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

A lovely thing happened down at 'The Garage' slate club (one of the less reputable drinking establishments in Casablanca)the other night.

Mohammed-the-Bar dutifully locked up the premises at 10:30 pm, omitting to notice that Ahmed-the-Alkie had drunk himself into a stupor and was fast asleep under a table in the far corner of the bar.

When Mohammed arrived to open up at 8:30 in the morning he was a little surprised to find that the lights were on and even more surprised to find Ahmed completely comatose, lying ON the bar having drunk the contents of nearly all the bottles of spirits.

To give Mohammed-the-Bar his due, he did call an ambulance and Ahmed-the-Alkie was 'stomach-pumped' and lives to argue the toss as to whether he is legally liable for what he drank.

something you'd expect in a carry on film
we had a local err drunk years ago, barred in every pub in two townsdidn't stop him though

Yes - when I used to live in West Devon, there were two lads who were banned from every pub within a fifteen mile radius.

there are more than ever now here, one that used a pub near me was officially classed as alcoholic and the powers that be, found it cheaper to give him a booklet with tokens in, so he could have 1 drink per token = £40 per week in the local, than to keep sending him for drying out

nice when you can get it

There is a strange thing about trains in India. It is illegal to drink alcohol on them. However, if you have a doctor's certificate to say that you are an alcoholic, you can drink as much as you like!

What an interesting scheme (both in the UK and India).

I've never heard of such a thing before. Here, if you're ill, they make you PAY money, not give you any.

Actually the pubs here are interesting. Technically the locals (Muslims) are not allowed in them (or to buy alcohol in any of the offies). The result is that there is very little trouble as, if there is, the pub is closed immediately.

However, there is something even stranger. Half of the pubs have small booths where one can place bets on the gee-gees (in France) and a very good business they do too. During Ramadan (and other religious holidays) all the pubs and offies close EXCEPT the ones which are also betting shops, which remain open, although they stop selling booze.

According to the Holy Koran, betting is more 'haram' (forbidden) than drinking alcohol!

Does the government earn on alcohol and bets?

Most certainly. The Moroccan wine industry is both large and thriving - you don't see much exported because (as I was told), 'Moroccans drink it all'. Beer is brewed locally as well but virtually all spirits are imported.