At the recent Televisual Factual Festival one of the sessions was all about taking your format to the US. One of the shows being discussed was First Dates. The show depends on participants having a glass or two of wine to ‘lubricate’ the conversation. Much to the Producer’s horror – he discovered that Americans don’t drink on a first date.
At first I thought that was funny, next I thought -yeah I already know that.So I present Mark’s guide to Drinking Etiquette in the US. Don’t take it too seriously but no Americans should read any further!
Attitudes to drinking alcoholic beverages can vary widely across the USA. Drinking patterns that might just be classed as joining in the fun in England could get you fired or even arrested in the US. There is no consistency to this, attitudes can vary widely from state to state and county to county.
Rule number 1 – always find out what the law is where you are filming or visiting. Some rules, like drinking and driving, are pretty much the same the world over but being arrested for drinking from an open container can come as quite a shock.
Rule number 2 – who drinks alcoholic beverages ? well drunks of course! This is quite a profound rule and if you remember it you can navigate around most of the drinking pitfalls you may come across. Negative attitudes to drunks can be pervasive and I’m not talking about being intoxicated here, even one drink can get you classed as a drunk. In some parts of the US, mainly in the South, you can get fired on the spot for even one beverage during work time.
Rule number 3 – even in places where you won’t get fired for one beverage people worry about being classed as a drunk. Many bars have shutters up so you can’t be seen when drinking inside. and people will not go out drinking with you until they are sure how you will judge them. This is why the makers of First Dates were surprised that nobody drinks on a first date – in fact it is true for everyone you meet.
Rule number 4 – all British people are drunks. This attitude can work in your favor, no fear of being classified a drunk as you already are! In parts of the US where drinking is taboo you may present a bit of a risk. So always remember Rule number 2.
Rule number 5 – Should you provide US visitors with the opportunity to go to a pub after work or possibly even at lunchtime? Hell yes! For many Americans being able to drink without shame or fear of being judged is a real and rare treat.