Is drinking and smoking a major part of British culture? (fit in, theater)

[Sonrise]

Not trying to flame, I promise. I'm just genuinely curious, because I travel for work, and often go to places with high concentrations of British tourists and almost everyone of them drinks and smokes; a lot. Why, and do you know any one that chooses not to drink, and if so is he/she shunned as an outcast? Please answer these questions as honestly as possible. Thanks

[MaggieZ]

I've lived in the US and was told I was boring because I don't go out and drink and sit in bars and such on weekends. I don't think it's just a British thing to sit in bars and get drunk and watch sports and play darts and do karaoke and such to while away the hours. Pub quizzes are a huge thing also and they do serve food in British pubs(pubgrub) so it is a lot more organized and set up to provide a night's entertainment. IMO they got this reputation from those who do make pubs their life, you can't throw all Brits under one label. And if you look at most small towns all over the world, the bars are usually the only thing open in the evenings.
I see drinking and bars as being part of people's lives in most countries. It depends on the type people you associate with and what they do for entertainment, if you try to fit in the barscene and don't drink, they will wonder what you're even doing there.
I don't try to go into bars and wouldn't consider being friends with people who do nothing but drink every weekend. So if you think that's being ostracised...maybe so but it's all in who with and how you choose to spend your free time. There are lots of others who go to movies and theater and so on.

[Jezer]

I travel a bit too and when in places like France and Italy notice smokers far more.

Since the ban on smoking indoors here in the UK smokers are more noticable outside.

I don't drink so I can't comment much on bars except that it's nicer now that if I go to one I don't come out smelling like an ashtray.

[PA2UK]

Actually, the vast majority of the English people I know don't smoke. Especially since the smoking ban kicked in, I know several people who have quit.

As for drinking, I only know one English person who does not drink but no, she's not shunned or outcast at all.

[Scotslass]

People I associate with in Scotland are not heavy drinkers, most dont even smoke.

[sunshineleith]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

Not trying to flame, I promise. I'm just genuinely curious, because I travel for work, and often go to places with high concentrations of British tourists and almost everyone of them drinks and smokes; a lot. Why, and do you know any one that chooses not to drink, and if so is he/she shunned as an outcast? Please answer these questions as honestly as possible. Thanks

I just moved to England from Canada. From what I have seen, people here drink less and smoke less than Canadians. They drink slower (they drink about one pint in the same amount of time that a Canadian would have had three or four - no I am not joking). Could be price related as well - even in a pub, the drinks are more expensive than in Canada.

You mention British tourists though - are you seeing them in all-inclusive resorts with free booze? Or on business trips where the company is picking up the tab? In either of those situations I could well imagine they would be enjoying more than usual!

I can't explain you seeing more smoking though - from my observation, people here (England) smoke way less than in Canada.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by sunshineleith

I just moved to England from Canada. From what I have seen, people here drink less and smoke less than Canadians. They drink slower (they drink about one pint in the same amount of time that a Canadian would have had three or four - no I am not joking). Could be price related as well - even in a pub, the drinks are more expensive than in Canada.

You mention British tourists though - are you seeing them in all-inclusive resorts with free booze? Or on business trips where the company is picking up the tab? In either of those situations I could well imagine they would be enjoying more than usual!

I can't explain you seeing more smoking though - from my observation, people here (England) smoke way less than in Canada.

Exactly i was all inclusive 5 weeks ago in Spain and there were alot of Moderator cut: insults.troll removed folk eating and boozing all day, it was disgusting.

Go all the way on holiday for that? No thanks...

BUT, thats them on holiday, what are they like back home?

[Sonrise]

Hey just wanted to say thanks to everyone for keeping this civil; good job. I travel on business, but when on vacation we do tend to stay at All-Inclusives; and yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a Brit not drink. Was just curious.

[Plain Jane 3953]

Hardly any of the 50 people working in our department smokes - I only know of 1 and I think she quit when she got pregnant.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

Not trying to flame, I promise. I'm just genuinely curious, because I travel for work, and often go to places with high concentrations of British tourists and almost everyone of them drinks and smokes; a lot. Why, and do you know any one that chooses not to drink, and if so is he/she shunned as an outcast? Please answer these questions as honestly as possible. Thanks

Sonrise, many tourists go to drink to have a good time, its a culture to many people and a "way of life" Especially when I worked in Spain and did flights to eastern Europe you would see alot of stag parties and people were totally away with it.

I get embarrassed though especially seeing women totally out for the count.


I haven't came across a situation where someone was considered an outcast because they chose not to drink.