NationStates Jolt Archive

I've had an interesting discussion with a colleague during lunch just now.
He's from the UK living in Ireland, I'm from Germany living in Ireland.

We started talking about prices for alcohol, and then quickly came to the underlying issue of alcohol use and abuse in our respective cultures.
Personally, I grew up with alcohol. I can't remember when I was first allowed to have a sip of beer, I must have been 2 or 3 years old at the time. My parents would regularly drink beer or wine with their meals, and allow us a sip now and then. My gran would give each of us an egg cup of beer with our dinner when we were at her house.
And yet, the first time in my life I ever saw somebody really drunk (as in throwing up in the street and not being able to walk straight any more) when I came to Ireland some 5 years ago. I was frankly utterly astonished. A good few people I've met here since would measure the success of an evening out by how sick they are the next day. I felt like an alien observing a different species.

Where does this sort of behaviour come from? Why does it appear to be so pronounced in some countries and virtually nonexistent in others?
We were thinking about the lack of social controls and authority in Britain, but that didn't seem to add up. After all, Britain was the last European country to outlaw corporal punishment at schools (and from what I heard they're considering re-instituting it).
"Saxon genes" of the British were brought up and debunked, Saxony being after all a place in Germany.
Mandatory pub closing times were considered, forcing people to drink up faster and encouraging drinking without enjoying or even tasting much. But then, until recently most bars in Germany would close by midnight at the very latest.

So what is it that makes for such a difference in cultures here? Any ideas?

Well in the United States, drinking beer is a no no until you're 21, so I think it created that forbidden fruit angle for people who never had it. So when they turn 21 they think "OMG I CAN HAVE BEERZ NOW!" and they just run out to the local store, buy several twelve pack and just get totally plastered. Drinking has a more negative image in the United States than it does in Germany so I think there's a relation between the way a society see's drinking and how much they binge drink.

I guess it mostly depends on how ugly your countries women are.

I've wondered this also. Drinking seems to be a lot more popular in Britain than over here in the states. The only thing I can think of is maybe people who live in colder, rainier places drink more. That seems unlikely though.

I've had an interesting discussion with a colleague during lunch just now.
He's from the UK living in Ireland, I'm from Germany living in Ireland.

We started talking about prices for alcohol, and then quickly came to the underlying issue of alcohol use and abuse in our respective cultures.
Personally, I grew up with alcohol. I can't remember when I was first allowed to have a sip of beer, I must have been 2 or 3 years old at the time. My parents would regularly drink beer or wine with their meals, and allow us a sip now and then. My gran would give each of us an egg cup of beer with our dinner when we were at her house.
And yet, the first time in my life I ever saw somebody really drunk (as in throwing up in the street and not being able to walk straight any more) when I came to Ireland some 5 years ago. I was frankly utterly astonished. A good few people I've met here since would measure the success of an evening out by how sick they are the next day. I felt like an alien observing a different species.

Where does this sort of behaviour come from? Why does it appear to be so pronounced in some countries and virtually nonexistent in others?
We were thinking about the lack of social controls and authority in Britain, but that didn't seem to add up. After all, Britain was the last European country to outlaw corporal punishment at schools (and from what I heard they're considering re-instituting it).
"Saxon genes" of the British were brought up and debunked, Saxony being after all a place in Germany.
Mandatory pub closing times were considered, forcing people to drink up faster and encouraging drinking without enjoying or even tasting much. But then, until recently most bars in Germany would close by midnight at the very latest.

So what is it that makes for such a difference in cultures here? Any ideas?

Over here in Blighty we can trace the histroty of 'Binge Drinking' back to teh first world war. Pubs used to be open 24 hours, but since the war, they instituted closing times. Obvioiusly since then, people have gotten used to ghetting into the pub, and rushing through their drinks before closing time, hence the binge.

Longer work hours in UK=less free time.
So they spend it on binge drinking.
I don't like the idea either, i mean you forget what happened if you drink too much which kind of defeats the purpose of having a good time.
That and i suppose it's an escape from their dull lives.

some people are not responsible with the alcohol (a good test of a person is what kind of drunk they are I think) I have always traditionally blamed it on the suppressiveness of our culture and a glamorization of the only time when its okay to be some sort of violent thug (which is shown by the stella = violence myth)

I guess it depends on who you are deep down is the only answer I can give after many conversations over this with my band of good drunks

Well in the United States, drinking beer is a no no until you're 21, so I think it created that forbidden fruit angle for people who never had it. So when they turn 21 they think "OMG I CAN HAVE BEERZ NOW!" and they just run out to the local store, buy several twelve pack and just get totally plastered. Drinking has a more negative image in the United States than it does in Germany so I think there's a relation between the way a society see's drinking and how much they binge drink.

This is purely anecdotal evidence, but from a UK resident who's travelled in the US. I've never met a single person who didn't drink underage.

As for the UK, the first thing to mention is that binge drinking is defined too low. 5 drinks in one night is what it's defined as. But considering many people go out for several hours this doesn't really constitute heavy drinking.

As for the real binge drinking. I think it comes down to the fact that unlike most of the continent, British people don't drink beer etc because it tastes nice (since it often doesn't) but more for the sake of being drunk. So more drunk is better and so on.

I guess it mostly depends on how ugly your countries women are.

American, German, Irish, British and Japanese girls are all very beautiful, I think we should look elsewhere.


To Willygrover, the OP's passage talks about Britain and Ireland, where the law you're talking about is manifestly absent.

So much for that hypothesis.

ETA, British by way of oversight.

I came into the possession of a good bottle of wine and have been enjoying it with the fervor that one does when, having become accustomed to drinking good wine, is presented nine times in ten with Great Wall or Changyu. Which the Chinese prefer to drink mixed with Sprite. The horror.

American, German, Irish and Japanese girls are all very beautiful, I think we should look elsewhere.

your missing English girls, a mistake surely?

Well in the United States, drinking beer is a no no until you're 21, so I think it created that forbidden fruit angle for people who never had it. So when they turn 21 they think "OMG I CAN HAVE BEERZ NOW!" and they just run out to the local store, buy several twelve pack and just get totally plastered. Drinking has a more negative image in the United States than it does in Germany so I think there's a relation between the way a society see's drinking and how much they binge drink.

True, considering how vilified alcohol is in some area of US society, I can imagine many teenagers binge drinking just to spite the older generation. A pretty normal reaction.

Here, however, you'll find binge drinkers well into their 40s, it's not exactly a youth phenomenon but spans all generations.

some people are not responsible with the alcohol (a good test of a person is what kind of drunk they are I think) I have always traditionally blamed it on the suppressiveness of our culture and a glamorization of the only time when its okay to be some sort of violent thug (which is shown by the stella = violence myth)

I guess it depends on who you are deep down is the only answer I can give after many conversations over this with my band of good drunks

So you're saying that deep down, Germans just are more responsible, less violent and less thuggish than the Brits?
Flattering, but I don't really believe it, sorry ;)

Over here in Blighty we can trace the histroty of 'Binge Drinking' back to teh first world war. Pubs used to be open 24 hours, but since the war, they instituted closing times. Obvioiusly since then, people have gotten used to ghetting into the pub, and rushing through their drinks before closing time, hence the binge.

We considered that one, but it doesn't seem to quite fit.
Yes, 10.30 is rather early to close a pub, and it would result in some people to rush their last drink. But then, German pubs are at best open another 1.5 hours, and I'm having difficulties imagining that 1.5 hours would have such a dramatic impact.

Where does this binge eating culture come from as well?

Irresponsibility and lack of foresight, seemingly.

Where does this binge eating culture come from as well?

Irresponsibility and lack of foresight, seemingly.

Binge eating?
Where? :confused:
I've never seen anybody being sick in the street for eating too much...

So you're saying that deep down, Germans just are more responsible, less violent and less thuggish than the Brits?
Flattering, but I don't really believe it, sorry ;)

ah but surely Germans have releases for there emotional woes unlike we English we really only have drinking, pool and dogging

social support networks and the like I say! *clutches precious straws*

It was actually a mistake and I apologize and will amend my post at once.

oh...well if you mean it that way perhaps a trade is in order :)

your missing English girls, a mistake surely?

It was actually a mistake and I apologize and will amend my post at once.

ah but surely Germans have releases for there emotional woes unlike we English we really only have drinking, pool and dogging

social support networks and the like I say! *clutches precious straws*


Nonsense.
You've got fox hunting, Bingo and Argos!
I don't see Germans as having more outlets, really... there's just as much rat race and keeping up with the Jonses as everywhere else.
The only thing that comes to mind right now is that in the UK, gender roles are far more pronounced than in Germany. But since both men and women binge drink, that might have nothing at all to do with anything, really...

Over here in Blighty we can trace the histroty of 'Binge Drinking' back to teh first world war. Pubs used to be open 24 hours, but since the war, they instituted closing times. Obvioiusly since then, people have gotten used to ghetting into the pub, and rushing through their drinks before closing time, hence the binge.

I see your DORA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DORA) and raise you Hogarth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gin_Lane) ;)

Binge eating?
Where? :confused:
I've never seen anybody being sick in the street for eating too much...

That's just asking for a Mr Creosote reference :)

The only thing that comes to mind right now is that in the UK, gender roles are far more pronounced than in Germany. But since both men and women binge drink, that might have nothing at all to do with anything, really...

all I got then is maybe its socially acceptable unlike on the mainland, I blame history of Gin for this really

interestingly Spain also suffers this issue :confused:

I see your DORA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DORA) and raise you Hogarth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gin_Lane) ;)

Heh I love poker terminolgy, just casuly tossed in there.

Yep, yep it is well known tha the Brits have always been big on the drinking front.

all I got then is maybe its socially acceptable unlike on the mainland, I blame history of Gin for this really

interestingly Spain also suffers this issue :confused:

Hmmm... you might be on to something there with the gin. I'll have to research that.

Spain? Seriously? Wow. The Spanish here usually have half a pint and make it last 4 hours...

Heh I love poker terminolgy, just casuly tossed in there.

Yep, yep it is well known tha the Brits have always been big on the drinking front.


Indeed. I've wondered if it is a nordic thing from the Vikings.

This is based on the entirely specious trivia that in Finland they "get drunk and fight with knives" and that vodka is finnish "white wine."

Of course, the pedants among you might complain it is entirely unreasonable to make such an extrapolation and that the Fins aren't even nordic...

.. but pah.

So what is it that makes for such a difference in cultures here? Any ideas?

The celts have always been known for their tendency to go mad with the booze. They used horrify the greeks by drinking their wine unwatered and getting six ways of sideways on it. However we Irish have had a culture of getting well plastered for centuries, primarily because there was fuck all else to do. Prices and the smoking ban have unforunately put a round behind the ear of pub culture, so now people get tanked up at home before going out (if out they go at all).


What the Brits motivation is, is not something I can answer.

British (and nonbritish people) open their newspaper, read about Dubya's latest idiocy, and binge drink in hopes that they'll forget about it. *hides*

British people had a reputation for being inebriates as early as the sixteenth century, if my memory of "Hamlet" serves. I'm inclined to suggest it may owe something to predominant cultural influence of Nordic and Saxon, however, beyond this, who knows?

A fascinating question all the same.

British (and nonbritish people) open their newspaper, read about Dubya's latest idiocy, and binge drink in hopes that they'll forget about it. *hides*

:D
Perhaps that's a subconscious reason.

Binge drinking is about making up for lost time.

Well in the United States, drinking beer is a no no until you're 21, so I think it created that forbidden fruit angle for people who never had it. So when they turn 21 they think "OMG I CAN HAVE BEERZ NOW!" and they just run out to the local store, buy several twelve pack and just get totally plastered. Drinking has a more negative image in the United States than it does in Germany so I think there's a relation between the way a society see's drinking and how much they binge drink.Alcohol abuse rates are lower in the U.S. than in the British Isles.

Edit: Or so I understand, I'm trying to find a source. I did find a source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge_drinking) for Cabra's original statement though.

Much of it among my age group in the US is the college lifestyle...we have few consequences, new found freedom, and the ability to start our day around noon with careful planning.

Couldn't say beyond that, as I don't really have much exposure.

So what is it that makes for such a difference in cultures here? Any ideas?

It might be one of our "exports"

I hadn't heard of the term binge drinking in the UK. It's a common term here.

As Wilgrove explained, drinking is legal at 21(Yet, we can send 18 year olds to war. Figure that one out).

As such there is the image of wrongness built up around it.....

most of what I see is "ZOMG, we only have 3hrs befroe my parents come back, we've all got to get totally smashed!"

Basically, when the drinking age was 18, people didn't drink until they were of age because they knew that all they had to do was wait a few years, similar to driving. When the age became 21, people realised that it was going to be a while before they could legally drink, so they just started anyway. Since most drinking occurs when the parents are away, teens often only have a few hours to "get drunk", so they Binge.

The problem with getting hammered is....?

Rolling squid;13468702']most of what I see is "ZOMG, we only have 3hrs befroe my parents come back, we've all got to get totally smashed!"

Basically, when the drinking age was 18, people didn't drink until they were of age because they knew that all they had to do was wait a few years, similar to driving. When the age became 21, people realised that it was going to be a while before they could legally drink, so they just started anyway. Since most drinking occurs when the parents are away, teens often only have a few hours to "get drunk", so they Binge.If that's the case, then why do so many people in Britain and Ireland binge? The legal age is 18 there.

If that's the case, then why do so many people in Britain and Ireland binge? The legal age is 18 there.

weather?

ok, not really, but I'd say it's the same driving force behind the American Binging. The Bars in the UK close kind of early IIRC, so people have less time to get drunk, leading to binging.

I think there is a bit of an urban-rural/wealth split to it: If one lives in an exciting place and have the money to enjoy it, one might go out to a bar for a drink or two, but tend not to get drunk so often. Conversly, if one lives in a boring spot or has an entertainment budget that cannot cover much more than a few bottles of booze, one drinks more.

At least here in Canada, people drink less when they are in the big cities than when they are in the country. I really do here the phrase "I'm bored, let's get drunk" now and again. There are probably other causes to be sure, but I suspect that one part of binging is boredom.


A completely unrelated theory which just popped into my head is that a drinking culture may be more pronounced in spots where the people have lower self-esteem and/or have more social inhibitions, and therefore are more likely to use alcohol as a way of loosening up.

It's meant to go back to the Anglo Saxon boozing culture.

To see this culture stand in a British town centre at 3am on a saturday.

Binge eating?
Where? :confused:
I've never seen anybody being sick in the street for eating too much...

I was referring to the trend in our society towards obesity.

Well I utterly disagree with the terminology of "binge drinking" anyway.

Since the EU decided in it's infinite wisdom that to binge was defined as 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a sitting.

If I sit down at midday, and leave at 9pm after having only 5 beers in 9 hours - I'm considered to be binge drinking?

I don't think so.

And anyway, it helps build up your tolerance. ;)

In the United States, it probably stems from the fact that we are a culture of rabid consumption. Much in the same vein that we're so fat... no sense of self control at all.

I blame the varying levels of despondency with everyday life. The more you think the system doesn't work, the more prone you are to drinking to excess. This is also in correlation with hooliganism, incidentally.

We're repressed (speaking from the U.S., here). We work 80 hours weeks, eat junk food, never take time to see our families and have no feeling of social cohesion. We're a repressed and depressed nation, and so, we drink. And smoke, and snort, and shoot up, and eat 3 double bacon cheeseburgers. Honestly, I think that all has a lot to do with it.

Well in the United States, drinking beer is a no no until you're 21, so I think it created that forbidden fruit angle for people who never had it. So when they turn 21 they think "OMG I CAN HAVE BEERZ NOW!" and they just run out to the local store, buy several twelve pack and just get totally plastered.

If you think young people bother to wait until their 21st birthdays to do this, then I strongly advise you to never set a toenail on a college campus...

Drinking has a more negative image in the United States than it does in Germany so I think there's a relation between the way a society see's drinking and how much they binge drink.
I think that's closer to the truth.

Growing up, I was force-fed a constant diet of DON'T DO DRUGS EVER OR YOU WILL DIE OF SYPHILIS IN THE GUTTER. Around age 12, I tried my first cig, as many young people do, and I discovered that I did not instantly find myself addicted to heroine. Some time later I smoked my first joint, and again I discovered that I did not go on a drug-fueled crime spree, nor did I kill a single person, steal a single car, or (again) find myself instantly addicted to heroine.

It was at this point that I began to speculate. Could it be, I mused, that the adults are full of shit? McGruff the Crime Dog appeared to have lied to me regarding the evils of smokes and weed. My teacher stood by and watched. Hmm.

My parents were European about booze, so I never really saw it as much of a recreational drug. Alcohol was what we had with the salad course. Kind of hard to feel like a rebel for drinking when you've been allowed wine with dinner since you were seven.

But drugs? Hey now. That's something the grown ups clearly do NOT want me fucking around with. Sounds like a killer Friday night!

Most kids I know who were really into drinking were the kids who grew up surrounded with THOU SHALT NOT DRINK blaring into their ears. Soon as they hit college and Daddy wasn't watching, they learned to make beer bongs and never looked back.

If you think young people bother to wait until their 21st birthdays to do this, then I strongly advise you to never set a toenail on a college campus...

I think that's closer to the truth.

Growing up, I was force-fed a constant diet of DON'T DO DRUGS EVER OR YOU WILL DIE OF SYPHILIS IN THE GUTTER. Around age 12, I tried my first cig, as many young people do, and I discovered that I did not instantly find myself addicted to heroine. Some time later I smoked my first joint, and again I discovered that I did not go on a drug-fueled crime spree, nor did I kill a single person, steal a single car, or (again) find myself instantly addicted to heroine.

It was at this point that I began to speculate. Could it be, I mused, that the adults are full of shit? McGruff the Crime Dog appeared to have lied to me regarding the evils of smokes and weed. My teacher stood by and watched. Hmm.

My parents were European about booze, so I never really saw it as much of a recreational drug. Alcohol was what we had with the salad course. Kind of hard to feel like a rebel for drinking when you've been allowed wine with dinner since you were seven.

But drugs? Hey now. That's something the grown ups clearly do NOT want me fucking around with. Sounds like a killer Friday night!

Most kids I know who were really into drinking were the kids who grew up surrounded with THOU SHALT NOT DRINK blaring into their ears. Soon as they hit college and Daddy wasn't watching, they learned to make beer bongs and never looked back.


Thats how I am. My dad pounds bears like its his last day on earth, has since I was a kid (but he never got drunk, being a big man and drinking since he was 16 probably helped with that), so I never saw alcohol as "teh d3v1l". I drink on occasion. Ill go weeks without anything, but whenI hang out and drink, Im like my dad, it flows like water:p

Me and my friends binge because it is the cheapest activity we have, the weather isn't great here and there aren't good parks etc near by to relax in peacefully. Cinema costs a fortune to get there, watch a movie etc, there isn't a skating park nearby, no ice rink that won't cost a tenner to get too, then an entrance fee. My point is, drinking here for me and my friends is cheaper and easier than doing normal social activities.

Its £2 for a double spirit and mixer in my local, you can understand that I find it very easy to go past the five drinks rule, and that in a night I can easily have the recommended weekly allowance, and will do this repetitively, I don't drink till I'm sick that's just stupid, I've just found my bodies tolerance to alcohol has gone up dramatically since I moved into a city.

Another point to add is free time I have as a student is often spent meeting new people, and where better to meet new people than in a pub/club/union, again and a bit of dutch courage etc doesn't hurt to break the ice, and in most cases this would lead to a few more drinks.

My overall point to my post is just to say, I drink due to boredom. Fix this countries problems so I feel safe going out (I drink loads but I'm not a threatening yob), give me somewhere to go for cheap, e.g. a nice park, some fields etc. Its so much fun just to kick a football around every once in a while.

I just think its a shame, I drink loads, but I don't regret it, I would regret not drinking, due to the fact when I drink I become much more outgoing and generally have very good times with mates.

Bit of a long post and I do ramble a bit, so sorry for that :)

Where does the binge drinking culture come from? Its a combination of nature and of nuture. I know a lot of people who's parents have binge drink and hence they do the same thing. Same thing with people whos parents have never had drink or only drink socially those parent's children follow similar patterns. But I have also seen a lot of parent's don't drink but the kid(s) friends binge drink and hence they go and binge drink.

I am usually not concerned about whether people drink or not, I am more concerned with those people getting behind the wheel or using a firearm that are classified as drunk. Personally I have a few friends that died due to either being too drunk to drive or being hit by a drunk driver even though they had not been drinking.

Well, thats my two and half cents worth.

True, considering how vilified alcohol is in some area of US society, I can imagine many teenagers binge drinking just to spite the older generation. A pretty normal reaction.
Cf. every single person alive during Prohibition.

Here, however, you'll find binge drinkers well into their 40s, it's not exactly a youth phenomenon but spans all generations.

That is odd, although my schadenfreude is making me a little happy you mention it. In the US, an argument for lowering the drinking age is that underage drinkers tend to drink secretly, where in the UK and Ireland they drink in the open, ergo responsibly. Apparently not.

That is odd, although my schadenfreude is making me a little happy you mention it. In the US, an argument for lowering the drinking age is that underage drinkers tend to drink secretly, where in the UK and Ireland they drink in the open, ergo responsibly. Apparently not.

Well, in Germany and Italy they do drink more responsibly, with the drinking age being 16 in Germany (although, as has been said, most people start a LOT younger).
I'm not sure how US culture would react to a lowered drinking age, I think it's very hard to predict really.

Me and my friends binge because it is the cheapest activity we have, the weather isn't great here and there aren't good parks etc near by to relax in peacefully. Cinema costs a fortune to get there, watch a movie etc, there isn't a skating park nearby, no ice rink that won't cost a tenner to get too, then an entrance fee. My point is, drinking here for me and my friends is cheaper and easier than doing normal social activities.

Its £2 for a double spirit and mixer in my local, you can understand that I find it very easy to go past the five drinks rule, and that in a night I can easily have the recommended weekly allowance, and will do this repetitively, I don't drink till I'm sick that's just stupid, I've just found my bodies tolerance to alcohol has gone up dramatically since I moved into a city.

Another point to add is free time I have as a student is often spent meeting new people, and where better to meet new people than in a pub/club/union, again and a bit of dutch courage etc doesn't hurt to break the ice, and in most cases this would lead to a few more drinks.

My overall point to my post is just to say, I drink due to boredom. Fix this countries problems so I feel safe going out (I drink loads but I'm not a threatening yob), give me somewhere to go for cheap, e.g. a nice park, some fields etc. Its so much fun just to kick a football around every once in a while.

I just think its a shame, I drink loads, but I don't regret it, I would regret not drinking, due to the fact when I drink I become much more outgoing and generally have very good times with mates.

Bit of a long post and I do ramble a bit, so sorry for that :)

Interestingly enough, I've just finished a book about council housing in Britain and the massive negative impact the estates have on the population. Remoteness with total isolation from all sorts of public transport was mentioned (turning people into virtual prisoners on some estates), as well as a general lack of any kind of social facilities apart from a pub and a chipper (in many cases not even a supermarket within reach). Add unemployment to the equation, and I can well imagine that such surroundings are contributing to binge drinking and drug abuse in general...
And the mass-movement of people from their old neighbourhoods to the new estates sort of coincides generationally with the emergence of binge drinking as a hobby.
You might be on to something there.

Well I utterly disagree with the terminology of "binge drinking" anyway.

Since the EU decided in it's infinite wisdom that to binge was defined as 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a sitting.


What anal retentive came up with that one, for fucks sake.....That doesn't even qualify as a session, let alone a "binge".

Well I utterly disagree with the terminology of "binge drinking" anyway.

Since the EU decided in it's infinite wisdom that to binge was defined as 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a sitting.

If I sit down at midday, and leave at 9pm after having only 5 beers in 9 hours - I'm considered to be binge drinking?

I don't think so.

And anyway, it helps build up your tolerance. ;)Heh. I suppose if you're sitting for 9 hours, no, but I'd imagine your ass would be pretty sore.

Well, in Germany and Italy they do drink more responsibly, with the drinking age being 16 in Germany (although, as has been said, most people start a LOT younger).
I'm not sure how US culture would react to a lowered drinking age, I think it's very hard to predict really.It used to be 18 here prior to The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Minimum_Drinking_Age_Act_of_1984).

Interestingly enough, I've just finished a book about council housing in Britain and the massive negative impact the estates have on the population. Remoteness with total isolation from all sorts of public transport was mentioned (turning people into virtual prisoners on some estates), as well as a general lack of any kind of social facilities apart from a pub and a chipper (in many cases not even a supermarket within reach). Add unemployment to the equation, and I can well imagine that such surroundings are contributing to binge drinking and drug abuse in general...
And the mass-movement of people from their old neighbourhoods to the new estates sort of coincides generationally with the emergence of binge drinking as a hobby.
You might be on to something there.
I'm not from a council estate, at the moment I live in rented tennant block accommodation. But it stays the same, there are supermarkets etc, but in essence all that does is provide cheaper alcohol. I do however see this as the main reason for binge drinking, unemployement here is high, so is teenage pregnancy etc (highest rates in europe, Dundee that is). So yeah, we don't have much to do here.

Over here in Blighty we can trace the histroty of 'Binge Drinking' back to teh first world war. Pubs used to be open 24 hours, but since the war, they instituted closing times. Obvioiusly since then, people have gotten used to ghetting into the pub, and rushing through their drinks before closing time, hence the binge.

When underaging, back in the day, that was a similar philosophy towards what I took at that time too.

I'm not from a council estate, at the moment I live in rented tennant block accommodation. But it stays the same, there are supermarkets etc, but in essence all that does is provide cheaper alcohol. I do however see this as the main reason for binge drinking, unemployement here is high, so is teenage pregnancy etc (highest rates in europe, Dundee that is). So yeah, we don't have much to do here.

Didn't mean to insult, sorry.
It's just the way you described your area - if not like a council estate, then at least similar in many crucial ways.

The problem with getting hammered is....?

oh lets see.
It costs alot, for you for the government (which taxes you more for drinking too much).
Hangovers.
General punishment to your liver, kidneys and heart.
Increased chances of getting beaten up.
Increased chances of being raped.
Increased chances of ending up in hospital.
Damages your memory capacity, if you continually drink too much all the time.
Lack of control over your actions.
Increased chances of getting hit by a vehicle (but this could come under ending up in hospital).
Looking like an idiot in front of your friends, and generally doing things you wish you didn't.
Need i go on?

Because American media makes it seem cool to get wasted. :confused:

If you watch telly when you're in the states, you see all the high school parties where all the people all having fun next to a pool with loud music and getting drunk as possible. My conspiracy theory is a joint business deal between Hollywood and the alcohol industry. XD

I can't really imagine UK and Irish culture being too much influenced by US TV, though... :confused:

I'm not from a council estate, at the moment I live in rented tennant block accommodation. But it stays the same, there are supermarkets etc, but in essence all that does is provide cheaper alcohol. I do however see this as the main reason for binge drinking, unemployement here is high, so is teenage pregnancy etc (highest rates in europe, Dundee that is). So yeah, we don't have much to do here.

Yikes NSG-ers are getting way to close to my location

*moves*

And if you're in Dundee there are plenty of parks (Balgay Park and Magdalen Green - 5 mins from campus) , skate parks (10 minutes walk from campus), cheap cinema (student discount at the DCA a minute away), and there are plenty of university clubs and societies offering a non alcoholic way to meet new people and break the ice, many costing very little

Because American media makes it seem cool to get wasted. :confused:

If you watch telly when you're in the states, you see all the high school parties where all the people all having fun next to a pool with loud music and getting drunk as possible. My conspiracy theory is a joint business deal between Hollywood and the alcohol industry. XD

Over here in Blighty we can trace the histroty of 'Binge Drinking' back to teh first world war. Pubs used to be open 24 hours, but since the war, they instituted closing times. Obvioiusly since then, people have gotten used to ghetting into the pub, and rushing through their drinks before closing time, hence the binge.

It was around even before that - look at the Hogarth prints from the 1750s Beer Street and Gin Lane they look like any English town on a Saturday night.

Didn't mean to insult, sorry.
It's just the way you described your area - if not like a council estate, then at least similar in many crucial ways.
No no I wasn't insulted by the idea, I have lived on council estates before and loved it. :)

Yikes NSG-ers are getting way to close to my location

*moves*

And if you're in Dundee there are plenty of parks (Balgay Park and Magdalen Green - 5 mins from campus) , skate parks (10 minutes walk from campus), cheap cinema (student discount at the DCA a minute away), and there are plenty of university clubs and societies offering a non alcoholic way to meet new people and break the ice, many costing very little
I'm literally 1 minute from the DCA, trouble is they show say two films at a time, and generally not ones me or friends are interested in. I don't know which skate park you are referring too, can I get a post code of it?

I got asked to leave Magdalen park for playing football before. I'm quite new to this area, used to stay up around Hillside, so had a pitch that belonged to the uni. So had a great laugh there :)

I've not really looked into university clubs, but that is down to me being lazy, I'm sure if I found a nice one (thinking about joining the linux society), then I wouldn't drink so much.

Where abouts in the Dee are you from?

I'm literally 1 minute from the DCA, trouble is they show say two films at a time, and generally not ones me or friends are interested in. I don't know which skate park you are referring too, can I get a post code of it?

I got asked to leave Magdalen park for playing football before. I'm quite new to this area, used to stay up around Hillside, so had a pitch that belonged to the uni. So had a great laugh there :)

I've not really looked into university clubs, but that is down to me being lazy, I'm sure if I found a nice one (thinking about joining the linux society), then I wouldn't drink so much.

Where abouts in the Dee are you from?

http://www.dundeeconcrete.com/media/images/MOD_Map_satellite_dundee-go.jpg

There's another one but it's a bit further away. You can google The Factory Skatepark, Dundee to find it