No alcohol at a class reunion - unusual?

[Acklander]

Doesn't EVERY party you go to (unless it's a pot luck) "dictate" what you could/could not drink/eat? I'm sorry, I just don't get the "no alcohol, then *I* won't go!". Maybe I should start asking party places if they're going to server Pepsi (my soda of choice)... if it's Coke, I'll stay at home.




Big time!

Sorry, I think it's "much ado about nothing".

There are 2 reunion events. One that is a family picnic that had traditionally been dry. And one a party that had traditionally had bar service. The reunion committee decided, amongst themselves, that they would ban alcohol from the evening event for whatever religious reasons they have. I think thats wrong. Now,if they had gotten feed back that the majority wanted 2 dry events that would be a different thing but the op stated that it's caused some sort of ruckus on facebook amongst those who had planned on attending so I would guess that the will of a few is being imposed on the masses. Again, I think thats wrong and if it were me, I'd be planning an alternative event for those who would prefer more of a "party" type celebration and get together.

 

[hambirg]

Never heard of this.

I wouldn't go. I enjoy a cocktail while socializing. I also don't like "ultra-religious folks" telling me what I can and can't do.

If they don't want to drink, they don't have to.

It sounds like a church picnic to me. Not my cup of tea.

You obviously haven't been to any Catholic picnics.

ETA- I think it's rather ridiculous for a few to dictate to grown adults that they can't have a drink at a reunion. . .especially if their reasoning is their personal religious beliefs. Ugh! One of my high school classmates owns a local bar, so our reunions are always there. Knowing my class, if given this situation, everyone would be in the parking lot tailgating it up, while the few organizers could sit inside and mingle with each other.

 

[Uncle Remus]

You obviously haven't been to any Catholic picnics.

OT story: I went to a Catholic festival once, it was fabulous, I won a case of beer playin' BlackJack!

 

[luvsJack]

Of all our reunions, only one was alcohol free. Maybe 15 people showed up?

The first one was obviously a huge party and lots of alcohol and lots of over-drinking. The last one (just this year) was the best one. There was a bar set up but we were at a music festival and everyone felt more comfortable with the drinking vs. non-drinking.

We have a few clergy in our alumni too, they don't seem to have a problem with it. They don't come to the reunion to preach, they come to see their former classmates. While they don't partake of the "refreshments" they don't make any particular judgement on them either. And they are a mixture of Baptists, Methodists and Pentacostle.

 

[DebIreland]

And why is one adult legal activity necessary to a party and one "ridiculous."

The comparison was ridiculous, not the stripping itself.

Both are totally legal for a group of adults. Or do you have a personal objection to strippers that you would "impose" on others if you were in charge?

Wow! There you go assuming too much again. Nah, no objections here. Not sure about dinner in your house but I often like a glass of wine with my dinner. However, the striptease accompaniment? Not so often. Same in restaurants. I go to restaurants that serve wine but I don't find myself frequenting restaurants that have strippers on the table. I'm just weird like that I guess. Dinner with wine or a beer - completely commonplace. Dinner with a stripper, much less commonplace.

 

[ms.yt]

Okay, let's hear from the OP...

Did the people complaining ask to help and get rejected?
Did the volunteers complain about doing the work?

And why is one adult legal activity necessary to a party and one "ridiculous." Both are totally legal for a group of adults. Or do you have a personal objection to strippers that you would "impose" on others if you were in charge?

Remember, this is my husband's reunion. I don't belong to the FB group about the reunion and I only know like two other people from his graduating class. I don't know about who may have asked for help or not. If it's anything like my class reunion a couple of years ago, they probably announced a planning meeting and only a few people showed up.

When that was the case for my reunion, me and one other person showed up. We then began looking at some possibilities, but before we officially set anything, we asked our classmates for their opinions first. With FB now, it's so easy to do that, but this step was skipped (according to my husband) with his class. They just mailed out the details with "no alcohol" plastered all over it about six times. That's when the FB debate broke out.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

Okay, let's hear from the OP...

Did the people complaining ask to help and get rejected?
Did the volunteers complain about doing the work?

And why is one adult legal activity necessary to a party and one "ridiculous." Both are totally legal for a group of adults. Or do you have a personal objection to strippers that you would "impose" on others if you were in charge?

I really don’t know how one can compare a stripper at a class reunion to enjoying a cocktail?

 

[Anne34]

Remember, this is my husband's reunion. I don't belong to the FB group about the reunion and I only know like two other people from his graduating class. I don't know about who may have asked for help or not. If it's anything like my class reunion a couple of years ago, they probably announced a planning meeting and only a few people showed up.

When that was the case for my reunion, me and one other person showed up. We then began looking at some possibilities, but before we officially set anything, we asked our classmates for their opinions first. With FB now, it's so easy to do that, but this step was skipped (according to my husband) with his class. They just mailed out the details with "no alcohol" plastered all over it about six times. That's when the FB debate broke out.

I'd just buy a coupls small bottles to put in my purse and make my own Rum & diet cokes!! Never heard of a class reunion without a cash bar. My reunion is next weekend at a sports bar! (25 Years!)

 

[Mkrop]

You obviously haven't been to any Catholic picnics.

ETA- I think it's rather ridiculous for a few to dictate to grown adults that they can't have a drink at a reunion. . .especially if their reasoning is their personal religious beliefs. Ugh! One of my high school classmates owns a local bar, so our reunions are always there. Knowing my class, if given this situation, everyone would be in the parking lot tailgating it up, while the few organizers could sit inside and mingle with each other.

Did we graduate from the same high school

 

[DebIreland]

I agree - the people who are upset that they are not getting the "choice" of alcohol can "choose" not to attend if a drink means that much to them.

Yes, and that would be my choice!

 

[sam_gordon]

There are 2 reunion events. One that is a family picnic that had traditionally been dry. And one a party that had traditionally had bar service. The reunion committee decided, amongst themselves, that they would ban alcohol from the evening event for whatever religious reasons they have. I think thats wrong. Now,if they had gotten feed back that the majority wanted 2 dry events that would be a different thing but the op stated that it's caused some sort of ruckus on facebook amongst those who had planned on attending so I would guess that the will of a few is being imposed on the masses. Again, I think thats wrong and if it were me, I'd be planning an alternative event for those who would prefer more of a "party" type celebration and get together.

Actually, the listed reasons for no alcohol were "incidents" at the 10 year reunion and that some members of the class had joined the clergy. I don't think we know that the committee used "religious reasons". OP said hubby doesn't remember anything from the 10 year reunion, but is it possible something happened after he left?
Is it possible the committee is worried about someone drinking too much and then driving?
I'm sorry I just don't get SOLELY turning down an event simply because they won't serve alcohol. Yes, I get the afternoon event is "dry". And this will make (heaven forbid) TWO "dry" events. How will anyone survive?
That being said, I went to my 10th anniversary, skipped my 20th and probably the rest. Had nothing to do with what they were serving.
Think about other events... would you skip a nieces wedding (for example) if there was no alcohol at the reception? What about you companies "Holiday Party"?
It just seems strange to me that people that are almost 40 years old MUST have alcohol to "have a good time".

 

[MrsPete]

I don't see the problem. I don't understand drinking alcohol every day -- I don't even think about alcohol every day. If I were planning the event, it would never occur to me to include alcohol.

 

[marcyinPA]

The only way I could get through my class reunion is by drinking plenty of alcohol.

My 25th is actually this weekend, and although there WILL be alcohol, and there were plenty of heavy drinkers in my class, I am not going. I just can't bring myself to go...

 

[AndreaDM]

My FIL is a Methodist pastor and enjoys a drink with the best of them!

If I REALLY wanted to see some classmates, I'd go, eat quick and then tell everyone who wanted to, to meet at a local bar to continue the socializing, and leave the fuddy duddys to clean up.

 

[kathie859]

The only way I could get through my class reunion is by drinking plenty of alcohol.

My 25th is actually this weekend, and although there WILL be alcohol, and there were plenty of heavy drinkers in my class, I am not going. I just can't bring myself to go...

marcyin PA.......you and I are cut from the same cloth. Even booze couldn't entice me to spend time with the people with whom I attended school. Though, God knows, a drink would certainly help me thru the ordeal should I ever choose to attend one.

 

[luvmy3]

I would go to the afternoon event, and then arrange a get together at a local bar. I wouldn't go to the reunion if there was no alcohol being served. To me that would be a night out, and yes I do enjoy a few cocktails when I get a night out with dh

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Actually, the listed reasons for no alcohol were "incidents" at the 10 year reunion and that some members of the class had joined the clergy. I don't think we know that the committee used "religious reasons". OP said hubby doesn't remember anything from the 10 year reunion, but is it possible something happened after he left?
Is it possible the committee is worried about someone drinking too much and then driving?
I'm sorry I just don't get SOLELY turning down an event simply because they won't serve alcohol. Yes, I get the afternoon event is "dry". And this will make (heaven forbid) TWO "dry" events. How will anyone survive?
That being said, I went to my 10th anniversary, skipped my 20th and probably the rest. Had nothing to do with what they were serving.
Think about other events... would you skip a nieces wedding (for example) if there was no alcohol at the reception? What about you companies "Holiday Party"?
It just seems strange to me that people that are almost 40 years old MUST have alcohol to "have a good time".

I had family members skip my wedding because the reception was dry. They were not missed.

I don't drink, and I did not go to my high school reunion...because I didn't want to. What beverages would or would not be offered did not factor into my decision.

Put any other beverage in place of alcohol and it just sounds ridiculous...I really like sweet tea, should I be upset if an event only serves unsweetened?

 

[mamacatnv]

I would not base my decision to attend on whether or not there was alcohol. However, I would base my decision to attend on the organizers dictating to me what I can and cannot drink at a dinner party in a public place.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

I had family members skip my wedding because the reception was dry. They were not missed.

I don't drink, and I did not go to my high school reunion...because I didn't want to. What beverages would or would not be offered did not factor into my decision.

Put any other beverage in place of alcohol and it just sounds ridiculous...I really like sweet tea, should I be upset if an event only serves unsweetened?

I think there is a huge difference between no sweet tea and no cocktails. There is an elegance, a mood about having a glass of wine or your favorite bourbon or whatever your “poison” may be.

I know it is difficult for some people to think of it like that. It makes me laugh when someone associates alcohol with people falling down drunk or getting rowdy. To me, a good glass of wine or a freezing cold martini can set the “mood”. It calms the nerves. It tastes good. Soothing and comfortable.

I couldn’t imagine slipping into my “little black dress” and slurping down a glass of sweet tea or coke with my Hors d'œuvres. That’s just me. I would like the option to PURCHASE a cocktail and such an event as a class reunion. No added cost to the “hosts”. But allow me the choice.

 

[kirstenb1]

this thread has made me sooo thirsty!!