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Dear Albert,
I liked the way you described your Dad and Mom in reply to Augusto's "Good
old days" postings. Your Dad comes across as a honest and principled man.
May his soul rest in piece.
One sentence in your description though struck me and I would like you (or
anyone) to further expand. You wrote, "He never visited bars .If he wanted
to drink he would drink it at home so we knew how much he was drinking." I
am not speaking of your Dad specifically but would just like a generic
explanation.
I have heard similar stuff told of many men. As though drinking at home is
acceptable but drinking in a bar is not. In fact I have a theory that most
of the local village and city 'clubs' with in-house bars were set up for
the sole purpose of allowing men to get past the social stigma of going to
the local bar.
Examples:
"Honey I'm going to the Club, not to a bar!"
"I guess it's ok then."
or
"Robert! What's wrong with you. Why are you measuring the wall? My God he's
dead drunk!"
"Wazh hat der blubh daddy!"
"What? Speak to your father. Where were you Robert?"
"Oh shut up John. He was just having fun at the club. Not drinking at
Edwin's bar like that Felcy's son."
"Oh! Then it's ok."
or
"Rosy how did you get that black eye? Has Felix been beating you again?"
"Yes mummy"
"Should I tell your father to come and speak to him?"
"No mummy. At least he drinks at home and doesn't go to bars like Francis
and his brothers."
"That is true"
Now what is it about drinking in bars that is considered so reprehensible?
I think social drinking is the best invention since sliced bread, and more
popular too. I've seen old uncles who drink themselves to death - but at
home. I've seen people who don't know how to drink in public make utter
fools of themselves at a wedding or family occasion.
As a practising alcoholic I am quite happy drinking at home, but am even
happier drinking at a bar with good buddies exchanging news, gossip and
curses. I wish someone would tell me why social drinking is so frowned upon
by certain sections of society, who are quite willing to accept alcohol
consumption - but not in bars.
Cheers!
Cecil
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