Well Algarve Resident, I thought I was going into the realms of fantasy when I read the news recently on the alterations to laws pertaining to drinking alcohol.
Who thinks up these crazy ideas? Overpaid, underworked suits in the city who cannot put a logical thought into practice.
So, having had that grump let’s go back to the latest bit of nonsense – you can drink certain things when you are 16 and others when you are 18.
I have a couple of good friends, both of whom have retired to the Algarve. When I showed them the article in your illustrious paper they both stated that they were glad they were not in the ‘pub’ trade here.
In the UK publicans are frequently being fined for serving underage drinkers – usually of the female variety. Have you ever tried to guess the age of a female? Guess the age too high and they get upset and offended – too low they get upset and offended.
But seriously, I see ‘girls’ coming out of school, who could easily pass for 25 years old or more. How are those serving in bars supposed to know whether a young lady is old enough to drink beer or whether she can drink a spirit?
Yes, you are right, they can ask to see identification, but is that going to happen? Maybe when the bar is not busy and the bar tender can be bothered. But come the summer, when tourists mingle with residents and the bars are full, this law stands no chance of working.
And, of course, the smart cookies will send their legally-aged friend to buy the Jack Daniels or Gin and Tonic, which could then be imbibed on the bar’s patio or outside area, probably out of the view of the licencee. Does the bar tender know, or care, who which drink was being bought for? We all know the answer to that! According to this crazy piece of legislation, he should but he may not always take the time to find out.
So this is another piece of legislation which has cost Mr & Mrs Average taxpayer and which is doomed to failure. Licencees will be fined or lose their livelihood and underage drinkers may see it as a challenge to drink the type of alcohol they are not legally allowed to drink.
Well done to the government on this crass piece of legislation – the cost would have been better spent on advice and education on drinking alcohol and its affects on health.
Or am I just being Grumpy?
Do you have a view on this subject? Email news@algarveresident.com
