upper and VP level management feature a lot of non-LDS. There's frequently a monthly evening at a bar. No big deal. When I first arrived, I went every month. I wanted to get to know people. I got some good gossip out of the deal too. What I realized, soon, however was that none of the people who would have an impact on my standing in the company ever attend these things. So tonight I just didn't go. It's not because I don't like the people who go. It's certainly not because I'm scared of being in a place that serves alcohol. It's just because it served no purpose and I'd rather be closer to home. (Which I am now wasting on CB, but that's another deal.)

If I were at a different place with more of a drinking culture, I think I'd show up the bare minimum to appear as a team player, but I'm always going to put family over socializing with coworkers--even if it negatively impacts my career movement. I get one life to live. I get one chance to raise my children. Trading that for money or coworker relationships seems like a bad priority to me.