Bar
The first word I learned to spell was BAR. My parents were not overjoyed about this, being rare drinkers, no adult I knew went to bars. But riding around Detroit, a small, bored child in the back seat, in the late 60s, I picked up on the most common word, in bright neon no less, shining all around me.
Never a big fan of bars, even after going into a few. Seemed an expensive way to drink, and when driving, not a way for me to partake. E clubs, the Army on base bars, I liked, because they were A. Cheap B. Social and most important, C. A walk from where I had to be after, no car to even consider. This is part of why I still have no taste for cocktails. Beer, shots, or the occasional simple mixed drink was all that was on offer. Starting to drink only after I was of age (ok, the day before I turned 21, but let's not quibble) meant I had no taste for fruity, disguised alcohol.
When D and I started out, I took him to the E club at Ft. Carson, along with everyone else we hung out with. The only social place. Poor guy, never a drinker, still a good Mormon - in action if not conviction, this was a Big Deal. He took it all in, worried what his parents would think - not that he was drinking anything but cola. A shabby band played with a drum machine, but provided mockable entertainment.
His experience of drinkers before that was high school friends whose aim was to get wasted and tell puking stories. He's grown comfortable with my imbibing, because I stay moderate and responsible. Rarely puking.
In Boston, we went to a lot of pubs, and both like the atmosphere. He still detests the taste, never drinks because he just can't get it past his lips.
Says he used to not drink cheap beer, now he doesn't drink a much better class of craft brew. He likes the bottles.
Removed my own stitches. Of course I did. Only two on the outside, several more inside and deep that will stay in. Counting stitches is a meaningless exercise, an irrelevant number. Although my president had his lip stitched up this week as well. Cold sores by the score, still ugly, but improving.
Never a big fan of bars, even after going into a few. Seemed an expensive way to drink, and when driving, not a way for me to partake. E clubs, the Army on base bars, I liked, because they were A. Cheap B. Social and most important, C. A walk from where I had to be after, no car to even consider. This is part of why I still have no taste for cocktails. Beer, shots, or the occasional simple mixed drink was all that was on offer. Starting to drink only after I was of age (ok, the day before I turned 21, but let's not quibble) meant I had no taste for fruity, disguised alcohol.
When D and I started out, I took him to the E club at Ft. Carson, along with everyone else we hung out with. The only social place. Poor guy, never a drinker, still a good Mormon - in action if not conviction, this was a Big Deal. He took it all in, worried what his parents would think - not that he was drinking anything but cola. A shabby band played with a drum machine, but provided mockable entertainment.
His experience of drinkers before that was high school friends whose aim was to get wasted and tell puking stories. He's grown comfortable with my imbibing, because I stay moderate and responsible. Rarely puking.
In Boston, we went to a lot of pubs, and both like the atmosphere. He still detests the taste, never drinks because he just can't get it past his lips.
Says he used to not drink cheap beer, now he doesn't drink a much better class of craft brew. He likes the bottles.
Removed my own stitches. Of course I did. Only two on the outside, several more inside and deep that will stay in. Counting stitches is a meaningless exercise, an irrelevant number. Although my president had his lip stitched up this week as well. Cold sores by the score, still ugly, but improving.
Posted by Zhoen on Saturday, November 27, 2010
7 comments:
I am not sure that I have ever been to a bar -- that is one that is just for drinking. I have had drinks in restaurant bars while waiting for a table, but that's not the same I guess. Just think, I'm almost 79 and have never been inside a bar!
I have been to a few bars, much prefers pubs. A beer garden opened last spring, within walking distance of home. It provides a wonderful spot for meeting friends and having a glass or two & then hauling a growler (2 liter jug) home.
I have read a couple of books on Prohibition and the American attitudes toward drinking. A continuing puzzle to me.
Delayed catch-up on your last few posts. Sorry you slipped and broke your face:) Glad your teeth are intact. That's a heck of an effort to get some attention.
mbick,
If you can order it cheap from Azamon, (ahem, not going to plug a commercial site...)
Intemperance: The Lost War Against Liquor.
Larry Engelman is excellent.
20th,
I'd say that counts. Or you could go to a full on bar, just to say you did.
Er,
Yeah, not working out so well.
Interesting post I stumbled on here,just found your blog! The first word I could read was USA, as in oosaah. My family still gets the giggles when they remember.
We sometimes say it's a good thing we didn't go to pubs much when we lived in England, or we'd really miss them.
French bars are pretty uninviting, though those in larger towns sometimes have a bit more character. Really I think I just grew out of going somewhere just to drink, though the drinking of beer in pints, with conversation, and cigarettes, once had a place in my life. Part of the reason for largely breaking with pubs was to break the association of a drink with a smoke.
But a British country pub, not a restaurant but offering simple and unpretentious food too, and probably an open fire and decent lighting, yes I still miss that rather.
cman,
Welcome.
mbick,
It's very regionally specific.
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