h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Do you drink 'responsibly'? How much do you drink? Do you think you might drink too much? Do you care?

These days I don't drink much in the week, but like many people, I do enjoy a weekend binge. Too much? I stay within the 28 unit recomended limit. Units? Bottles? one of the two. Do I care? Not really. There was a few times in my younger days when consumption started getting a little... Heavy.




Did you give up drinking for January? Do you believe in de-toxing?

Blasphemy! De-toxin, de-schmoxin.





If you do drink, why do you drink? What's your tipple of choice? Conversely, if you don't drink, why not?

Habit. Cultural influence. It's a release. It's fun. I flippin' love a good session. Tipple(s) of choice include Whisky (good quality blendid Scotch. J&B and BNJ being two personal faves) A pint of lager (I can appreciate the whole real ale thing, but lager is so functional and accesable, and, I might be in the minority here, can taste superb.) Guinness. Ice cold, the way it should be. Love in a glass.
I also used to drink huge amounts of red wine, but my stomach seemed to turn against it about five years ago and now just one glass can make me feel queasy. Shame.





Do you think we drink too much as a nation? Do we drink differently to, say, the Italians or folk in Europe in general? Are we more 'northern European' in our drinking habits? If so, why is this?

As a nation I don't think we drink too much, it's just the WAY some people drink, and the way they behave after drinking that can be a problem. Personally, I love getting absolutely pancaked on various drinks but the only thing I wanna do after a skin-full is be everyone's friend, eat some fried food and then sleep. Much like my waking hours, but more stumbly.




Have our drinking habits changed over the years? Do we drink differently now than when we did in the 1970s?

I was born in 1975 so in that decade I was mostly drinking milk. (With the occasional single malt or lager on birthdays and Xmas etc.)




Are folk drinking more at home these days due to cheaper supermarket booze? Is this a bad thing?

Probably. No. I mostly drink at home beacuase my local pub is a dump. I can also choose the music, company and dress code. Thrash metal naturism is one theme I have planned for the Spring. All welcome.




Is pub culture dying off?

Are you looking at my bird? Outside, now!!! No, I don't think it is or ever will die off. Or even greatly change. A trip to any town/city centre on a Fri or Sat night will confirm as much.




What are the best and worst things about drinking?

Best thing? That magic point where you've had just enough to make everything feel warm, light, fun and interesting. Where you make plans that will never come to fruition, forge friendships that can last for years and have adventures that you'd never consider when more, er, mentally coherant.

The worse thing? Well, it can all go a bit pear shaped when you've had a few. And the hangovers can be a little unpleasant.