Using data from an epidemiological study of mainland Puerto Rican drinking, this work compares the self-generated alcohol expectancies of Puerto Rican drinkers and abstainers. While positive expectancies are more characteristic of drinkers, especially "heavy drinkers," negative expectancies are more characteristic of abstainers, especially lifetime abstainers. Results are discussed in terms of the cultural influences on alcohol expectancies and the positivity bias in alcohol expectancy research.