Party - Alcohol

[grasshopper]

Hey people,

I have been invited to a dinner (only 4 people in total) and the "norm" around here is people take a bottle of champagne/ wine/ 6-pack of beer etc. as a guest, without going empty-handed. But I do not drink, period. What else is there to take to a party of young people other than booze? It would be rude to take a bottle to the party but decline a drink from the very bottle that you just gave them, wouldn't it? All suggestions are much appreciated, thank you

[retrofuturist]

Greetings

Ask them in advance if they need you to bring anything (e.g. dessert, salads)... then that can be the thing you bring.

Metta,
Retro.

[Dan74]

According to the anecdote I heard, a famous monk (Mahayana though) when visiting the US in the late 70ies, when invited and given wine, would happily toast with his hosts but not actually drink. Throughout the whole trip noone seemed to have noticed.

So if you brought the wine and you were poured some, you don't have to drink it. If they notice you can say why. If they don't, well...

It depends on the environment of course.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Take some chocolates.

[Paññāsikhara]

Sparkling grape juice, fruit juice, ... there are plenty of things.
The chocolates idea is a good one, too. (Just not the liquer center ones!)

[Ben]

I take a bottle or two of softdrink and something else, like a desert, salad, bread, chocolate.
And I've never had any grief over it.
And its no big deal being a non-drinker these days. We're everywhere!

[grasshopper]

Thank you very much all! Chocolates and dessert! Gosh, how could I forget, lol. The plan is to take garlic bread, ice cream and also a pot plant for the lovely hostess

[Mawkish1983]

And its no big deal being a non-drinker these days. We're everywhere!

True

[Monkey Mind]

Thank you very much all! Chocolates and dessert! Gosh, how could I forget, lol. The plan is to take garlic bread, ice cream and also a pot plant for the lovely hostess

Smooth! Nicely done! I asked a bhikkhu about this very situation. Answer: if you told people that your doctor has advised you to stop drinking, no one would question this. Buddha often compared himself to be a physician, so...

[Hanzze]

_/\_

[Sanghamitta]

Thank you very much all! Chocolates and dessert! Gosh, how could I forget, lol. The plan is to take garlic bread, ice cream and also a pot plant for the lovely hostess

Mahayana Buddhist would tell you that garlic is not that good. It develops hormones which are not beneficial for a peaceful mind. Chocolate hormones are good but some could identify it as happiness drugs
Give your self your happiness and joy is a good present.

Someone said one up a comic movie: Be just in the present... That is why it is called present!

Lets not confuse the issue by adding proscriptions that are not considered relevant in the Theravada....garlic has all sorts of health giving properties.
If the hostess was a Mahayana Buddhist it might be relevant.....

[Hanzze]

_/\_