Recently I was in a liquor store buying a bottle of wine for a party I was headed to. It was a Wednesday night work party thing. As I was walking around the store looking at what to buy (I didn't want to spend to much, and I don't go to liquor stores often, so seeing all the neat bottles was kinda fun. There was one in the shape of a skull for $45.99...lol) there was a mom in there with her two kids. I recognized the mom because of her scrubs - she was one of the moms in my daughters kindergarten class. The kids were talking to one of the store employees about the renovations that were being done. They seemed comfortable talking to him, like they knew each other. Then I went to the check out and I was behind the mom and her kids (only line open). The mom was purchasing a good amount of beer and hard liquor (and cigarettes) and paid with a pre-written check. They seemed to all know each other pretty well, the kids were talking to the check out person (a different employee) about school.
So what would be your first impression of this? What would your "judgement" be about this? This is only a liquor store, they don't sell anything else, other than maybe pineapple juice for mixers. Would you bring your children into a place like this? Would you do it if it were just a one time thing, or would you do it on a regular basis not even thinking twice about it. I've talked to a few people about it, and I get different reactions from everyone.
I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the OP was so close to the woman that she could look over her shoulder and view the check AND be privy to the children's conversations.
Thats how it is here, they don't sell liquor in the grocery stores or anywhere other than a liquor store, so you MUST go into one to get anything if you want it.
My point to the employees knowing the kids, was that it seemed to me that it ment they were in there often (especially seeing that the mom had a pre-written out check to pay). So then my brain went to "I wonder how much this woman (and husband) are drinking? Are they drinking in front of her kids?" Totally circumstantial, I have no evidence of this at all, and I could totally be wrong (really hope I am), but some times you just get that feeling, you know?
You were in there purchasing a bottle of wine for a party, why would you not give the woman the same benefit of the doubt?
LOL I will admit that I have had a few infront of my kids. Never really in the house, but out at dinner, or weddings, etc. I don't find anything wrong with it, thats not the way I ment it at all. I ment on a regular basis, to the point of getting "to" drunk.
So, everybody who drinks on a regular basis does so to the point of getting drunk? And you ascertained this was a perfect st ranger's lifestyle by witnessing a mere snippet of her life?
I know! I was late to the party because I couldn't stop going around and looking at them all! LOL That, and I was trying to justify with myself getting a bottle of Baileys for $24 for our house.... We rarely drink in the house (it would just be for me since my husband would never have it), so there would be no real "need" for it, but I just love the stuff, and its so expencive when your out...
Sorry, you don't have it right at all. I mentioned the cigarrets because that was one of the 3 things she got (cigarrets, beer, and hard liquor). Personally, I dont smoke, and wouldn't smoke since I have kids, but thats a whole nother thread! LOL
And yes, I made a point of saying that she had a pre-written check, but not because I was trying to say she was poor "'cause she can't pay cash or use a credit card" but because it was a PRE-WRITTEN check, hence this wasn't her first trip around the liquor store, seemingly.
I have no problem with people drinking (moderatly) in the house or out to dinner and infront of their kids. But to me, I would never bring my children into a liquor store. I'd wait till my husband was home to watch them, or there was a neighbor that could watch them for the 10 minutes it would take to get there, etc. To me, liquor shouldn't be that important. Just me. And sorry, but bringing your children into a wine tasting is not OK. Just me.
Wow, a PRE-WRITTEN (must be important if it is capitalized) always means that you have visited that store numerous times and that means you are a drunk. I always thought a pre-written check meant a)somebody was being polite by not making people wait behind them while they fill it out or b) they were purchasing for somebody else, be it a friend or relatives or c) It is an expense check from their work.
As for the cigarettes, I often buy them for my mother, who doesn't drive anymore. I don't smoke, but she does - she is Dutch and tobacco never had the stigma there that it does here now. She is 78 and I am not going to change her now. If she wants a cigarette, I am not going to begrudge her in her twilight years. Oh, and she likes her glass of wine too. Her cardiologist did and angiogram and told her that her lifetime (did I mention she is European?) of having a glass of red wine with her dinner has kept her arteries as clear as a 30 year old.
OP - how about breweries? We have the Coors Brewery here (and a large Budwiser one). The brewery tours are always on the tourism board's list of fun things to do with kids in the city. And they have a tasting at the end. Kids get soda, parents get beer. My kids have been there. (As well as the liquor store.) We have sampled the beer in front of them.
Oh goodness, talk about taking something out of context and going obnoxious with it... Your right, you really must be a heathen..... As another poster said, its something that just doesn't sit well with me. Sorry if thats such a problem for you. I have no issue with an adult going into a liquor store, but when they have a child with them, I don't think its overly appropriate. JMO
In my state, you can only buy beer in grocery stores. For everything else, you have to go to the liquor store. Although in the past few years, the state has started a move into the 21st century are now allowed to be open on Sundays. Phew, finally.
Our kids have been in the liquor stores, we drink in front of them, we have participated in the tailgate parties at football practice. I wouldn't organize an FAC at a kids' practice (ok, maybe I would), however, when a parents brings his motor home and starts mixing up Margaritas and passing them out, I am not going to decline.
OP - you do know that the American Medical Association has said that a glass of wine a night can be very, very healthy.
So, like a good girl, I take my medicine
PS...Can I bring my kids to Germany for the Cocktail class? My youngest is 14 and he would get a kick out of it! (Must be us Boulderites that find that kind of class ok for our kids).
) Yes, I buy wine and beer at the grocery when he's with us. Yes, he's been inside of a liquor store. Yes, he's even sat at the bar with us while we were waiting on a table at some restaurants. I'm sure we have had judgements passed on us just like the OP (I am in the Bible Belt, after all.) However, I think that if you hide drinking or condemn it, it just makes drinking that much more mysterious and tempting.
They have daily wine tasting, plus cheese and specialty soda sampling - the kids love it. I only did wine tasting once with the kids (bad day), but think nothing about bringing them into the store (although I usually go during the day when they are in school). DH goes to a different liquor store (better beer selection/prices), and they give the kids lolly pops. I don't know anyone who doesn't drink in front of the kids, and my parents drank in front of me (responsibly). They had cocktail hour every evening before dinner.
