalid Link Removed passes quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly reaching the blood and the central nervous system.​

Symptoms of an overdose of tetrahydrozoline include drowsiness, slow breathing or absence of breathing, slow heartbeat, hypothermia and possibly even coma.”​

Source: Red-Eye Drops: Poisonous to Drink, Safe If Used Correctly

 

[retslock]

I'd just tell him I don't drink and leave the free drink where he left it. If he doesn't respect your position then he will waste his money and that's not your problem.

 

[40Hz]

I'd just tell him I don't drink and leave the free drink where he left it. If he doesn't respect your position then he will waste his money and that's not your problem.

^This.

I just politely thank them and say I don’t drink when I’m working.

 

[BlueTalon]

If it's early in the evening and someone offers me a drink while I'm on break, I'm often happy to let them order a beer for me, in which case the glass goes directly from the bartender's hand to mine. If it's later in the evening, I'll respond with thanks, but explain that I'll be driving soon, so no thanks, but I appreciate the thought.

 

[yaksonator]

Say, no thank you. If they're offended then say, why didn't you ask me first? Why did you assume I drink or can drink or want to drink?

 

[bikeplate]

A simple “no thanks” has never failed me