When navigating social situations, it’s not uncommon for someone to ask you out for drinks. While it can be flattering, sometimes you may not be interested or simply prefer not to join them. The key is to decline their offer politely while maintaining respect. In this guide, we will provide you with tips and examples on how to say no to drinks with a guy in both formal and informal situations.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Decline Drinks with a Guy:
1. Be honest and straightforward:
“Thank you for the offer, but I prefer not to go for drinks.”
2. Apologize sincerely and offer an alternative:
“I appreciate the invitation, but I’m sorry, I can’t join you for drinks tonight. Maybe we can grab a coffee another time?”
3. Mention a prior commitment:
“I already have plans for tonight, but thank you for asking.”
4. Use personal preferences or health as an excuse:
“I’m currently not drinking alcohol, but I’d be happy to hang out in a different setting.”
5. Express gratitude and keep it polite:
“Thank you for the invitation, but I’m not interested in going for drinks. I hope you have a great time.”
Informal Ways to Decline Drinks with a Guy:
1. Keep it simple while being polite:
“Hey, thanks for asking, but I’m not really up for drinks tonight.”
2. Use humor to lighten the situation:
“I would love to, but my doctor prescribed a ‘no drinks with guys’ rule. Sorry!”
3. Propose an alternative plan:
“Drinks aren’t really my thing, but how about we go grab some ice cream instead?”
4. Mention a conflicting prior engagement:
“Thanks for the invite, but I’ve already made plans with friends tonight. Rain check?”
5. Be honest, yet gentle with your response:
“I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather just hang out as friends. Sorry.”
Tips for Politely Declining Drinks:
1. Respond promptly: Don’t leave the person hanging. Reply to their invitation as soon as possible.
2. Keep it respectful: Regardless of your answer, always maintain respect and don’t belittle the person inviting you.
3. Offer an alternative: If you’re interested in spending time with the person but not for drinks, suggest an alternative activity.
4. Be firm but kind: You don’t owe anyone an explanation, but it’s important to kindly express your lack of interest in going for drinks.
5. Use a confident and assertive tone: Confidence in your response will help avoid any misunderstandings or lingering expectations.
6. Practice saying no: It’s okay to decline invitations. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to politely turn down offers.
7. Trust your instincts: If you don’t feel comfortable going for drinks with someone, it’s perfectly valid to decline their invitation.
Examples of Declining Drink Invitations:
Formal:
Example 1:
Person A: “Would you like to grab drinks later?”
You: “I appreciate the offer, but I prefer not to go for drinks. Thank you for asking.”
Example 2:
Person A: “Let’s go out for drinks!”
You: “Thank you for the invitation, but I already have plans for tonight. Maybe another time.”
Example 3:
Person A: “How about we meet up at the bar?”
You: “I’m currently not drinking alcohol, but I’d be happy to hang out in a different setting. Thanks for the invite.”
Informal:
Example 1:
Person A: “Wanna grab some drinks?”
You: “Hey, thanks for asking, but I’m not really up for drinks tonight.”
Example 2:
Person A: “Let’s go out for drinks and have some fun!”
You: “Haha, sounds tempting, but my doctor prescribed a ‘no drinks with guys’ rule. Sorry!”
Example 3:
Person A: “Drinks tonight?”
You: “Drinks aren’t really my thing, but how about we go grab some ice cream instead?”
Remember, it’s perfectly okay to decline an offer for drinks with a guy for any reason. Your comfort and preferences matter. By using these tips and examples, you can gracefully decline and maintain a positive relationship with the person inviting you.
It’s important to note that these responses can be adjusted based on your specific situation and the person you’re interacting with. Use them as a guide but adapt them to your style and the context in which you’re declining the invitation. Trust your intuition and find a polite response that fits your personality.
