Drinking during lunchbreak

Blisterman · 19-03-2011 03:53PM #1

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 · 19-03-2011 03:55PM

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 · 19-03-2011 03:56PM

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 · 19-03-2011 03:59PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:01PM

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

19-03-2011 04:02PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:03PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:05PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:06PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:06PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:06PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:07PM

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

Agricola · 19-03-2011 04:09PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:10PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:11PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:12PM

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

policarp · 19-03-2011 04:14PM

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

19-03-2011 04:15PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:19PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:20PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:20PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:22PM

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

Mike 1972 · 19-03-2011 04:24PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:36PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:37PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:37PM

But its on private property?!?!

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

TeddyTedson · 19-03-2011 04:40PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:50PM

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.

19-03-2011 04:52PM

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 · 19-03-2011 04:55PM

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

19-03-2011 04:58PM

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

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