Drinking during lunchbreak

Blisterman

I've lived and worked in both Ireland and England and one cultural difference I've noticed is that Irish people almost never drink during their lunch break, while it's extremely common in England to have lunch and a pint in the pub.

The health and safety declaration we signed at my last job even said "when working on a building site. So not drink excessively at lunchtime."

epgc3fyqirnbsx

We judging by the Queen Vic they're all alco's, you see them buying each other pints and vodkas at the bar then arranging to meet back there at lunchtime. On the piss before lunch on a workday is pretty impressive

Mike 1972

In most of the companies ive worked for it would be considered a sackable offence (thats not to say it never happened mind).

Also probably illegal given the only realistic way one could have made it to the nearest pub and back during lunchbreak would have been by car.

ADDS: On the other hand Ive worked in places where partaking of a spliff was not unheard of-particularly on nightshift

Eve_Dublin

I live in Spain and people drink a (small) beer or two on their lunchbreaks sometimes. I tried it once just because I could (even though technically I'm not allowed...I don't have anyone watching over me though) and went to teach my class slightly baloobas...and I was so paranoid. I'm a shandy lightweight though. Personally I can't do anything that involves any degree of responsibility even after one beer.

r3nu4l

I live in England too and was very surprised when I first moved here to find that drinking during lunchtime was extremely common. At first I thought it was because I worked in the Square Mile of 'the City' but later when I moved jobs to Cambridge I discovered that it was just as common there.

At most, people I've worked with would have two pints but that would be uncommon. It usually is just one pint or even a lager or ale shandy for quite a few people. Especially now that the blood-alcohol legal limit for driving has been reduced.

I find it quite enjoyable actually

I always found it weird that drinking at lunchtime was so taboo in Ireland, but I think it's because so many Irish people aren't capable of just enjoying one drink. It always has to turn into a massive session. I've worked on the continent quite a bit, and drinking at lunchtime is completely normal. In my last staff canteen there was a wide selection of wine and beer and any time I had lunch with colleagues or the boss, everyone had a glass of wine with lunch. Here in London, I often have a beer with lunch, whether or not I'm working afterwards. I don't get the big deal at all. My boyfriend, who's Irish, can't get used to it.

Seaneh

anytime I have lunch with friends in almost every other country I've been to, they'd have a beer or a wine. Almost never happens in ireland.
In spain you can see men at suits drinking a glass of beer at the kiosks while waiting for their train to work on the metro.

epgc3fyqirnbsx

It would probably be good for your productivity too. I remember reading a study whereby they found that people performed better at tests after one pint - it increases oxygen flow to the brain or something. Second and third pints weren't so beneficial though...

Sergeant

Seaneh wrote: »

In spain you can see men at suits drinking a glass of beer at the kiosks while waiting for their train to work on the metro.

Same in Germany, not unusual to see someone having a small glass of beer with breakfast, especially in Munich.

Eve_Dublin

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

I always found it weird that drinking at lunchtime was so taboo in Ireland, but I think it's because so many Irish people aren't capable of just enjoying one drink. It always has to turn into a massive session. I've worked on the continent quite a bit, and drinking at lunchtime is completely normal. In my last staff canteen there was a wide selection of wine and beer and any time I had lunch with colleagues or the boss, everyone had a glass of wine with lunch. Here in London, I often have a beer with lunch, whether or not I'm working afterwards. I don't get the big deal at all. My boyfriend, who's Irish, can't get used to it.

The English drink just as much as the Irish do. I used to work in The City in London and men would be knocking back pints of beer on their lunchbreak...looked very much like a session to me.

Chaotic_Forces

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

I always found it weird that drinking at lunchtime was so taboo in Ireland, but I think it's because so many Irish people aren't capable of just enjoying one drink. It always has to turn into a massive session. I've worked on the continent quite a bit, and drinking at lunchtime is completely normal. In my last staff canteen there was a wide selection of wine and beer and any time I had lunch with colleagues or the boss, everyone had a glass of wine with lunch. Here in London, I often have a beer with lunch, whether or not I'm working afterwards. I don't get the big deal at all. My boyfriend, who's Irish, can't get used to it.

It's mostly this. We don't just have 1 or 2 here; we have 10 or 12. It's stupid at how bad it can be here.

I don't work but it wouldn't surprise me if we went to a pub or restraunt and had a pint or two.

omahaid

I wonder if we started to have one drink (emphasis on one) with lunch would it help us learn to drink in moderation?

Agricola

Im not sure about Britain, Id imagine they have similar traits to ourselves, but definitely on the continent a glass of wine with a mid-day meal is perfectly normal. Those cultures don't go in for the full on Irish session though. I guess when we drink we prefer it to be to excess! Ive certainly had plenty of people tell me they wouldnt go for a drink unless it was for many. Our immature relationship with alcohol is nothing new though.

Eve_Dublin

omahaid wrote: »

I wonder if we started to have one drink (emphasis on one) with lunch would it help us learn to drink in moderation?

Yeah, this could be a way of perhaps normalising the drink culture here...instead of just getting shiiitfaced at weekends. Also I think we need to do away with the "pints" culture...a pint is a lot of alcohol to consume in one sitting...the Spanish have it sussed with their canas (small beers) and tapas thing going on.

Firefox11

I couldn't even imagine it happing in my place. Company policy does not allow employees to have consumed alcohol during working hours (including any lunch/small breaks). That's not to say it hasn't happened.

pragmatic1

Couldnt do it. I'd be in the pub all day.

policarp

Not so long ago Dublin pubs used to close for a holy hour to get workers back to work after lunch...

Eve_Dublin

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

The English drink just as much as the Irish do. I used to work in The City in London and men would be knocking back pints of beer on their lunchbreak...looked very much like a session to me.

I don't agree. While the English certainly drink more than the French/Spanish/Belgians, City types and stockbrokers are an exception. I often go out for drinks after work with people my age in London and most of the time, people have 3 or 4 drinks over 3+ hours and head home. The same type of people back home would have 10+ pints, skip dinner and go home at 1am completely p!ssed. It's always, always the Irish ones over here who say 'let's just have one more'. Most of the time when I meet English/Spanish/Colombian friends here for a pint, it really is only one pint.

aligator_am

I remember someone telling me that the British tradition of drinking during lunchtime came from the industrial revolution, seems the water was so dirty that it was safer for the workers to drink beer with their lunch.

Agricola

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

I don't agree. While the English certainly drink more than the French/Spanish/Belgians, City types and stockbrokers are an exception. I often go out for drinks after work with people my age in London and most of the time, people have 3 or 4 drinks over 3+ hours and head home. The same type of people back home would have 10+ pints, skip dinner and go home at 1am completely p!ssed. It's always, always the Irish ones over here who say 'let's just have one more'. Most of the time when I meet English/Spanish/Colombian friends here for a pint, it really is only one pint.

Yep. I was sitting across from a group of Spanish people in a pub recently and most of them were nursing their pints of Guinness for 2 hours!

eilo1

Iv done this a few times in various jobs over the years, but never have more than 2 and wouldnt be driving or anything. (actually does riding a horse count )

I dont have a problem with it if you are still able to do your job and its just occasional. I wouldnt like to see colleagues at it everyday.

Asphyxia

Yes!! I work in a play school it wouldn't be good coming back smelling of drink.

Mike 1972

eilo1 wrote: »

(actually does riding a horse count ).

In before the horse outside reference

But seriously yes I think it does. Even riding a bicycle counts.

DubK

I worked in Belgium for a very large Multinational a few years ago and the subsidised canteen had cheap beer and wine for sale:D.

Never bothered myself but I noticed most of the locals did.

sunflower27

When I lived in London it was quite common for myself and friends to go for lunch and have a glass of wine or two. Have to admit I didnt really drink in lunch breaks when I moved to Dublin.

In my experience, the English often went straight home after work though, whereas colleagues over here often went for a few drinks after work during the week and not just on Friday.

eilo1

But its on private property?!?!

Why do you think Irish riders are renowned for their bravery?

TeddyTedson

To be honest I wouldn't be bothered with just a pint or two. If I drink I want to have a least 6 pints. So when I drink I wont have anything to do really, I want to relax and enjoy myself, not have to go back to work. I'd really hate that.

jimthemental

TeddyTedson wrote: »

To be honest I wouldn't be bothered with just a pint or two. If I drink I want to have a least 6 pints. So when I drink I wont have anything to do really, I want to relax and enjoy myself, not have to go back to work. I'd really hate that.

I'd be like this. If I don't have the freedom to drink how I want I won't bother at all.

TeddyTedson

TeddyTedson wrote: »

To be honest I wouldn't be bothered with just a pint or two. If I drink I want to have a least 6 pints. So when I drink I wont have anything to do really, I want to relax and enjoy myself, not have to go back to work. I'd really hate that.

Why? Why can you not just enjoy one or two? (Not being snotty BTW, am genuinely curious!)

RichieC

couple of eye openers is no harm before the drive to work. :pac:

Dont like pints, prefer cocktails with dinner in the evening and a baileys coffee is for a cold winter evening soooo, no I wouldnt do it

mikemac

Yeah saw this in Belfast too, just up the road but different culture.
Hope I won't get picked apart for that over some politics nonsense. Just my experience. Was doing work with people from all over NI and they'd be bringing me for pints at lunch

Anyways. When I was in a Dublin branch of a Dutch company there was a fridge full of beer, longnecks of all the main brands.
We didn't drink at lunch but Friday evening or maybe before a staff night out or even peak times and you're there at 8pm.
The managing director to the lowly serfs like me all did it. Seems to be common in Dutch companies

ascanbe

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

I don't agree. While the English certainly drink more than the French/Spanish/Belgians, City types and stockbrokers are an exception. I often go out for drinks after work with people my age in London and most of the time, people have 3 or 4 drinks over 3+ hours and head home. The same type of people back home would have 10+ pints, skip dinner and go home at 1am completely p!ssed. It's always, always the Irish ones over here who say 'let's just have one more'. Most of the time when I meet English/Spanish/Colombian friends here for a pint, it really is only one pint.

That's how we roll.

Laisurg

I'd say i'd be sacked on the spot even for one, may as well do it now though since i'm getting laid off next week.

Nodin

No bar on it anywhere I worked, as long as you didn't come back pissed. Generally it was avoided though, because the last thing most wanted to do was go back after getting comfortable with a nice jar, particularily in times of stress/evil management.

Also, it depends what size of a lunch you eat. You wouldn't notice a pint after a big feed.

Eve_Dublin

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

I don't agree. While the English certainly drink more than the French/Spanish/Belgians, City types and stockbrokers are an exception. I often go out for drinks after work with people my age in London and most of the time, people have 3 or 4 drinks over 3+ hours and head home. The same type of people back home would have 10+ pints, skip dinner and go home at 1am completely p!ssed. It's always, always the Irish ones over here who say 'let's just have one more'. Most of the time when I meet English/Spanish/Colombian friends here for a pint, it really is only one pint.

Well we'll have to agree to disagree then. Not defending how much the Irish consume but to put the English in the same bracket as the Spanish and the French is laughable and I think the French and Spanish would probably join in on the laughter if they heard that.

Doublin

When I worked in London, it was par for the course to head to the pub for lunch, especially Friday when it became a game of stay in the pub as long as possible before you have to head back to the office to complete the end of day stuff (edit, this was late 90's).When we moved the functions to Dublin, the first thing the manager did was ban the practice of going to the pub at lunchtime. IMO the English have as bad a relationship with alcohol as us.

When I was in Holland, drinking during lunch was frowned upon if regular, ok if not, but having a beer after work was normal.

Germany, in certain industries I understand, drinking during the working day is normal. Again, I understand working while 'pissed' is not on, although I've spoken with lads who swore to knocking back bottles of JD/Vodka in the morning while working on construction sites in East Germany..

ejmaztec

In Ireland, people leave the pub to go home for lunch, then go back to the pub afterwards.:pac:

Acoshla

I've worked places that we'd go eat in a pub at lunch but I've never known anyone to drink, mainly I would say because I've always worked in retail type jobs and dealing with the public while possibly smelling of drink would get you in serious trouble.

I personally would never have a drink at lunch because it wouldn't even occur to me for a start, not that big a drinker, and I'm a terror for getting a bit giddy after one drink (the joys of not drinking much/often, I'm a seriously cheap date) so I know I personally wouldn't be able to be as professional after a drink.

ejmaztec

One of the guys who I worked with in England, used to take off to the pub for a skinful every day. Mid afternoon he would be coming out of one of the office toilets and saying "Don't go in there mate, dead rats". At half-four, he'd be nodding off.

I don't know how he managed not to get nailed by the cops when he drove 20 miles home every evening.

whydoibother?

I'd never do it.

Firstly, genuinely don't think I could do even the simplest job after alcohol. Two drinks affects me.:o

Secondly, scared of being fired.

the groutch

If a company is providing you with a job, you should have the common decency to be able to stay sober til after you're finished for the day

TeddyTedson

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

Why? Why can you not just enjoy one or two? (Not being snotty BTW, am genuinely curious!)

I would just prefer to stay 100% sober rather than have one or two. I know they wouldn't really affect me much but I've done it before (not in work mind) and hated it. I like the taste of a pint too so I'm not just drinking to get smashed all the time, although tonight and most Saturdays that's what I'll be doing.
Try going in to town (Dublin before the culchies bite my head off:D) and have 2 pints or so and then try do a few hours shopping, if your anything like me you'll hate it. I enjoy being sober most of the time .

Poor Craythur

Alcohol makes me dreadfully tired at any time, so I would never want to drink at lunchtime.

Poor Craythur

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

Personally I can't do anything that involves any degree of responsibility even after one beer.

This.

Poor Craythur

Ryann Unimportant Scalp wrote: »

I always found it weird that drinking at lunchtime was so taboo in Ireland, but I think it's because so many Irish people aren't capable of just enjoying one drink. It always has to turn into a massive session.

It's not that for me, alcohol just really exhausts me, even just one.

Dyr

It'd be a bit like going to see the first 20 minutes of a film over lunch..sure what's the point?

Odysseus

Have to cut back on eating out at lunch. However on my late shift I use to go a for an curry for lunch; if I was seeing clients in the afternoon I use only have a 1/4 bottle of wine. However, I would often book in paperwoek for the afternnon and not see clients until about 5. On those occassions I would sometimes have a 1/2 with my meal.

Having done this in a while though. When I worked on sites 15-20 years ago in the uk, it would be a pint with your breakfast, two at lunch then a few after work. I wouldn't do that now; but that was the culture I was in at the time.

SoulTrader

I'd have a glass of wine if I was having lunch with a client, and that's ok with our company's policy. Wouldn't be bothered with any more than that though, I'd be falling asleep at my desk by 3pm if I did.

Sonics2k

Ah crap, I meant to answer this thread when I got back from lunch, must of been to hammered to remember.