British Traditions Surrounding Drinks And British Pub Culture

Regarding British traditions surrounding drinks and beverages, the two major concepts covering said traditions are British afternoon tea culture and British pub culture. Both are centered around British drinks and beverages, but exceed just the physical evidence of British culture and help define the ups-and-downs and overall shape of British trends and preferences in the scope of an entire society.
A tradition widely believed to be started by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, afternoon tea, or “high tea” for the upper class, was meant to fill in the empty time (and stomachs) from the original British pattern of eating only breakfast and dinner (Johnson). While British teatime is less common in modern culture, it can still be enjoyed as a …show more content…
The general aura, passed down from years of enjoyment by upper-class society women, exudes a fanciful vibe and is one of the few formal pastimes enjoyed by people of all ages. The interest of not only modern British people but also those of people around the world are able to have for this traditional British activity contributes to the argument that beverage consumption and the culture surrounding it is a major and interesting part of the British way as a whole. To be able to see how this old custom has spawned a whole new industry of themed parties and social recreation is truly a representation of the versatility that British beverage culture can have in adapting to be able to be enjoyed by different countries and their people as well.
Contrasting with the environment of decorum in afternoon tea, British pub and drinking culture demonstrates the less polished, more casual side of English social lives. The root of their drinking culture begins in the adolescent years. In comparison to American drinking culture, teen drinking is much less stigmatized and criminalized in Britain than in the United States (Kaplan/Palmer). Thus, a general attitude of proving superiority by holding more liquor is more common in British youth and pushes along the peer pressure that may come with alcohol consumption that is …show more content…
The pub to the British people are as the bar to the Americans, and many similarities are shared across the two settings for alcoholic beverage consumption. Both have the concepts of discussion and conversation built into them, whether it be over sports or politics. Though, in America the bar scene has slightly evolved into a more alternative setting for the stereotypically “tougher” members of society. American bars are often associated with motor bike gangs, strong male presences, and such characters as portrayed in popular media depictions. Whereas the British pub seems to be open and welcome to all sorts of people of different backgrounds, and the main shared interest is over the alcohol being consumed