# Holiday Drinking Etiquette Survey Reveals 52% Find 'Why Aren't You Drinking?' Inappropriate

> 52% of Americans say asking why someone isn't drinking at holidays is inappropriate, per new survey.
- Title: Holiday Drinking Etiquette Survey Reveals 52% Find 'Why…
- Summary: 52% of Americans say asking why someone isn't drinking at holidays is inappropriate, per new survey.
- Keywords: holiday drinking, survey, 52%, baby boomers, gen z, moderation, alcohol etiquette, holiday party, New York Post
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/11/09/lifestyle/over-half-of-americans-say-this-question-is-inappropriate-to-ask-during-the-holidays-survey
- Published: 2026-11-09T18:20:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: holiday drinking, survey, 52%, baby boomers, gen z, moderation, alcohol etiquette, holiday party, news, entertainment
## Holiday Drinking Question Survey
A survey of 2,000 Americans aged 21 and older who drink alcohol found 52% consider it inappropriate to ask why someone isn't drinking at a holiday gathering.
## Generational Divide in Drinking Etiquette
74% of baby boomers consider the question inappropriate compared with 37% of Gen Z, showing a clear generational divide.
## Top Holiday Drinking Etiquette Faux Pas
63% find pressuring someone to drink inappropriate, followed by overindulging (59%) and commenting on drinking (50%).
## Moderation Tops Drinking Priorities
53% say moderation will shape their drinking behavior at holidays, ahead of taste (46%) and socializing (43%).
## Comfort in Stopping Drinking
74% feel comfortable being the first to stop drinking, while 77% are comfortable not drinking when others are drinking.
## Generational Confidence in Choices
55% of Gen Z report increased confidence declining drinks compared with 42% of baby boomers.
## Hosts Should Offer Non-Alcoholic Options
82% believe hosts should provide appealing non-alcoholic drink options to accommodate all guests.
## Youth Lead in Alcohol-Free Choices
58% of Gen Z would choose non-alcoholic alternatives compared with 34% of baby boomers.
## Key takeaway

52% of drinkers find it inappropriate to ask why someone isn't drinking at holiday parties, with baby boomers more likely to consider the question inappropriate than Gen Z.