Will

I'm sure this isn't the first time I've bleated on about this, but it's one of the things I'm most ashamed about as a British person.

I've been to many many countries in the world now, and met many many people. Without exception, I've yet to meet anyone who didn't see the British as anything more then a bunch of drunken louts and football hooligans.

IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL GREAT BRITAIN!?

I think it's incredibly sad that with Britain's rich history, both great and terrible, this is all that is left. We are a country that in the past has always been respected for good or bad. That was what used to define the British, that stoutness and air of self-respect. We have neither these days, although some say they are proud to be British, they can rarely tell you why or give an example of what Britain does that is so great these days.

I think one main factor is this evil drug we call ALCHOHOL, it's certainly the main reason for our sad reputation, we're like the old Colonel sat in the corner of the world's bar, once great, but now nothing more than an old drunk who gives everyone abuse. Many people wrongly believe it is a social drug, and that it brings people out of themselves. Which is bullshit, it generally brings out the worst in people, and they are anything but social. It's pathetic that most people's lives revolve around the weekend, when they can get utterly out of their skulls.

We were once the shining beacon of civilization, we're quickly becoming the gutter. Is this really how you all want the rest of the world to see you? I for one am sick of people assuming I'm a larger lout because of where I'm from.

BRITAIN NEEDS TO STOP DRINKING AND LEARN HOW TO BE A CIVILIZED NATION ONCE MORE! I tell you one thing, we wouldn't allow ourselves to be run by such pathetic leadership and so easily allow them to eradicate our freedoms one at a time. It's time to get out of the gutter, stand up with our heads held high, and show the world why we are Great Britain. Because believe me, the world is changing, and if we don't wake up soon, we'll get left behind.

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Sweetpea

Will I agree wholeheartedly. However, I am one of those people that look forward to the weekend with utter glee.....because I can have a drink!! But, I do it in the comfort and safety of my own home hurting no one.

There has been the odd drunk post (hear me Pie) and well, thread. But no blood was ever drawn.

I have also, never missed a day of work through drink.

Will

I hear you Sweetpea, I drink too of course, but I've been frankly getting very bored of it recently. I've been spending a lot of time out staying sober, and watching everyone else get shit-faced. It's actually embarrassing to watch how people act.

There's nothing wrong with moderate drinking, nothing at all. But it my view, if we're going to tackle drinking, we need to take a hard line. We need to do all but ban the damn stuff, it's ruining our country.

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Sweetpea

Well, I am all in favour of hiking the price right up, mainly because I could still afford it. It would probably entice more crime however, but taking out of the supermarkets would crucify me, especially as I live in the sticks.

Will

I think there are calls to end special offers on achohol, and to end happy hours. The trouble is, I don't think that will work, other then maybe the smallest of effects.

We have all the right laws, they just aren't enforced! Pubs need to stop serving anyone who is drunk, or even admitting them. People buying alchohol for the under-age need locking up, and the police need to back up these laws with random raids on bars.

This and more is already done in Australia, and it does make a massive difference. They have the same laws as us, but I'm willing to bet they have far less trouble. People are held accountable for selling to drunks, and so are the bars. It's what needs to be done.

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Sweetpea

Australia has most of the right idea's, but unlike Britain, it also has the balls to carry such laws out. It's my belief that most of the those in power today do not have a tenth of the courage and conviction our forefathers had.

Bruv

The culture is ingrained.
Listen to radio one (I haven't for ages mind) Chris fatboy Moyles, the epitomy of our attitude to booze. Jack the lads dont go out to have a drink, they go out to get demolished, if they remember how they got home, it was a bad night.
The culture means real men can drink more than the wimps, real men can drink the morning after being "para" the night before, eat and throw up, then drink some more.
It is not the availability that is the problem, it is the attitude to volumes consumed that need sorting out.

And as an aside......People drink to blur the edges,to round off the ambience.Why is it that the person who enters the spirit after a swift half, is less than the person who can swallow the cellar and walk in a straight line ?

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skinny

"para" Bruv, is that a posh pissed?