Bonding can happen in many places, so why focus it around alcohol, says Sharmadean Reid

I don’t like going to the pub after work either, and I’m often berated for this by my Beautystack colleagues. With a team heavy on developers, beer and pizza are as much a part of their language as PHP and JavaScript, but I don’t like the small talk, or the waste of my evening. I don’t like watching my colleagues getting drunk for no reason beyond social bonding.

Since bonding can happen in many places, why focus it around alcohol? I love celebratory drinking and a nice Friday evening cocktail in the sun, but not drinking every day. It slows down your brain, dehydrates you, gives you wrinkles and makes you tired.

So, to avoid being branded an antisocial snob, I’ve organised a local football pitch which means we can all play together once a week. We bond outside the office, they won’t miss me at the pub – plus I get to show off my skills. My golden rule is: if you don’t like your environment, change it. Don’t moan.

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I can feel you’re worried about missing out. I don’t think you’re missing out on the bonding, but it’s true you could be missing out on work intel. In some companies, a local drinking haunt is an extension of the office. If this is the case, see it as an opportunity to get to know your colleagues better, to understand the company – and get all that inside information that slips out after alcoholic lubrication.

I would aim to go once a fortnight and get the lowdown. Just don’t get wasted.

• Send your questions for Sharmadean to bossing.it@theguardian.com