Be a DD Hero! Tips and Reasons Why Being the Designated Driver Isn’t a Such a Bad Thing:

​Choosing to be the designated driver is a major responsibility to uphold. You are making a promise to your friends and loved ones that you will take ‘one for the team’ to ensure that everyone has a fun but safe evening. Being a DD doesn’t have to feel like burden. You can have a great time, even if you aren’t drinking. Here are some tips and reasons why being the Designated Driver is the hip thing to be:  

• Make sure to lay out some ground rules and boundaries a few days before the big night out. It doesn’t hurt to remind your friends on the car ride going to the bar. Make sure everyone is on the same page. Just because you’re the DD for the night, doesn’t mean you are a babysitter. You deserve to have a fun and memorable evening out with friends just as much as they do. Just because you’re a DD for the night doesn’t mean your friends can go buck wild and leave you to pick up the pieces. Your job is to ensure everyone is safe and having fun…not to be their caretaker. If they can’t respect your boundaries, then they have no right to be going out with you. Examples of some boundaries would be “I am not going to be running around all over the bar to make sure you aren’t acting like a fool. If I do notice you are acting too crazy I am going to cut you off.” Or “I don’t want to be running around looking for you guys at the end of the night. We will meet at point A and this time.” If they are truly your friends, they will understand and respect your wishes. After all, you have had a long work week and you don’t need to be placed in a position where you are feeling like you are working on your night off.

Your job is to ensure everyone is safe and having fun…not to be their caretaker.

• Celebrate knowing you won’t have to sacrifice your next day gym session or brunch or leisurely day, because your head is glued to the toilet seat. While your friends are nursing a nasty hangover and wishing for death, being the DD allows you to have a fun night without feeling crappy or sick the following day.

• Having a sense of humor goes a long way. Yes, you have to be alert and monitor what is going on throughout the evening. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, dance, play bar games, flirt with the hot person, meet new people or laugh about how silly your friends are acting. To resist the slightest temptation, stay away from the bar as much as possible. This will be a tremendous help and ensure that you won’t be suckered into having free shots or drinks being offered to you. 

• You will save money! While your friends are shelling out $10+ on their chosen poison, you will be saving money by ordering seltzer or a soft drink. 

• Just because you’re having water, soda or juice doesn’t mean you can’t dress it up. Ask the bartender to make you a mock-tini or to add an umbrella or garnishes to your non-alcoholic drink. Your mock-tini will blend in with sea of alcoholic beverages and will help to avoid dreaded conversations about why you aren’t drinking or having people attempt to peer pressure you into “one drink” which can become overwhelming and damper the evening. 

• Ask your local bar or club if they have programs that give incentives and perks to those who choose to be the designated driver.

​Here at Touch of Texas, we participate in our own designated driver incentive program.
As a DD at Touch of Texas, you will receive:

• Free admission.
• Free non-alcoholic beverages.
• 25% off appetizers.
• Unlimited Bull-Rides! 

Our door staff will give the DD a special wristband to receive perks. 
Being a designated driver is a big responsibility. Don’t back down on your promise and succumb to peer pressure. You made a vow to ensure everyone arrives to the bar and home safely. The evening is what you make it out to be. Drink that mock-tini with pride and have a fun and responsible evening!