‘Jonesy is in the same situation and he’s drinking! Come on stop being so dry!’
A common peer pressure argument. One that tries to undermine your excuse by showing an example of someone in the same situation who isn’t using your excuse.
But this argument is based on the thought that if someone else is doing it then it’s alright for you to do it.
Well then how far does this go? Would you use it to defend yourself in court?
‘I don’t believe I’m guilty your honour because Jonesy did it too.’
Or to use a more common phrase:
If everyone was jumping off a bridge would you?
I think that the poor people who cave to this argument forget that they are entitled to their own opinions and their own standards.
‘Jonesy is in the same situation and he’s drinking’
‘Good for Jonesy! I have a different opinion to him and I’m sticking to it’
Alternatively, if you’re feeling courageous you can show some vulnerability and admit to why you aren’t participating. Perhaps you’re feeling nervous about something. It’s a risk but it could get them to leave you alone.
Thomas Duggan 