Motoring2 mins ago
Pubs At Motorway Service Stations...
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Chewn - "I regularly drive through France and Spain and stop for fuel and refreshment break on motorways. Although alcohol is available few travellers seem to be drinking it."
But that is because the European approach to alcohol is fundamentally different to the British approach.
I am generalising, but in general cultural approaches to alcohol, the following broad brushstrokes do apply.
Europeans have a drink with a meal because they enjoy a drink.
Britains drink to be drunk - hence the need to consume as much alcohol in as short a time as possible, and the culture that a 'good night out' must enjoy a degree of alcohol poisoning.
European motorists, faced with a motorway pub, would probably ignore the alcohol, Brits will be at it like a rat up a drainpipe.
Remember the nonsensical 'cafe culture' we were going to get with 24-hour opening? What did we get - violence and anti-social behaviour through the roof.
As the Weatherspoons man says, we do not live in a 'nanny state', but we still have to do our best to ensure that the majority of people behave sensibly, and expecting that automatically is simply naiive.
Common sense dictates that anyone driving a car would use a seat belt, but unchecked by law, the majority did not, and would not if the law was repealed.
Similarly, motorcyclists would in a lot of cases eschew a helmet if not legally compelled.
Expecting adult responsible behavour is not the same as getting adult responsible beahviour, so a service station pub is like offering a quick game of Russian Roulette - there are always people who will play.
But that is because the European approach to alcohol is fundamentally different to the British approach.
I am generalising, but in general cultural approaches to alcohol, the following broad brushstrokes do apply.
Europeans have a drink with a meal because they enjoy a drink.
Britains drink to be drunk - hence the need to consume as much alcohol in as short a time as possible, and the culture that a 'good night out' must enjoy a degree of alcohol poisoning.
European motorists, faced with a motorway pub, would probably ignore the alcohol, Brits will be at it like a rat up a drainpipe.
Remember the nonsensical 'cafe culture' we were going to get with 24-hour opening? What did we get - violence and anti-social behaviour through the roof.
As the Weatherspoons man says, we do not live in a 'nanny state', but we still have to do our best to ensure that the majority of people behave sensibly, and expecting that automatically is simply naiive.
Common sense dictates that anyone driving a car would use a seat belt, but unchecked by law, the majority did not, and would not if the law was repealed.
Similarly, motorcyclists would in a lot of cases eschew a helmet if not legally compelled.
Expecting adult responsible behavour is not the same as getting adult responsible beahviour, so a service station pub is like offering a quick game of Russian Roulette - there are always people who will play.
ummmm - "Do some people really find it that hard to resist having a drink?"
Sadly, they do.
Why do people need to drink in theatres, or before boarding planes?
Why do we have to have alcohol at all? i would ban it tomorrow if i could - nasty perncious socially divisive behaviour-disrupting poison that it is!
Sadly, they do.
Why do people need to drink in theatres, or before boarding planes?
Why do we have to have alcohol at all? i would ban it tomorrow if i could - nasty perncious socially divisive behaviour-disrupting poison that it is!
A bad idea of course. In the same way that new pubs should not be built on main roads either (are new pubs built any more?) Motorway service stations are specifically for the comfort and refreshment of drivers and their passengers. The emphasis has always been on comfort in safety. This just adds risk for no discernible extra comfort (especially if you're on a coach with limited toilets!) It's hard to see how this benefits anyone other than Wetherspoon.
As youngmafbog says, the temptation may be too great for some drivers and how long before there's an 'incident' involving football supporters
As youngmafbog says, the temptation may be too great for some drivers and how long before there's an 'incident' involving football supporters
Well, like I say I am not keen on such a development as this, but really, for those of you that disapprove, offering cassandra like predictions of dangerous driving from alcohol fuelled nutters getting blotto at the Weatherspoons and then weaving erratically up the Motorway - Are you also advocating the closure of any pub situated on an A- road? If not, why not?
The Pavesi service stations in Italy, as well as alcohol, have really good food and have bottles of olive oil on every table. Cant really imagine service stations here having good food and olive oil somehow. People can easily leave the motorway and find a pub so why not at a service station. Not everyone will be in the driving seat.
LG, most pubs on A roads are also part of a community and have other ways of getting to them apart from driving. I don't want to see pubs closed. They are important for people and communities.
I don't want to see pubs on motorways though, because the only way to get to them is by driving and some people will be tempted to drink one too many and then drive.
I don't want to see pubs on motorways though, because the only way to get to them is by driving and some people will be tempted to drink one too many and then drive.
ummmm - I think if anyone is a nervous flyer, they should be advised to visit their GP and get 2mg of Tamazipam, which will sort them out straight away.
I admit I am a complete rabid facist where alcohol is concerned - if we really wanted a 'war on drugs' we should start here, but alcohol enjoys the respectability of being woven into the fabric of our culure, which, as we have discovered, is very different from the rest of the world.
I admit I am a complete rabid facist where alcohol is concerned - if we really wanted a 'war on drugs' we should start here, but alcohol enjoys the respectability of being woven into the fabric of our culure, which, as we have discovered, is very different from the rest of the world.
" some people will be tempted to drink one too many and then drive."
Well, I guess time will tell, but I disagree. And if you object to this pub on the grounds of proximity to the motorway because of the possible dangers of mixing motoring with drinking, then logically you have to object to pubs situated on dual carriageways for exactly the same reason. For instance, on one particular 10 mile stretch of the A38 in the Midlands, I can think of at least 3 pubs directly off the dual carriageway that are not part of any local community to speak of.
You will always get some idiots that drink and drive; I cannot see how this Weatherspoons addition is going to materially add to that. I mean, this business of temptation - I drink socially. I also drive.But I do not mix the two - and I can "resist temptation" quite easily, as can the overwhelming majority of motorists, I think.
Well, I guess time will tell, but I disagree. And if you object to this pub on the grounds of proximity to the motorway because of the possible dangers of mixing motoring with drinking, then logically you have to object to pubs situated on dual carriageways for exactly the same reason. For instance, on one particular 10 mile stretch of the A38 in the Midlands, I can think of at least 3 pubs directly off the dual carriageway that are not part of any local community to speak of.
You will always get some idiots that drink and drive; I cannot see how this Weatherspoons addition is going to materially add to that. I mean, this business of temptation - I drink socially. I also drive.But I do not mix the two - and I can "resist temptation" quite easily, as can the overwhelming majority of motorists, I think.
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