My word - whats the road death/accident rate like from alchohol? Is it not wise to go out at night?

If someone saw the different alcohol cultures as a barrier to emigrating, I'd think they weren't serious about the thing in the first place.

Just like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road.
Different laws.
Cadbury's chocolate tastes different.
et al

Just my two cents worth though. The fun and excitment is in the learning and the new experiences, whatever they may be, just take it as you find it.

Cheers,

Rich.

Comes down to personal responsibility. I know I couldnt live with myself if I hurt someone after having a bevvy or two, so I dont do it. I dont know if its any worse here than in the UK, but I've seen more "drive safe" roadblocks here than I ever saw in the UK... can you imagine how popular that would be on top of the everyday congestion in the UK???

Aint that the truth, if you want it to be the same as you are used to then emmigrating is possibly not the answer to whatever the question is.

One thing I know is that drink does not solve the problem if its the reason for drinking - just puts it off. Taken me years to realise that. And boy did I drink in my teens and early 20s. I still though do go through periods when the drinking gets to be too regular. The wife brings me in and it settles down again.

What I actually like is a bottle of wine with the wife on a Sunday when its quiet and the drinking is actually enjoyable rather than a desparate attempt to get away from it all.

PS I drank Molsen draught and liked it. Why does it get panned? My system struggles these days with real ale. Too much in the past. Not sure why larger is better for me..odd.

That's certainly true of any aspect of life

Whats worse - a driver that can drive well on a couple of drinks or a sobber driver who has no intention of stopping whatever obstacle is coming towards them and is a complete health hazzard.

Here here. Love it. Don't get enough. A major part of the reason we are doing something different - hopefully....

I think "larger" works for most people.

Both are equally lethal ... they're both driving with unjustified confidence and a complete lack of regard for other road users and pedestrians.

People who think they can drive well after a couple of drinks really scare the crap out of me ... I just won't get in a car with them.

And as others have said ... I've seen Canadians put a bucket of the stuff away and still think they can drive ... ever heard of a pole ornament?

Take a look at http://www.madd.ca

Agreement in totallity. But I do feel somewhat guilty about my youth. Did a lot of it - never had an accident or hurt someone but that doesn't mean I couldn't have done. Society has changed to a degree. I hope at least the younger people realise more of the problems it causes but doing something about it is another thing. But of course cars are better and faster now so the driver who caresNOT can now go much faster than I could in my re-sprayed old heap that I had.

Its like smoking. When I was 20 there was not as much DO YOU REALISE THIS WILL KILL YOU in the media.

Perhaps when Star Trek comes into play?

I recently visited Germany on a business trip and was surprised to see vending machines selling bottles of beer in a German engineering design center/factory . I remember thinking if that was in the UK it would be empty....... or vandalised depending where it was?!

I was stunned by how many people still smoke when I got here ... I thought it was dieing out ... it's one of the things that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time.

As a Canadian (ex) employer, I completely agree with your observations. It's not tolerated to drink on the job (ie at lunch). Employers do not want to be paying for workers that are not as close to 100% as they could/should be (or want to be liable for any alcohol-induced *****ups in some cases). Work hard, play hard - sort of mentality (not that I agree with it).

Also, drinking at lunch can be a surefire way to communicate to others "I'm very stress", "I can't handle the stress" or "I don't take my job seriously". Whether that's the truth or not about you, that's what it can communicate to (Canadian) colleagues, in the general business world.

I personally don't mind a beer at lunch and I never really cared if my employees did but I was very keen not to give that impression.

Staff parties are an entirely different matter though :scared: