Why I Don’t Smoke or Drink (And What People Get Wrong About It)

Let’s get this out of the way:
No, I’m not “holier-than-thou.”
No, it’s not because I’m scared, or because my parents would kill me (though, maybe that’s a small part).

My Reason? It’s Simple.

I just never felt the need.

I’ve been to the parties, sat at the table with all the glasses, watched the smoke float around me.
And I’m not going to lie—sometimes, I wondered what the hype was all about.
But every time, the same thought came up:
Do I really want this, or am I just trying to fit in?

The Pressure Is Real

The jokes, the nudges, the classic “Bro, ek try toh kar le.”
Some nights, saying no feels more rebellious than giving in.

But I realized, if I can’t be myself when everyone else is doing something, then what’s the point of being there at all?

What People Get Wrong

• It’s not about judging anyone who does.
• It’s not about being “boring” or missing out.
• It’s not about being scared of the “bad stuff.”

For me, it’s just a choice—like picking chai over beer, or silence over noise.
And honestly, the best conversations I’ve ever had happened over cutting chai, not a shot glass.

What I’ve Learned

• You don’t need to drink or smoke to have fun, to make memories, or to be a part of the group.
• Real friends don’t care what’s in your glass—they care about what’s in your heart.
• The best version of me is the one that’s comfortable, not the one that’s “trying to fit in.”

Will I Ever Try It?

Maybe, maybe not.
But if I do, it’ll be on my own terms—not because I was afraid to say no.

If you’re someone who feels out of place for not joining in—trust me, you’re not alone.
Do your thing. The right people will respect it. The rest don’t matter.

Pulket (Pulkit Aggarwal)