Wisconsin is #1...... in being drunk (Milwaukee, Greendale: transplants, home, school)

[berries]

and driving in the U.S. That is really a sad state of affairs

[JoshB]

I know Wisconsin ranked high. I think that it's just a -part of our culture taht we really can't change. This is sad, berries do you have something against this state? You seem to be able to point out the negatives more than the positives on all your threads/posts.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by berries

and driving in the U.S. That is really a sad state of affairs

It is ingrained in the culture of the state.

That being said, I love visiting some of the northwoods taverns and supper clubs up in Oneida and Vilas counties when I take trips through that region.

[EnjoyEP]

I find this to be one of the more amazing / perplexing aspects of Wisconsin, although I think it is more the UPPER MIDWEST in general, than just Wisconsin, to be fair.

Here, in the Milwaukee area, the newspaper covers excessive drinking (around, say, a Brewers' game, etc.) as more of a joyful passtime/hobby than something that is taboo. Don't get me wrong honestly...you could find the real "EnjoyEP" out in a Brewers' tailgate when I am living here a time or three a year in the Miller Park parking lot well watered (ONLY if I have an alternate transportation home of course) so I am not "coming down" on those that like a good dosage of alcohol - I do too now and then. HOWEVER, it is sometimes amazing how accepted / flaunted / proud this state is of that culture.

(One way of looking at this is in the Albuquerque, NM area, most sports-lovers such as myself would tailgate with many [too many?] drinks, haivng a safe ride home, but you weren't necessarily outwardly FLAUNTING or overtly PROUD of it either. It wasn't that you were ASHAMED either...I find nothing wrong with having some drinks as long as it is done responsibly and in the context of behaving without hindering others...but it was more that folks had their drinks / fun within that context, got home safely (the extremely majority responsible and sensicle ones) and that was that.

Here in WI, it is more of a celebrated / rejoiced / almost flaunted tradition to drink to excess, especially around events like Brewers games, Summerfest, etc.

Another thing:

Most states / areas you'll go to, you'll find 21-to-35 year olds having their excess drinks in bars. Not a surprise no matter where you go.

But the amazing thing is WI is that you'll find 65, 75 year old folks doing the same thing.

Last night I was in a bar in Greendale, WI...and well over 1/2 the participants were at least 60 years old - drinking relatively heavily in a super-smokey environment.

Now hey, a 72 year old has as much a right to do this as a 33 year old (as long both parties do so responsbily to others and get home safely), however, THAT is just a very unique / amazing aspect to the upper Midwest. Now, if you head to Florida, will you find older folk drinking? Of course...although many are northern transplants as it is.

But here there is so much more of an accepted culture of 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, etc., having their heavy drinks in the evening, or just about everyone having A drink (or three) in the evenings.

Again, I am not casting stones in the least. I am a drinker too...I just do so when I do *chose* to drink (like the majority of Wisconsinites) that I do so in a responsible manner. I have nothing in the least against drinking responsibly. However, it is just so much more "accepted" or the "norm" here, etc., that is is unique.

[Erma]

Wow...I never looked at Wisconsin as being a drunk state and I grew up there. I travel all over the world and find that the southern, southeastern states consume more than the tailgaters in Wisconsin.

[tekape]

I wouldn't be so discouraged. I'm a WI girl transplanted to Wyoming....and drinking and driving is rampant here as well.....we just cannot escape it!

[sunflower53072]

They do serve beer and or alcohol at almost every event here. I'm not complaining, but the rules are much more relaxed here than any other state I've live in.

[BacktoNE]

It's a problem everywhere but it does seem excessive here, and apparently in most of the northern-midwest States from the looks of the list.

"It's the culture" isn't an acceptable excuse but I don't see it changing and it's sad because individuals and entire families are being destroyed by drunk drivers. Until the mind-set changes, it won't stop. Until the laws become tougher, it won't stop. I was amazed to learn that road blocks are actually against the law here?? They make a huge difference and, yes it takes money to have the personnel on the clock, but it's less expensive than the toll alcohol takes each year.

[KateDaum]

New Hampshire has the most drunks per capita though. I think anywhere there are long winters drinking is a problem. On the other hand we don't drink. I mean I have an ocassional glass of wine at the holidays. Most of our friends don't drink either. My husband will have a beer but never drives after drinking.

Lastly, this survey was strictly based on how people answered the survey. It was not bases on actual stats but how people replied to the survey.
And yeah, I noticed berries tends to bring out negative stuff on other boards too.

[KateDaum]

Part of my post didn't make it. I was going to say, back in the 70s after I got out of school I worked in IL. The drinking age was 19. I drank many nights way too much and thought nothing of driving home. It seems that at least now we are much more aware of drinking and driving. Thirty years ago it was underheard of to have a DUI.