ellbellthomps
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 28, 2019
I was always brought to alcohol events as a child, and I turned out fine.
This OP asked about alcohol-centred events such as wine-tasting. I don’t imagine your family church events are 100% alcohol focused; simply having a glass of wine or beer at a family event is of course very reasonable.
But if I go to a wine-tasting, I go for adult discussion - not to entertain other people’s kiddies.
Ok have them running about - that wouldn’t be appropriate at a wine-tasting, which is discussion-based.Why would you be expected to entertain other people's kids there?
Ok have them running about - that wouldn’t be appropriate at a wine-tasting, which is discussion-based.
Another question for everyone here...if someone brings their children to an alcohol specific event, are they allowed to get mad when other adults (with no children) want to let loose and get a little tipsy? I notice that I often see complaints from parents about other adults getting tipsy, or even drunk, while at these types of events.
Yes, I understand the OP was talking about "alcohol centered" events, but as the thread has progressed some have commented that they don't drink alcohol in front of children under any circumstances so that was what my comments were regarding. Some would argue that a glass of wine at a family event/dinner is completely inappropriate. I don't understand that belief so I was interested in discussing.This OP asked about alcohol-centred events such as wine-tasting. I don’t imagine your family church events are 100% alcohol focused; simply having a glass of wine or beer at a family event is of course very reasonable.
Another question for everyone here...if someone brings their children to an alcohol specific event, are they allowed to get mad when other adults (with no children) want to let loose and get a little tipsy? I notice that I often see complaints from parents about other adults getting tipsy, or even drunk, while at these types of events.
Could go either way.For example, a wine tasting, beer fest, etc. An event where the main purpose is to drink.
not something where the main purpose is to drink. Nope.For example, a wine tasting, beer fest, etc. An event where the main purpose is to drink.
Here are my observations in Germany. Yes children start drinking much earlier. correct at 16 they can legally start with beer and wine.. Many start earlier. Now I have kids who are 13 and 14 and my DD (13) has shown curiousity of drinking / tasting wine socially with us and I said forget it. My son has no desire to start drinking and sees those who are wasted as "losers".Culturally speaking yes alcohol is one of our taboo type things.
But don't equate that to mean other countries don't have their own issues.
A study in 2015 in Germany "14.1% of the 12– to 17-year-olds surveyed had practiced binge drinking at least once in the preceding 30 days. The school program “Klar bleiben” (“Keep a Clear Head”) was designed for and implemented among 10th graders. The participants committed themselves to abstain from binge drinking for 9 weeks." (Bolding is mine because we're talking about 10th graders!). Additionally "Germany’s Federal Centre for Health Education (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, BZgA) estimates that in 2015 almost 70% of 12– to 17-year-olds in Germany had already drunk alcohol, and that approximately 1 in 7 adolescents had consumed 4 or more alcoholic drinks on at least one of the last 30 days. "
For the U.S. the information I found was from 2018 so not a tit for tat and the ages do include a bit more but close enough " According to the 2018 NSDUH, approximately 4.3 million people (about 11.4 percent) ages 12–20 (11.3 percent of males and 11.4 percent of females) reported binge drinking in the past month."
I think you could also look at drinking ages here. For instance in Germany it's 16 (age 18 for harder liquor). Beer can be given to kids as young as 14 if they are in the presence of their parents/guardians. For the U.S. Federally it's 21 with states having various exceptions allowable. Are the behaviors between the two countries really that different? Binge drinking seems to be a problem amongst the youth in both. Or is it really just a different age bracket/time period in one's life where the binge drinking is more prevalent between the countries?
I see this also as a learning lesson for kids. On the rare occasion I see an adult Man/woman acting inappropiate or making a fool of herself I point this out to my DD/DS.. with the statement this is what happens to you when over do it with drinking and you may put yourself in an unsafe situation. It is sad in this day in age, but my DD at 13 already knows about date-rape drugs being snuck into drinks. I have had these adult conversations with my kids.Not unless you are being an ******* to me personally or my child, but I'd be angry at you if you were sober in that case too.
While adults can manage drinking in public and keep themselves in check I think it's smart to assume that there will always be one or more that may not. If you choose to bring your children to an even where alcohol is being served then I think you do have to be OK with adults letting loose. If you aren't OK with that then it really is best to keep your kid home.
I also find that in the US, if you choose not to drink at a bar, lounge, club, social event etc... people find that odd, or make stupid comments.. Here I can join friends at a Weinfest and simply drink a diet coke and nobody gives me the wierd eye.
Another WI Diser here.I grew up in WI, raised our son in da U.P., and both places are like the line in "Sweet Home Alabama", "A baby....in the bar....". Lots of children in bars playing video games, having fish fry, etc. Not saying it's right, just saying it's not unusual.....
Terri
I wouldn't disagree with that. You were saying though:Though when comparing US to Germany overall, from my observations, I would say Americans binge drink much more.
No wonder college kids go nuts once they are out of the house.
I've seen these comments from posters on the DIS I just have yet to experience it with exception to my husband's work. But no one is actually judging for not drinking and that seems to be more the experience others have. I've been to countless events where people drink and don't drink and no one cares one bit, I've been to countless happy hours where no one makes any side glances, comments or whatever for not drinking...at a happy hour. Couldn't tell you why others have this experience when others don't.I also find that in the US, if you choose not to drink at a bar, lounge, club, social event etc... people find that odd, or make stupid comments..
Vast majority of weddings I've been to it's beer and wine and that's it. Open bar doesn't mean types of alcohol. Open bar refers to monetary requirements--open bar would be paid for by the host (and tips may already be accounted for) and cash bar is one where guests would be the ones paying for their own drinks.For US wedding I think the focus is also mixed drinks ( vodka/cranberry gin/tonic)… open bar items.. Most german weddings serve beer and wine, and then Schnapps afterwards but most people take it easy on the Schnapps.
I've seen a few people here and there get drunk but I think you find more the wedding party is the one who would be more likely to be seen as drunk. IDK why but it almost seems like that's an expectation--strange I agree. The wedding I went to in October the bride got sick...on her dress though it was after the wedding was over when they were headed out for the casino..and no they did not actually make it to the casino lol.for many wedding the focus is the open bar/ let's get wasted… All US weddings I have been to, ( been to many), people get not just tipsy happy/ but S faced drunk where some are carried to their hotel room. In Germany I have never seen this. Sure people get tipsy but not crazy..