Do we focus too much on alcohol in our culture?
I'm not exactly against it, but most media (obviously where it fits) seems to include it in some capacity. It may be a realistic portrayal, but that does make me wonder if we ourselves are too fixated on drink.
you phrase that as if the media is the reason why we have alcohol in our culture instead of alcohol in our culture causing that media relation. and honestly, I don't think we're too focused on alcohol here. I think that other cultures simply aren't as open about it. for example, america has a crazy drinking age which kind of stunts their ability to fully enjoy alcohol because that law makes it that much more taboo
Original post by PurpleNerple
you phrase that as if the media is the reason why we have alcohol in our culture instead of alcohol in our culture causing that media relation. and honestly, I don't think we're too focused on alcohol here. I think that other cultures simply aren't as open about it. for example, america has a crazy drinking age which kind of stunts their ability to fully enjoy alcohol because that law makes it that much more taboo
Yeah I didn't mean it in that kind of way. I was thinking more of the lines of people wanting art to imitate life.
Original post by Goat Boy
Yes, far, far too much focus on alcohol when there are so many vastly superior drugs around.
Maybe if the government could get a slice of the profits from them...
Original post by Aria Enoshima
Yeah I didn't mean it in that kind of way. I was thinking more of the lines of people wanting art to imitate life.
well personally it depends on your view of alcohol to judge whether we're "too open". I'm extremely socially liberal on most things so I don't have an issue with alcohol in our culture because I don't associate it with addiction and liver cancer (etc) like a minority of people might do. I actually think that we ought to (or at least "could") reduce our drinking age to 16 like germany as I don't see them having alcohol problems with their youths. what's your view though? too much alcohol in our culture?
From what I read, young people today (God I sound old) are drinking less than at any other time:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25657004
I don't think it's anything to be worried about.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25657004
I don't think it's anything to be worried about.
Yes.
I've had quite an 'international' life for the past few years. In certain circles I feel like an alcoholic.
I remember when studying in China, I told an American friend I wanted to start drinking less on weekends. A short while later, people were talking about their plans for a certain Friday night. My American friend said to me, "Oh wait no you can't, can you? You said you don't want to drink because you have a problem."
A problem.
I've had quite an 'international' life for the past few years. In certain circles I feel like an alcoholic.
I remember when studying in China, I told an American friend I wanted to start drinking less on weekends. A short while later, people were talking about their plans for a certain Friday night. My American friend said to me, "Oh wait no you can't, can you? You said you don't want to drink because you have a problem."
A problem.
It's a big part of our culture. Every tourist coming to Britain wants to visit a typical pub and most want to try a cask ale. We're renowned for having alcohol as our number one social lubricant. Tea is number two. It's been like that here since the dawn of time. So from a health perspective, it's actually pretty welcoming news if anything that young people are drinking less. Bad news for someone like me that enjoys drinking and pubs.
Personally, I think our cultural approach is fine, if perhaps behind western continental Europe. No/little taboo regarding adolescents exposed to alcohol, knowing when to stop, not shying away. That said, I don't think it's possible to change that overnight here. Lowering the drinking age to 16 would be a big mistake in my opinion.
The worst kind of approach is the Jekyll and Hyde way the Scandis and Americans look at it. There's a big, big taboo against daytime and solo drinking. but if it's Saturday night in Stockholm you've no excuse. Must be the cold...
Personally, I think our cultural approach is fine, if perhaps behind western continental Europe. No/little taboo regarding adolescents exposed to alcohol, knowing when to stop, not shying away. That said, I don't think it's possible to change that overnight here. Lowering the drinking age to 16 would be a big mistake in my opinion.
The worst kind of approach is the Jekyll and Hyde way the Scandis and Americans look at it. There's a big, big taboo against daytime and solo drinking. but if it's Saturday night in Stockholm you've no excuse. Must be the cold...
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Aria Enoshima
I'm not exactly against it, but most media (obviously where it fits) seems to include it in some capacity. It may be a realistic portrayal, but that does make me wonder if we ourselves are too fixated on drink.
No we are not fixated. Alcohol is part of the British way of life. The pub is meant to be the centre of community life.
Original post by shawn_o1
Drink AND drug culture is getting out of hand in the western world, their economic prospects are only going down as it seems less and less of the western youth have or even want the skills for a successful career.
Drink culture is not getting out of hand. Thousands of pubs are shutting down up and down the country. Although, I do admit their is a drug problem. Drugs should be remain being banned.
No.
I am of the beleif that more drugs (at least all Class Cs) should be legal. The Government shouldn't decide what people do with their own bodies.
I am of the beleif that more drugs (at least all Class Cs) should be legal. The Government shouldn't decide what people do with their own bodies.
It is a a fundamental part of how we socialise. To me, an alcohol free party or lemonade after work on a Friday just doesn't work. Its not on the sidelines, it is an integral part of our culture that you can't get rid of.
I think like a lot of cultural things, most people like and are comfortable with their own culture. I don't think it is a good thing objectively but it was how I was brought up and all I have ever known so I wouldn't want to be without alcohol now. Of course, people who aren't from drinking cultures won't really get it but the same goes for any cultural tradition.
On the comparison with drugs, I don't necessarily disagree on liberalising drug laws but alcohol is different for two very important reasons. The first is cultural. Alcohol in our culture is older than the nation itself. The second is that because of its widespread use and the ease with which it can be manufactured, it would be impossible to enforce a ban on alcohol.
I think like a lot of cultural things, most people like and are comfortable with their own culture. I don't think it is a good thing objectively but it was how I was brought up and all I have ever known so I wouldn't want to be without alcohol now. Of course, people who aren't from drinking cultures won't really get it but the same goes for any cultural tradition.
On the comparison with drugs, I don't necessarily disagree on liberalising drug laws but alcohol is different for two very important reasons. The first is cultural. Alcohol in our culture is older than the nation itself. The second is that because of its widespread use and the ease with which it can be manufactured, it would be impossible to enforce a ban on alcohol.
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