Alcohol Around the World

Why do different countries view alcohol differently?  Why in some countries is it normal to consume alcohol on your lunch break but in others it is frowned upon?  France, Spain, and Peru have lower drinking related problems in their countries and drinking while working is not out of the ordinary. The similarities between countries lies in alcohol being linked to rituals and rights of passage. Alcohol is associated with things of celebration around the world. Drinking facilities around the world also tend to be social places where people can come together. Societies that view drinking as positive tend to have less alcohol related problems than societies that view drinking and alcohol consumption as negative.

All 3 forms of alcohol have spanned across the world and appear to have been around since the Old Testament. Alcohol has always been associated with religion. In many religions it is seen as a gift from God, and only heavy consumption is viewed as a sin.

Spirits took the longest to become popular for drinking and were mostly used for medicinal purposes until the 18th century. People consumed all forms of alcohol in hopes that it would fend off illnesses and plagues.

Throughout the centuries alcohol has always been associated with food. Whether it was a staple to go along with bread in the early ages or a food enhancement, alcohol was consumed more rapidly in the past than today.

 References:

Hanson, David. (1997-2015). Alcohol Problems and Solutions. History of Alcohol and Drinking Around the World. Retrieved from http://www2.potsdam.edu/ alcohol/ Controversies/ 1114796842.html #.VL1XXtHQPIU

Social Issue Research Center. (1997-2014). Social and Cultural Aspects of Drinking. Retrieved from http://www.sirc.org/publik/drinking3.html