R I C H

Using the campus pub on occasional lunchtimes helps with creative development

Oh, and team morale.

Almost Canadian

I agree, but why lunchtime? Go after work or, if it is the "something for nothing" point of view, finish the day early and slope off to the pub.

If people can't make it through a working day without alcohol, I think there is something wrong.

Oink

Duh, it helps to calm the nerves.


Quite a few teachers from my secondary school used to go down the local pub at lunchtime. Luckily they’d use the saloon bar and couldn’t see us in the public bar.

Almost Canadian

LOL

R I C H

Why lunchtime? 'Cos it's not open any earlier.

Sometimes we need somewhere to brainstorm, discuss creative concepts, and don't want the confines of a dull, soulless meeting room with everyone staring at each other round a flip chart pad. Not everyone chooses to drink, but the more informal environment makes it fun, and more likely inhibitions about input and debate are broken down.

It's nothing to do with getting through the day with or without alcohol. Students gather in the pub and they're our audience - putting ourselves in their environment helps us understand trends, messaging opportunities and how we can best engage. The liquid refreshment's an aside.

Alan2005

Yes, I can't get through the day without beer. It's got nothing to do with the fact that I just happen to enjoy a pie and a pint at lunch every now and then.

Atlantic Xpat

Marketing bull-manure. You like beer. End of.

R I C H

Busted

Atlantic Xpat

Yeah, I can just imagine the phone call to Mrs Rich....'wasss that honey? yeah I'm in the pub. No I'm not drink, I mean drunk, I'm workin' , no serioushly, I'm undertstand, underschta, understanding trends, and <hic>, working on messsaagg, messaagg, messaag....oh cluck, it yes, I'm pished!'

R I C H

The trend that's most obvious is how apparently lightweight students are. How can a trip to the pub on Friday lunchtime for a burger and fries be accompanied by a coke or orange juice? When I was a student it'd be several brown ales, a strapping lass to leer over, and gradual inebriation as lunchtime slid into late afternoon. They've got no idea how to behave here.....

Atlantic Xpat

I was impressed by the cheerful fella who turned up at a (tediously dull) Strategy Class the other week who was very obviously under the affluence of incohol. I thought it showed a level of chutzpah that is generally lacking in the yoof of today. That he sat through the class, contributed to the debate and that the Lecturer didn't appear to notice, was equally amusing.

On the general subject of lunchtime drinking, it's not so much frowned upon, it's just unthinkable here. Evening drinking - at least accompanying vendor/customer meals seems to be de-rigeur, but lunchtime? No, mines a water or diet sprite please!

But, that lunchtime drinking culture is more of a 'city' thing anyway isn't it, even in the UK? If one is commuting by public transit, then a few pints at lunchtime or after work are no problem. (leaving aside the actual ability to get any work done after a few beers). If one works on a god-forsaken industrial estate somewhere then the drive home puts the dampner on the desire to have a lunchtime drink.

That being said, the early 90's for me were the prime time of lunchtime inebriation. A youngish office (average age 23), management who either turned a blind eye or didn't have a clue what was occuring and that frisson of danger that was drinking in downtown Basildon lead to a lot of fun. Not a place to go for a drink after work though.

Almost Canadian

And that's fine. I guess that after having to watch how my breath smells in the company of client for the years that I have, I have just got out of the habit of having a beer and returning back to work.

The thought of being faced with a nurse or doctor smelling of alcohol after a lunchtime session (albeit in a "non emergency" position) is somewhat worrying to me. Quite frankly, I am amazed that it is allowed.

Steve_P

Do we know for sure that it is?

Lord Vader

Yes, planning futures with alcohol on your breath is may not go over well either. But after work though, that is a different matter all together.

I suppose for some jobs having a drink is more appropriate than others. I am sure that a professor or a doctor or someone could get full fledged drunk and stoned and still operate at a somewhat functional level.

Driving a cab, bus or plane, or interacting with the public in general is a bit taboo though.

Oink

Pub lunches are the best. Scampi and chips or those big sausages, chips and peas. And a pint.