I'm in a sports bar now, buffalo wings Wednesday.
The folks in here know nothing about music & aren't very chatty.
One more pint & I'm off for home![]()
3:00pm on a Wednesday? Someone there was silently judging you.....
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I'm in a sports bar now, buffalo wings Wednesday.
The folks in here know nothing about music & aren't very chatty.
One more pint & I'm off for home![]()
Off to find the bourbon thread.
Different cultures do alcohol differently.In some English towns the pub has a kind of "living room of the village" feel to it. So people just read the paper, watch TV, or chat with whoever's around. It doesn't necessarily mean that everyone in there is a raging alky, although no doubt some are.
Different cultures do alcohol differently.
I was in Germany a few years ago, in Cologne (where the local beer is "kisrch", served in small glasses). I went to breakfast with a friend and there were dozens of guys in suits, clearly businessmen having breakfast before work, having a beer with breakfast. Friend said that was the norm. Nobody was drunk. I told him that in the US if you're drinking beer with breakfast you've probably got a serious drinking problem.
Very different environments.
In some English towns the pub has a kind of "living room of the village" feel to it. So people just read the paper, watch TV, or chat with whoever's around. It doesn't necessarily mean that everyone in there is a raging alky, although no doubt some are.
Different cultures do alcohol differently.
I was in Germany a few years ago, in Cologne (where the local beer is "kisrch", served in small glasses). I went to breakfast with a friend and there were dozens of guys in suits, clearly businessmen having breakfast before work, having a beer with breakfast. Friend said that was the norm. Nobody was drunk. I told him that in the US if you're drinking beer with breakfast you've probably got a serious drinking problem.
Very different environments.
I was just in Cologne, and really enjoyed the beer and the way it's served. But they're drinking around 4% beer, not the craft brew stuff we have here in Fort Collins, which often runs 6-9%. It's a lighter alcohol content, served in smaller glasses. And it wasn't "macrobrew" or anything with the horrendous word "lite" in the name.
It's a much lighter hit and all you need to do is sip 1-2 of those 200 ML glasses with breakfast. You'll be OK.
I have a friend who ascribes a conspiracy theory to every notable event. Hard way to live a life.
My grandfather died of alcoholism. He worked 5 days a week in a factory and got out of work at 4:30 every day. He would be sitting at the bar chugging beers by 5.00. He always stayed until they closed at 2 am. Then hone to sleep it off and back at the factory by 8:00.
On Saturdays he would be in the bar from noon until 2 am. The town was dry on Sundays so he would stay home and drink all day. He did that for more than 30 years until he ended up in the hospital after his organs started to fail. He only lasted a few days there until he died. I was there when my dad got the phone call with the news that his father died He couldnt have cared less. Just said "OK", then hung up the phone and went back to watching TV.
I'm going to judge the guy and say that's a totally wasted life.
So, that friend I mentioned who totalled his vehicle & had no insurance coverage is now w/o a vehicle.
I took him around a few places today, because I was bored & we were going to a couple of the same places.
Are cigarettes a good buy at a gas station?
because that's where he bought a carton
Probably safe to discuss here, since he's a drummer
Anyway, he picks up odd jobs from people who hang out in bars. I can't knock it. I've had a couple of the best-paying jobs in my life from bar-chatter.
We stop in a couple of places & it's not even noon, but there are people hanging out in the bar with beers.
Later I go for Happy Hour at another pub & was surprised how many folks were in there guzzling large flagons of beer at 15:00.
Don't get me wrong, I've spent plenty of time in bars, but usually in the evening or on the weekends.
I was also either in a situation where I could take public transport or walk home.
There is no public transport feeding these dives, but there are plenty of vehicles parked outside
Shame on me for having two assumptions. These folks haven't got jobs, or they're skiving off from work, & they're probably driving home under the influence. (only a couple looked old enough to be retired)
Judgemental me, right?
but I'm the type who can't just pop in for A beer during Happy Hour
I visit during Happy Hour, because they have food specials. Buffalo Wings are cheap, but...
it turns out if you don't order a drink with your wings they skimp on the sauce
Yeah, seeing as how I used to inhabit a few watering holes myself, here was the breakdown of folks in my hangouts. (during working hours)
business owners - plenty of money & a driver waiting to take them home
retired - walks home or takes public transportation
Heck, I knew one guy who drank all day nearly every day & still managed to hold down a business.
He'd answer trouble calls from his office clerks & had the presence of mind to get things sorted over the phone.
Thinking back, I did some pretty stupid stuff when I was younger.
When I was out of work I'd go over to the local pub on my bicycle (10 km), because the "big wheels" came there for lunch.
I'd have too many beers & then ride my bike home. Surprised I didn't get squashed by a big truck.
I helped out a friend after a 3rd DUI in 10yrs (last two were the same week totalling 2 different vehicles), time in jail and 6mo kn the salvation army. Never motivated enough to get classes and permits etc done.
Picked up groceries and helped as I could but eventually the drinking came back and it was a mess. At some point you have to stop putting energy into a black hole man. If you dont want help you wont receive it.
Have been to 2 bars in the states and a handful in Thailand years ago, but that's never been my thing. It's best to surround yourself with positive people and positive situations if you want to feel more positive.
You've probably helped someone in the short term but step back and think what the best course of action is.
I helped out a friend after a 3rd DUI