Kate Fox on alcohol in Britain.

[Kromovaracun]

Kate Fox, social anthropologist and author of the delightful 'Watching the English' (which I know has its fair share of fans on AB), wrote an article about a week ago on drinking in British culture. Given the high significance put on this issue by many ABers, I'd just like to know what people make of her conclusions?

(Forgive me if it's already been posted - I didn't remember seeing it, but I haven't been on AB as much lately so may not have noticed).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15265317

[sandyRoe]

Isn't she just saying that alcohol won't turn Dr Jekyll into Mr Hyde? But what it does is loosen the inihibitions. In vino veritas.
Nothing much new there.

[B00]

Cool, she's probably been paid to come up with the conclusions we already knew anyway.

[Kromovaracun]

Her message is pretty simple, yes. But I think the point that she's making is that the way we treat the problem of binge drinking or whatever is based on a false understanding about how alcohol affects people. If you believe that it inherently disinhibits people and/or makes them aggressive/amorous/whatever, then you'll derive very different conclusions about how to tackle the issue than if you believe that one's native culture makes you react to alcohol in particular ways rather than the drink itself, which on its own merely inhibits balance and coordination. All she's arguing is that the evidence points to the latter.

[missnemesis]

If you're an a$$hole with a drink chances are you're an a$$hole without one, whatever the reasons.

[jake-the-peg]

I'm not convinced of the logic of the position.

Yes we know there is a pacebo effect and that can be quite strong, but that doesn't negate the effect of real alcohol.

Just because you can cure headaches with a placebo doesn't mean that aspirin doesn't work.

It's an interesting position and probably plays it's part in the overall picture.

But the way we use alcohol is also a big factor a lot of Brits go out with the aim to get drunk and wild as a objective and see it as a way to let off steam, or celebrate.

The French Cafe Culture is often held up as an example but it's not a very good one because alcoholism in France is crazy.

There are 9,000 alcohol related deaths in the UK a year, there are 17,000 in France.

Depends which problem you are trying to address

[Gromit]

I have always thought alcohol just exaggerates the drinkers current mood or underlining character. If you are happy, and have a drink, you become even more happy. If you are depressed, you become more depressed. If you are angry, you become more angry. If you are violent, you become more violent.

Certainly from personal experience, I see drink not helping a lot of people.

[ummmm]

I agree Gromit. Happy people tend to get happier, and funnier. But if someone has issues...boy, do they come out when alcohol is consumed.

[sp1814]

I agree with ummmm and Gromit on this, based on personal experience.

Side note - I'm one of the people who read and loved 'Watching The English' and am a little disappointed that there's been no follow up. Come one Kate - it's six years old now!

[youngmafbog]

She has some points, but it is a little simplistic. I suspect the problem covers many different issues and indeed even those issues change from person to person.
Alcohol does make you do things you would not normally do though, I really dont see how anyone can deny that, most of us have personal experiences (usually after a free bar) that we would not like to repeat.
She is right thought that lecturing us not to have 3 pints is liek a red rag to a bull!

[anotheoldgit]

We are always ready to knock ourselves, but very really does anyone knock other cultures, but then this would be racist wouldn't it?

/// when in fact the weirdest and most puzzling tribe of all is right here on our doorstep. I am of course talking about my own native culture - the British. ///

Oh so she thinks we are the 'weirdest and most puzzling tribe of all' just because of some's attitude to drinking alcohol?

Perhaps she might also care to study the drug problem in the Caribbean, oh and aren't they also partial to a swig or two of the Old Rum Bottle?

sp1814

/// I'm one of the people who read and loved 'Watching The English' and am a little disappointed that there's been no follow up. ///

What do you suggest sp, 'Watching to Africans' 'Watching the Asians'?

[Gromit]

AOG

FYI


'She has not only compiled a comprehensive list of English qualities, she has examined them in depth and wondered how we came to acquire them. Her book is a delightful read.' (The Sunday Times )

'I loved the section on mobile-phone etiquette. Shrewd . . . I liked the chapter on English humour. This is an entertaining, clever book. Do read it and then pass it on.' (Daily Telegraph )

'Amusing . . . entertaining.' (The Times )

'Watching the English...

'If you like this kind of anthropology (and I do) there is a wealth of it to enjoy in this book. Her observations are acute...fortunately she doesn't write like an anthropologist but like an English woman -with amusement, not solemnity, able to laugh at herself as well as us.' (Daily Mail )

[Kromovaracun]

"Oh so she thinks we are the 'weirdest and most puzzling tribe of all' just because of some's attitude to drinking alcohol?"

I really don't see what's insulting about it. She's arguing for more scholarship/research to be carried out focusing on the English - which if you'd actually read her book, you'd know is what her work involves.

Congratulations on introducing race though.

[anotheoldgit]

Kromovaracun

/// Congratulations on introducing race though. ///

Oh, I apologise I thought that is what her book was about, 'The English Race'.

Or are we only allowed to introduce race if it is the English Race of people we are criticising?

[ummmm]

Some people drink sensibly.