Etiquette expert shares how to politely refuse more drinks during parties and gatherings

There's nothing like enjoying a glass of wine with friends, but as we get older, we have to be careful not to overdo it. Our alcohol tolerance lowers as we age, so we have to be more careful about how much we drink.

It can be tempting to drink more wine than we should, especially when everyone around us is drinking and having a good time.

Speaking of which, it is not unusual for your friends and loved ones to invite you for more drinks whenever you're in these kinds of gatherings. So, how can you politely refuse when an important person offers you another drink?



It's always tricky to know how to politely say no, especially when it comes to drinks. But luckily, wine and etiquette expert Dr Lee is here to help!

In a recent TikTok post, Dr Lee shared three ‘proper’ ways to politely decline more drinks.



Credit: TikTok/@apwasiwine


The first tip is to simply say, ‘I would love to thank you very much, but I've reached my limit.’ To really emphasize this, Dr Lee suggests covering the mouth of the wine glass or the top rim of the glass.

The second way to say no is to simply state that you're driving. According to Dr Lee, this excuse is one of the best ways to signal that you don't want any more drinks.

And if the person insistent on buying you a drink doesn't take the hint, Dr Lee suggests placing your hand on the lip of the glass and saying, ‘Thank you very much indeed, but I've had enough for tonight.’

7Ut8VIB1VBBw8UDjv96kzw2NWPw-nwQYpjsciiYBIOgikxRUg3hbrKCTjBKYxIG1HVGXN8X94mDIoGk6vpAILGuL-mryWRVdRhCr4M_kWB4FAOEXVzfYkgV4q4VrXqSo8iwM5FvOso81fCdX-2yVfg
O44fZ1xlBODj9XAGPzc3u3EJOMPD39mu-h9u9FS5r9qxGc-neaTRVJ9amQAg2Sq7Lq8L3ctpfaAtNYK1Fmy0sPNOQOpAavOqPO7KbMMf7U-5-oOxGoj_-iJztj86qzDxC6YSvnQgBIRvCtOzhFIpSQ

Etiquette and wine expert Dr Lee shared three tips for properly declining more drinks during a party or gathering. Credit: TikTok/@apwasiwine.

Dr Lee’s video has gone viral, amassing more than 6 million views and hundreds of comments from users who were stunned by the tips, with many expressing thanking the expert for sharing them.

One user wrote: ‘Very helpful. Always hard to push back.’

While several users found these tips useful, many poked fun at them, saying that they could never refuse a drink if someone offers them at a party.

One person joked: ‘As a gentleman, I would have to accept their hospitality and get a cab.’

‘3 things you won’t hear me say in a hurry,’ another joked.

A third chimed in: ‘This would have been very useful back in college.’



Others were curious about how you could politely refuse the offer if the other party keeps insisting.

One user asked: ‘What if they KEEP insisting? How far can we go? Do I hide the glass at some point?’

The question prompted other users to share their own tips, with many saying that the best trick is to let the host pour some liquor and carry it around without drinking it.

One person explained: ‘If you are done drinking, keep your glass half full. Carry around a drink. People don’t notice if you are drinking it or not.’



While it's always useful to know how to say no politely, sometimes it can be difficult to do so in the moment. If you find yourself in a situation where you're struggling to decline another drink, try one of these three tips from Dr Lee!

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, do you know other tips for politely refusing drinks during a party or gathering? Share them with us in the comments below!
 
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Reactions: Ricci and BJM
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Um, what's wrong with just politely saying no thank you? I don't drink so I'm not sure of the etiquette but I'm sure that none of my friends would push a drink onto someone who thought they had reached their limit.:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Suzanne rose
There's nothing like enjoying a glass of wine with friends, but as we get older, we have to be careful not to overdo it. Our alcohol tolerance lowers as we age, so we have to be more careful about how much we drink.

It can be tempting to drink more wine than we should, especially when everyone around us is drinking and having a good time.

Speaking of which, it is not unusual for your friends and loved ones to invite you for more drinks whenever you're in these kinds of gatherings. So, how can you politely refuse when an important person offers you another drink?



It's always tricky to know how to politely say no, especially when it comes to drinks. But luckily, wine and etiquette expert Dr Lee is here to help!

In a recent TikTok post, Dr Lee shared three ‘proper’ ways to politely decline more drinks.



Credit: TikTok/@apwasiwine


The first tip is to simply say, ‘I would love to thank you very much, but I've reached my limit.’ To really emphasize this, Dr Lee suggests covering the mouth of the wine glass or the top rim of the glass.

The second way to say no is to simply state that you're driving. According to Dr Lee, this excuse is one of the best ways to signal that you don't want any more drinks.

And if the person insistent on buying you a drink doesn't take the hint, Dr Lee suggests placing your hand on the lip of the glass and saying, ‘Thank you very much indeed, but I've had enough for tonight.’

7Ut8VIB1VBBw8UDjv96kzw2NWPw-nwQYpjsciiYBIOgikxRUg3hbrKCTjBKYxIG1HVGXN8X94mDIoGk6vpAILGuL-mryWRVdRhCr4M_kWB4FAOEXVzfYkgV4q4VrXqSo8iwM5FvOso81fCdX-2yVfg
O44fZ1xlBODj9XAGPzc3u3EJOMPD39mu-h9u9FS5r9qxGc-neaTRVJ9amQAg2Sq7Lq8L3ctpfaAtNYK1Fmy0sPNOQOpAavOqPO7KbMMf7U-5-oOxGoj_-iJztj86qzDxC6YSvnQgBIRvCtOzhFIpSQ

Etiquette and wine expert Dr Lee shared three tips for properly declining more drinks during a party or gathering. Credit: TikTok/@apwasiwine.

Dr Lee’s video has gone viral, amassing more than 6 million views and hundreds of comments from users who were stunned by the tips, with many expressing thanking the expert for sharing them.

One user wrote: ‘Very helpful. Always hard to push back.’

While several users found these tips useful, many poked fun at them, saying that they could never refuse a drink if someone offers them at a party.

One person joked: ‘As a gentleman, I would have to accept their hospitality and get a cab.’

‘3 things you won’t hear me say in a hurry,’ another joked.

A third chimed in: ‘This would have been very useful back in college.’



Others were curious about how you could politely refuse the offer if the other party keeps insisting.

One user asked: ‘What if they KEEP insisting? How far can we go? Do I hide the glass at some point?’

The question prompted other users to share their own tips, with many saying that the best trick is to let the host pour some liquor and carry it around without drinking it.

One person explained: ‘If you are done drinking, keep your glass half full. Carry around a drink. People don’t notice if you are drinking it or not.’



While it's always useful to know how to say no politely, sometimes it can be difficult to do so in the moment. If you find yourself in a situation where you're struggling to decline another drink, try one of these three tips from Dr Lee!

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, do you know other tips for politely refusing drinks during a party or gathering? Share them with us in the comments below!

He is not drunk, who from the floor can raise his glass and ask for more.

Or the following!
One Martini,
Two Martini,
Three Martini,
FLOOR?.
 
Hmm I don't do what I don't want too so have no problem saying no. By saying no shouldn't offend anyone if anything the offender is the one trying to get someone to drink. That's a situation I was in when I was 16 not 60
 
Last edited:
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Reactions: Ricci
You should never have to explain why you dont want any more to drink. Often the person insisting is doing so, so they dont feel guilty about continuing to drink. Even if you are given another drink, you dont have to drink it. Your life, your right. No etiquette needed.
 
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Reactions: Ricci

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