Cultural drinking differences

[cleo]

Simon and I had a terrific conversation last night about something neither of us realised was a cultural difference until yesterday.

It seems women drinking beer, especially out of a pint glass, is considered socially unacceptable. If I understand correctly, beer is a 'man's drink' while hard liquer or alcho-pops are 'women's drinks'. In theory, a women could slug back 4 mixed drinks without a second look, but drinking a pint of beer would raise eyebrows.

There is no such gender distinction in the US. Women drink beer as often as men (maybe not as much!) but there are some hard liquers that would make her look bad (cheap) if a woman drank them in public.

Simon tells me the advertising on UK television may play a roll in this. I'm just curious what you think, and why. Is there a big social difference in the FORM your alcohol takes?

Neither of us thought about it, since the US doesn't make a distinction and drinking a pint or three wouldn't be considered unladylike. But that does seem to be a cultural difference.

Your thoughts?

 

[mark&sue]

I don't think nowdays woman drinking beer is socially unacceptable over here in the uk. Perhaps some years ago, but not now. I think many people find woman drinking from a pint glass a bit odd but loads do it. Woman tend to drink from bottles of beer or half pint glasses if they drink lager. I just though less woman prefer lager to say a glass of wine or a bicardi breezer.

What do others think?



Susan

 

[cleo]

Isn't that funny? Here, women drinking from a beer bottle looks very unladylike and odd, but again, loads do it. I could never drink out of a beer bottle in public (or at home, for that matter!). My grandmother would roll in her grave if she saw me doing that!

More thoughts on the matter?

 

[wideeyes]

I drink out of a pint glass or beer bottle at a pub, however I would never drink out of one at a restaurant, I would drink a glass of wine instead. My mum would never drink out of a pint glass, always half a larger, so maybe its a generation difference.

I think alcopops are more popular with younger people rather than a particular gender too.

 

[Minniespal]

I've given this same subject lots of thought in the past.

Personally I don't mind seeing a woman drinking out of a beer bottle. However, I cringe when I see a woman drinking out of a pint glass. I think it has something to do with the shape of the beer glasses in the UK. When I'm in the USA I don't mind the same woman drinking a pint. The glasses are different in the UK are different to the ones in the USA.

I like a bottle of beer with a burger. If I'm out for a social evening or out for a meal I would order a glass of wine or an alcoholic drink before I would order a beer.

 

[cleo]

Fascinating. Simon tells me there is a pint glass with a handle (which I would not like; it's ok for A&W root beer, but not for beer-beer) and a pint glass without a handle.

To my eye, a woman drinking from a beer bottle looks...well....unsavory. It's too 'personal'. But again, it's a wonderful cultural difference. I'm fascinated by it!

More...!!!

 

[wideeyes]

last time I drank out of a beer bottle a guy asked if I wanted a straw with it