In general, do Americans think that British people drink too much alcohol? ?

Question

And how much do Americans think is too much? A while ago in the parenting section a mum asked a question in which she said that about 3-4 evenings a week she and her husband would drink a bottle of wine between them and she wondered if this was a problem with the kids asleep upstairs. Almost without exception the American answers told her that she should not be drinking at all and that she may have an alcohol problem if she drinks half a bottle of wine in one night. Interestingly, almost all the British answers told her not to worry - half a bottle is only two glasses and most of them drank that in one night easily (this was also my answer, lol!). I also recall a couple of years ago, when I was in New York with a few friends, we were in a restaurant and when we ordered a second bottle of wine the waiter actually asked us if we were sure we wanted another one! There were four of us (all adults) none of us were driving and we certainly weren't drunk. I was quite taken aback by his reaction - in England they are just glad you are spending money on another bottle! Has anyone else noticed this difference between America and Britain? It's a sobering (lol!) thought that in America my drinking habits could be viewed as an evidence of an alcohol problem!

Answer 1

As befits a nation founded by Puritans we Americans tend to be a bit more puritanical than you.  Witness the Prohibition era and current efforts to ban smoking.  If you get a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) they just about rip your face off and if you kill someone during a DUI  you might as well be dead.   Prohibition was an example of how unenforceable laws lead to widespread lawlessness.  Organized crime in this country really got its start with prohibition.  On the other hand no one wants to be hurt or killed by some drunk driver.   Riding commuter trains with people that are too happy also is kind of annoying especially when all you really want to do is doze off.  

Personally I think drinking on a daily basis is too often.  Alcoholism is a problem over here too.   Thanks to the Irish and their bibulous reputation, the British get off easy here.

Answer 2

I don't know about the rest of Americans, but I saw a British documentary called "Pi$sed and Pregnant" that exposed the high percentage of British women who drink while they're pregnant. It even showed preggos drinking and partying at pubs and nobody even flinched about it.

In America, that is a BIG NO-NO! If you drink alcohol in public and are visibly pregnant in the US, you'll most likely get cussed out and/or thrown out of the bar. I've seen it happen before.

So, I must say that after seeing that documentary, I kind of started thinking that you Brits love your alcohol a little too much.

Sorry!

**EDIT**

I see that Markovka saw that documentary, too!

Answer 3

My father once told me of an incident in America, where he'd been sent for a business-trip. He was sat with a couple of friends; they'd had a few American lagers between them. An American group turned to them and said: You English guys, sure drink a lot!

Answer 4

I don't drink and i am from britain , a bottle of wine to four people is nothing , its just cultural differences ,  

Answer 5

I have never heard anyone bring up if the British drink too much. I say drink how ever much you want as long as you don't obsess over it, and can make it to work in the morning.

Answer 6

Your own government knows that Britain drinks too much. I saw a BBC documentary called Pissed and Pregnant and it said that not only do Britons drink more than anyone else in the EU, but that pregnant mother drink more than any other country in the world. I also saw another documentary on the BBC about how younger people are being afflicted with liver disease because of excessive drinking. This is not an American invention. I live in Germany and have traveled extensively and the general knowledge in continental Europe is that excessive drinking is a part of British culture.  

Answer 7

what do you think we sit around eating McDonalds and think about the british ? NO......... to much is when you feel throw up commin up from your stomach and through your throat in 0.2 seconds  

Answer 8

we never know unless we have the real statistics to compare. all that people say is rubbish. in my view, both british and american consume a lot of alcohol

Answer 9

Hummmm I'm American and see no problem with having a few glasses of wine 3-4 time a week, I do it. But there are a bunch of nosy judgmental Americans who I'm sure would disagree with me.  

Answer 10

I think the whole world knows britain drinks more than anyone else.

Answer 11

Why should we care what they think?

Answer 12

I'm British (Welsh) and whilst I will agree that alcohol abuse is a major problem in the UK, particularly amongst young people, I also think that the media does over sensationalise the whole issue.  I'm a complete teetotaller.  Never touch a drop.  I'm getting married this weekend and won't even be having a glass of champagne.  Why? Because I hate the stuff.  It makes me feel sick.  I also don't like to see how people act when they're drunk.  Its embarrassing.

And I'm sure I'm not the only Brit who thinks like this.

However, is the BBC ever going to do a documentary called "British and Never Drink Alcohol"? No.  Because "Pi$sed and Pregnant" makes for better viewing.

As far as Americans go I would imagine that when you say "Heavy Drinking European Country" they would immediately think of the Irish, rather than the Brits.  I have to say that the Irish people I've met have WAAAY outstripped us when it comes to having a booze up and craic!  I think the difference is that they can handle it better.  A lot of British people CAN'T handle their booze (like my 22 year old brother in law who's currently in prison after one drunken-fight-outside-a-nightclub too many) and they are the ones who give the media fuel for their fire and set a bad example.

So you get a one-sided view of things.

Answer 13

Britain's annual alcohol consumption is nowhere near the obesity levels caused by junk food that the americans consume. glass houses and throwing stones come to mind!