Thread: Question for the Americans: Beer drinking

Originally Posted by jnich67

We don't have (any longer anyway) the wine and beer culture that Europeans have. I don't think kids here are as educated about alcohol and so, it can be a problem when they drink. We also drive a lot more.

One of the things that is obvious when americans visit Belgium is that they are not used to real beer. They desperately want to try it, but after the second duvel they suddenly get hit by the hammer

One of the things over here is that massive DUI check campaigns are common. Especially on special occasions. Police will cordon an intersection, and pull over everyone for a sobriety test. I believe that this was a problem in the US for awhile (the whole right to privacy debate) whereas here the cop stops you and you either comply with a test or get detained.

But even so, the younger generation (my age and below) are responsible and have a designated driver. people caught driving under influence are > 35 years old on average.

I (personally) find that to be a bit of a generalization. A lot of Americans, especially us younger folk, like to drink high ABV and hoppy beers. We find we get a mellower buzz and better flavor and stay away from the sloppy drunk you get off of cheap beers. It is definitely something that you have to acquire the ability to drink but is well worth the time.

On an off topic note, Bruno, I got the W&B you sent, honed it up and shaved with it today. Wonderful razor ;-).

Where my parents live is a dry county, meaning you can't even buy alcohol there. Most people drive to the neighboring counties for their beer.

Originally Posted by Bruno

One of the things that is obvious when americans visit Belgium is that they are not used to real beer. They desperately want to try it, but after the second duvel they suddenly get hit by the hammer

One of the things over here is that massive DUI check campaigns are common. Especially on special occasions. Police will cordon an intersection, and pull over everyone for a sobriety test. I believe that this was a problem in the US for awhile (the whole right to privacy debate) whereas here the cop stops you and you either comply with a test or get detained.

I do believe that would be a violation of our right to be free of unreasonable search.

You see the police have no cause to search everyone therefore should not be allowed to do it. Or alternatively they could search everyone then have there asses handed to them in court when 90% of the searches were deemed unreasonable and they were held libel for the illegal interference in the private lives of citizens. They can't even look in your trunk on a legal traffic stop without being able to later justify why they felt it was necessary in court.

Such is the line between freedom and subjugation.

Personally I am in favor of such checks. They are the only way to actually enforce the legal limit. I do not consider this an invasion of my privacy, rather a concession. I like to travel safely, and part of making this possible is by such checks.

Those who give up freedom for security have neither.

I'm under the impression that police now do the same types of checks here. If you don't pull over to a sobriety check point, they can hold you or do something bad. Maybe I'm wrong?

Jordan

Around where I live they just follow you from the bar to your car. This is 'reasonable suspicion' and they will perform a sobriety check for this.

Originally Posted by shotwell1234

Around where I live they just follow you from the bar to your car. This is 'reasonable suspicion' and they will perform a sobriety check for this.

That's pretty rough, though I suppose I understand. Wouldn't it be better to test them before they got in their car from the bar though?

They can't pull you over until you leave the parking lot though.