The thing that annoyed me about Blue Laws was that they discriminated against non-Christian merchants who wanted to be close on their Sabbath.

And after decades of 'standing on principle' and allowing this inequity, the communities then roll over as soon as the first mall developer breaks ground.

I give Chik-Fil-A props on choosing principle over profit in this by being closed on Sunday by choice.

After a few notable drunken incidents at our local stadium in Philadelphia, alcohol was briefly banned. When the furor died down, sales were resumed but prices were raised on the theory that by overcharging customers the fans could not afford to get too drunk.:right:

Public policy through aggressive capitalism.

I give them a high five. ...in the face.... ....with a chair.

I know you've seen that on facebook. I just think it's funny.

I ALWAYS want chic fil a on Sunday.

I ALWAYS forget they're closed.

I ALWAYS get all pissed off when I remember.

As a sergent-chef, I both dined in the club and ate in the conscripts' mess hall. It was in the mess hall that there were crates of various beverages, including unlabeled demi-bouteilles (ou moins que) of wine, next to stacks of steel mess trays and eating utensils to be picked up as one entered the chow line. Perhaps there was a difference between the branches of service; or, the time periods of our experiences. I don't know if availability was restricted to those French soldiers who were off duty [and in civvies?]; but, my team was in uniform and they graciously didn't say anything.

I don't want to get into the stupid we drink more than you arguments, but we drink more than you. :p:

Though seriously, I'm not doubting that many Europeans drink a lot (where do you think Midwesterners learned how to drink). I've had some German friends that could defiantly hold their own, but from little perspective I have, I'm guessing the drinking culture, while different, are pretty much equal in the midwest with parts of Europe. That isn't necessarily a good thing either. I know too many people wasting their lives because of that stuff.

for my two cents - I was a drinker's drinker when I went up to Wisconsin. I was *amazed* at how much/often they drank up there.

This was back about 18 years or so - when PC was PC and everyone tried to be it - but not those Wisconsonites. They were giving their kiddies mocktails - apple juice with 7-up and a maraschino cherry in an old-fashioned glass. Those and candy cigarettes.

They were serious all-day all-night drinkers and they were gearing up the next generation to carry the torch.

Now - if I could just get someone to sponsor a research trip to Old Blighty...I could compare the cultures! I feel a thesis coming on!! :D

My year in the French Navy was 20 years ago. Because I was computer guy and helpful to my superiors (usually fixing the bugs they created ;)), I got invited to the Officer's Club and the NCO mess. It was a lot better for them than for us lowly sailors.

This seems an appropriate place to put a clip of 'Al Murray: Pub Landlord'


Part 2



I don't know what the stereotypical bar owner is like in America, my only point of reference is Sam from Cheers...

A stereotypical English pub landlord is a little Englander, British nationalist, misogynist, bigot, royalist and conservative. Most probably aren't like Al Murray...but I'd be lyin' if I said I had never come across one like that. There are one or two pubs in my town that fly the flag a little too often and have strange ideas about whether it's acceptable for a woman to go to the bar and order drinks :p

Funny: when I went to the UK on an exchange of refs, we went to a high level rugby game in a soccer stadium. The signs said no beer beyond this point. But for the rugby games they waived the rule because the crowds were more behaved.

Rugby fans are better behaved than football fans.
It's the players at local (amateur) rugby clubs that have the bad rep!

Same here in France. I used to live near the Stade de France (North of Paris, 80.000 seats) and witnessed the behavior of soccer/rugby fans.

Ireland vs France (Rugby) : barely 100 policemen for more than 50.000 supporters: no incident yet some guys were more than three sheets to the wind
French Rugby League Final : Same as above

Spain vs France (Soccer) : Around 200 policemen for more than 40.000 supporters: some fighting between inebrieted guys, but nothing major.
Olympique de Marseille vs Paris-Saint-Germain (Soccer French 1st League) : More than 1.500 policemen for more than 60.000 supporters: Many fights between supporters or against the police (and no need for fans to drinks: for them, it is a war!)

If you ever see a documentary called "Hoon Capital", watch it.

Every year there is an all day car race at Bathurst, NSW. Over the years the Holden (trans GM, Vauxhall) and Ford (Ford) fans assemble into their respective tribes at the top of the mountain, get absolutely shitfaced, and go to war. Not to decide anything in particular (Holden Vs Ford is the pretext) but because they want to.
It gets messy.
Recently the cops and race organisers brought in a booze limit.
24 cans, per man, per day.
Or 36 per day if it is light beer.
Or 4 litres of wine per day (I guess for any sheilas or poofs, eh?)
A chap eventually did a PhD on them, and the result is the doco Hoon Capital.

Here is a trailer, there are more snips on Youtube.

10 minute version with a lot more academic talking. I think it makes some good points: