Judging by the festival-goers joyfully queuing for pre-lunch pints in the Glastonbury sunshine this weekend, the casual observer would assume it was business as usual for boozy Britain. One might draw a similar conclusion from recent footage of footballer Jack Grealish’s three-day bender to celebrate Manchester City winning the treble.
As a nation, our self-image is built upon our love of a drink. Here we are, sunburnt and sozzled in European holiday resorts. There we are, laughingly heralding wine o’clock, and frowning uncomprehendingly at those who don’t partake. Whether it’s a wedding or a wake, a post-work Friday or a holiday, alcohol has long lubricated our everyday lives.
But while we often think being drunk is part of being British, somehow ingrained in the fabric even, it seems we may be finally cutting back, if not completely sobering up. An unprecedented cultural shift? Not exactly. While we fondly imagine it’s our patriotic duty to celebrate drinking to excess, the true story of our historic relationship with liquor is somewhat more nuanced.
- The Telegraph. To read the full story, click here
