Quote:
Originally Posted by sexobon
In other countries where alcohol consumption is accepted, it has often been considered to be in the same category as food and other beverages. There's even been a correlation between the types of alcohol and foods for each region. Here, it's mostly been perceived as a drug (i.e. a recreational pharmaceutical rather than a part of; or, extension of meals). In other countries, alcohol may be administered as a medication and adjunct to treatment in healthcare settings. Here, it's almost never used that way which relegates it to the status of an illicit drug (albeit legal). These differences have been diminishing as changing global socio-economic conditions increase the level of alcohol abuse across the board and others (politicians in particular) find out through cross cultural experience that it's easier to do what we here have always done and stigmatize the substance (alcohol) rather than address the underlying causes for its abuse. These relationships are more apparent to healthcare professionals like wolf who deal in part with the ramifications of these issues.
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hmm.. i'd actually say that israel is moving more towards the american attitude in recent years. the minimum age has being changed from 18 to 21 (to my little sister's despair), and the old jewish rituals of passing the wine now commonly include a "special wine for kids" which is really a glorified and expansive grape-juice in a wine bottle...
i've also read that "drunk and disorderly" charges got someone fired even when they did on their free time (over the weekend), and the court ruled in favor of the employer, so not being allowed to get drunk as a company policy might become more common, apparently its something to do with employee health insurance policies.
still, at least we can still buy beer in the supermarket. in canada it's much worst - you have to go or order from special alcohol licensed stores which usually sell nothing but alcohol. your also not allowed to drink in public (restaurants and bars being the exception).
in america i've noticed it's different from state to state. in Philadelphia you can buy alcohol wherever you want to (and weed... and coke... really i guess i didn't live in the best part of town), while in Washington you need to go to special "alcohol and smokes" store.