Aneirin
Posts: 6121
Joined: 3/18/2006
From: Tamaris
Status: offline
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It would seem most of Europe knows the British and what they can be like with alcohol, even in other parts of the world.I experinced this in Dubai one Xmas, it was such that the British Marines which were in town had such a reputation that hotels and bars had notices saying 'No British Forces'.
In town was also a US warship, a carrier I think, it's crew were also ashore and one evening I entered a bar which was by the sounds heaving with revellers.In the small foyer of the bar was a table where sat two US shore patrol who seeing myself and my party were not US crew, welcomed us and asked us to have a good evening.
Entering the bar, the raucous crowd which had every table and available standing room actually parted to let us through and up to the bar.Apparently the raucous behaviour was not a drunk behaviour, quite surprising. On getting a drink, nowhere to sit until a party of US servicemen asked us if we would like the seating they were occupying and there got up so we could sit.All this done with calm politeness and courtesy, I was very surprised, but also very impressed with the behaviour of these US servicemen.
Now, I understand the prescence of shore patrol might have been something to do with the behaviour or maybe not, the SP's physical stature was nothing to worry about, so it was,nt two big bruisers capable of knocking heads.
I just admired the US crew letting their hair down, enjoying themselves, having a few beers but being totally in control of themselves when it came to others. I know full well if the crew there were British servicemen, it would have been a quick turn around and exit fast as British and booze is a lethal mix.
I attended a British forces party on a few occaisions, not really my scene, but I went now and again.One particular night it got out of hand so the military police dog handlers were there and policy was just send the dog in to restore order, a four legged shark with a loud bark.That night the dog was thrown out of the window, ground floor, but the dog had had no effect, dog was ok, but a bit surprised and the police scared, looking to their OIC for 'what to do next'.
A bit long winded, but I hope to say that British do have a problem with drink and what they do on drink, maybe it is because we were a fighting nation, maybe it was because British have trouble expressing themselves and need stimulus to let go, who knows, but real research should be done into why we are like it, not restrict things, a case of 'if we cannot behave, we will take it away', that will do nothing.I do believe media does cause a problem to sometimes be over represented for want of selling stories.
But it is odd the looks and sometimes abuse a person gets for lighting a cigarette by mistake in a bar, when people are there clearly drunk.Who is wrong, the person making the mistake or the people that have drunk too much being abusive to a stranger?
I think alcohol is a bigger danger than smoking, but it is an accepted danger, as I suppose being cynical, the government makes money from people drinking.
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Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha
Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone
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RE: Britain partygoers go out of control on New Years - 
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Coke users are way more hassle than the intoxicated. 
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