Alcohol

gingin_2

I am from Cambridge and although these people could have been from anywhere, pubs by the river and drinking with children is very common here. It's been a big part of our social life and of a summer evening we quite often sit by the river with a drink, or two,or three and let the children play, feed the ducks, play with other children. In the winter it's not uncommon for kids to be inside the pub. It's a part of the social culture here.

marisco_2

pukkamum wrote: »

When I see pictures of town centres filled with vomiting fighting collapsed young people I despair at a culture that encourages this kind of behaviour

Oh I know what you mean. I went on three hen do's last year and came away feeling very old and out of touch. Some of the depressing sights I saw in Newcastle, Glasgow and London, late on a Saturday night were not pretty. People who had no control of themselves at all, paraletic on the ground unable to get up. One was laying on the edge of the path, clinging to the kerb shouting 'help me, I am going to fall off the edge of the world' Please god what an idiot

The streets looked like a battle field, fights were breaking out. I was glad to get away from it all and back to the hotel for a hot chocolate. Had a full English the next morning just to wind up my hungover mates, much to their horror

sassyblue

marisco wrote: »

There was a small number of people though who were getting very pickled. From what my friends and I could see some had kids with them. Maybe I am not with the times but common sense tells me that kids, water and alcohol dont mix.

What are your views folks?

Depends if both parents were getting rat ar5ed, if they were they're hardly fit to parent are they? Which would then be irresponsible.

I don't see the point in going out, spending money to get blotted then be ill, l also hate being sick. I did it once and never again, never felt so ill.

I may be boring but l don't like the culture and reputation we have in the UK for drinking, each to their own though.

bitemebankers

gingin wrote: »

I think there is a difference between getting merry with friends and secretive drinking at home and becoming drunk.

Indeed. The former group are most frequently in denial about their drug addiction.

VestanPance

I'm not tea-total, but I very rarely drink even when I could. More often than not I prefer a non-alcoholic drink. I never drink in the house either. I'd much rather have a coffee when at home.

I do find some people struggle to deal with someone not drinking alcohol and choosing an alternative. In Scotland some folk even seem offended when I'd rather have a coffee or soft drink rather than sit and drink alcohol. Either that or they assume you must have had an alcohol problem in the past, like that is the only logical why you would refuse alcohol! I do find it sad that adults still try to pressure you into drinking, as if I can't make up my own mind as to what I'm doing.

I did the drinking thing when younger and to be honest I grew out of it. British drinking culture bores me. I'm not a much of a pub person anyway. I'd rather go out for a meal than visit a pub. I'll have the odd drink now and again, but I probably drink alcohol around three/four times a year on average.

ognum

I am interested in this thread because it feels as if it's important to declare you are not tea-total.

this something I have battled with because, I did give up alcohol about 6 years ago for various reason. I thought it would be for 3 months but it continued and now I have no desire to drink at all.

Somehow though some people believe you will never be a fun person again, the culture is to drink not to abstain. It has taken some friends a long time to understand that I am actually happy not drinking and still fun!

I do think that if you have young children you need to remain sober maybe one drink perhaps two.

marisco_2

I once got asked in Glasgow if I was a recovering alcoholic, by a bar man, because I had been ordering myself soft drinks all night :eek: Is that the norm up there? :rotfl:

I think the drinking culture is far more sophisticated in Europe, at least till the British arrive.

VestanPance

marisco wrote: »

I once got asked in Glasgow if I was a recovering alcoholic, by a bar man, because I had been ordering myself soft drinks all night :eek: Is that the norm up there? :rotfl:

That is on the extreme end of things, even for this neck of the woods. Although many will think there's something wrong with you for not drinking.

marisco_2

The bar man certainly seemed to think I was a bit odd. He looked most put out when I ordered a coffee at the end of the evening and asked if I was winding him up. He never did make me that coffee :rotfl:

bitemebankers

marisco wrote: »

The bar man certainly seemed to think I was a bit odd. He looked most put out when I ordered a coffee at the end of the evening and asked if I was winding him up. He never did make me that coffee :rotfl:

That kind of thing is certainly not unique to Scotland. My ex-in-laws were also landlords of a pub (in the Midlands) and drinking heavily was practically compulsory at all family get-togethers. I found it pretty unpleasant.