Indians & Alcohol!

Indiamad · Feb 18th, 2005, 20:35

Was anyone else shocked at just HOW much Indians in Bombay, Pune and Goa are such hardcore drinkers, smokers, partygoers!!

Before I went I was always under the impression that Indians didn't drink alcohol - just slightly misinformed! In Mondy's (Colaba), a group of 4 guys came in one afternoon for about half an hour, when they got up to leave their table was literally overflowing with ciggie packets and beer bottles

, my friend and I were dumbfounded but we soon realised that it was the norm

I meant to do some yoga and meditation while I was there but I almost came back an alcoholic!!

sudheer poppa · Feb 18th, 2005, 20:42

To the extent I can think of, visiting the bar is totally a messy affair in the indian way. I never visit pubs expect for IM meetups

Digital Drifter · Feb 18th, 2005, 21:23

Seems like the title got corrected.

Somehow, I get the feeling that there are very few Indians who 'enjoy' or 'nurse' their drinks. The aim seems to be the equivalent of getting 'wasted', as is the new college slang for getting drunk,real fast?

I don't know why it's more oriented like that but I have seen the same behaviour whether it's a seedy,unlicensed arrack shop or a high class joint.

Maybe the line from Hotel California 'some drink to remember....' best fits their reasons why they do it. But then I'm no shrink & your guess is as good as mine.

Yeah, I've been to those places

machadinha · Feb 18th, 2005, 21:35

It may have to do with drinks being relatively expensive so if you're gonna drink it's more to get sloshed quickly than for social niceties. I had a conversation with a Finnish woman yesterday and the situation in Scandinavia of course isn't so different. It may be psychological in part too, if you're treated as a seedy semi-criminal for drinking you might start behaving that way.

Many Indians do seem to get very drunk very quickly when they drink, I've heard the theory on one than more occasion (from Indians too) that it's to do with their genetic make-up but I don't know how much racism is involved with that idea, it doesn't make much sense to me. My guess would be most people don't drink as regularly as in some other countries so they're just less used to it.

Merchant · Feb 18th, 2005, 21:52

Subcontinental Indians have nothing on their brethren in the Caribbean--now those guys can drink, and they can hold it better than I can. Head to Trinidad or Guyana and you'll see what I mean.

beach · Feb 18th, 2005, 21:54

Gulp,Gulp,Gulp & Gulp.
My 750ml Kingfisher beer is over

This just how the way i was trained

beach · Feb 18th, 2005, 21:56

oops...is this about drinking the drink or holding the drink? ?

gs_uppal · Feb 19th, 2005, 00:01

I disagree with most that has been put about Indians and their drinking habits etc. on this thread.
I can say this being in India throughout and being a drinker for over 14 years am 32 now.
I agree with one thread where it was mentioned that drinks are costly here, yeah, considering the average income it is costly, so there are some people who drink and drink a lot the day they earn good money, but not all are like that.
There are people who go to these arrack shops and are habitual drinkers and their tendency is to fill themselves quickly to get a kick as soon as possible.
And there are people like me who know how to enjoy their drinks, sipping through slowly over some discussions whether it be business related, office related, with friends, relatives or family.
Actually in India their is a wide gap between earnings of the people and each strata of the society (i mean drinkers of each strata) behave differently and that is but natural. You dont have such a varied earnings difference in West as everyone can afford a beer daily (even more in countries like Germany)
And yeah the point about the capacity to drink depends on lots of things incl genetics, habituality/frequency, how u drink, and even your digestive system. People like me can have 8-9 pegs of Smirnoff Vodka and I also know guys who say they dont drink beer because they get drunk in a glass of it.
Just like Westerners cant have as much Chillies as Indians can, so is it that Indians cant have as much drinks as Westerners.
But CHEERS TO ALL DRINKERS AND CHILLIE EATERS who enjoy life while doing both.

Merchant · Feb 19th, 2005, 00:35

Label on a bottle of beer brewed in Tamil Nadu:

WARNING
LIQUOR RUINS
FAMILY
COUNTRY &
LIFE

crvlvr · Feb 19th, 2005, 01:06

Per Capita Alcohol Consumption:

USA - 9.08 ltr/yr
UK - 9.73
Australia - 10.29
India - 1.01

Pakistan - 0.03ltr (just for comparison)

I agree with uppal. Only the afluent can afford to go drinking in bars and these observations don't reflect on the rest of the demographics.

Merchant · Feb 19th, 2005, 01:31

Read Suketu Mehta's "Maximum City: Bombay Lost & Found" for an exploration of the beer hall culture of Mumbai, where poor people, mostly young and often mob-connected, drink plenty.

The brewer of Cobra Beer (now in the UK but started in Bangalore) told the Financial Times recently that he expects India to become one the world's largest beer markets in the next decade, and he quoted cvrlvr's stats.

Uncle Jessie · Feb 19th, 2005, 01:52

Don't know about the rest of India but I'd estimate 85% of the Punjabi guys I know (in India or the West) can drink quite a bit. They probably drink more than they should.

crvlvr · Feb 19th, 2005, 04:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Jessie

Don't know about the rest of India but I'd estimate 85% of the Punjabi guys I know (in India or the West) can drink quite a bit. They probably drink more than they should.

So true! And some punjabi girls can drink too.

machadinha · Feb 19th, 2005, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

Label on a bottle of beer brewed in Tamil Nadu:

WARNING
LIQUOR RUINS
FAMILY
COUNTRY &
LIFE

Yes well Dutch tobacco packets will tell you (among many other nasty things) that you will get not only lung cancer, but LETHAL lung cancer... yikes!

tornado989 · Feb 19th, 2005, 10:24

i think scotch, rum, gin & tonic has always there in indian social circles......the "elite" class of indian drinkers - military officers, govt officers, businessmen have been drinking since 1947 or before! (my grandpa still enjoys two pegs of whiskey every evening watching TV)....it underlines a lifestyle...

... the 'less affluent' people....they got desi daaaru....tarrrra!!!... :-D

Feb 18th, 2005, 20:35	#1
Indiamad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 175	Indians & Alcohol! Was anyone else shocked at just HOW much Indians in Bombay, Pune and Goa are such hardcore drinkers, smokers, partygoers!! Before I went I was always under the impression that Indians didn't drink alcohol - just slightly misinformed! In Mondy's (Colaba), a group of 4 guys came in one afternoon for about half an hour, when they got up to leave their table was literally overflowing with ciggie packets and beer bottles , my friend and I were dumbfounded but we soon realised that it was the norm I meant to do some yoga and meditation while I was there but I almost came back an alcoholic!! Last edited by Indiamad : Feb 21st, 2005 at 23:11.

Feb 18th, 2005, 20:42	#2
sudheer poppa Senior brick in the wall Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pole Posts: 1,475	To the extent I can think of, visiting the bar is totally a messy affair in the indian way. I never visit pubs expect for IM meetups __________________ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools - MLK Pic Page 1 Pic Page 2 When my life changed over a week Last edited by sudheer poppa : Feb 19th, 2005 at 01:13.

Feb 18th, 2005, 21:35	#4
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 11,131	It may have to do with drinks being relatively expensive so if you're gonna drink it's more to get sloshed quickly than for social niceties. I had a conversation with a Finnish woman yesterday and the situation in Scandinavia of course isn't so different. It may be psychological in part too, if you're treated as a seedy semi-criminal for drinking you might start behaving that way. Many Indians do seem to get very drunk very quickly when they drink, I've heard the theory on one than more occasion (from Indians too) that it's to do with their genetic make-up but I don't know how much racism is involved with that idea, it doesn't make much sense to me. My guess would be most people don't drink as regularly as in some other countries so they're just less used to it. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Feb 18th, 2005, 21:23	#3
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,878	Seems like the title got corrected. Somehow, I get the feeling that there are very few Indians who 'enjoy' or 'nurse' their drinks. The aim seems to be the equivalent of getting 'wasted', as is the new college slang for getting drunk,real fast? I don't know why it's more oriented like that but I have seen the same behaviour whether it's a seedy,unlicensed arrack shop or a high class joint. Maybe the line from Hotel California 'some drink to remember....' best fits their reasons why they do it. But then I'm no shrink & your guess is as good as mine. Yeah, I've been to those places

Feb 18th, 2005, 21:52	#5
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Subcontinental Indians have nothing on their brethren in the Caribbean--now those guys can drink, and they can hold it better than I can. Head to Trinidad or Guyana and you'll see what I mean.

Feb 18th, 2005, 21:54	#6
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,234	Gulp,Gulp,Gulp & Gulp. My 750ml Kingfisher beer is over This just how the way i was trained

Feb 18th, 2005, 21:56	#7
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,234	oops...is this about drinking the drink or holding the drink? ?

Feb 19th, 2005, 00:01	#8
gs_uppal Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 392	I disagree with most that has been put about Indians and their drinking habits etc. on this thread. I can say this being in India throughout and being a drinker for over 14 years am 32 now. I agree with one thread where it was mentioned that drinks are costly here, yeah, considering the average income it is costly, so there are some people who drink and drink a lot the day they earn good money, but not all are like that. There are people who go to these arrack shops and are habitual drinkers and their tendency is to fill themselves quickly to get a kick as soon as possible. And there are people like me who know how to enjoy their drinks, sipping through slowly over some discussions whether it be business related, office related, with friends, relatives or family. Actually in India their is a wide gap between earnings of the people and each strata of the society (i mean drinkers of each strata) behave differently and that is but natural. You dont have such a varied earnings difference in West as everyone can afford a beer daily (even more in countries like Germany) And yeah the point about the capacity to drink depends on lots of things incl genetics, habituality/frequency, how u drink, and even your digestive system. People like me can have 8-9 pegs of Smirnoff Vodka and I also know guys who say they dont drink beer because they get drunk in a glass of it. Just like Westerners cant have as much Chillies as Indians can, so is it that Indians cant have as much drinks as Westerners. But CHEERS TO ALL DRINKERS AND CHILLIE EATERS who enjoy life while doing both.

Feb 19th, 2005, 00:35	#9
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Label on a bottle of beer brewed in Tamil Nadu: WARNING LIQUOR RUINS FAMILY COUNTRY & LIFE

Feb 19th, 2005, 01:06	#10
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,509	Per Capita Alcohol Consumption: USA - 9.08 ltr/yr UK - 9.73 Australia - 10.29 India - 1.01 Pakistan - 0.03ltr (just for comparison) I agree with uppal. Only the afluent can afford to go drinking in bars and these observations don't reflect on the rest of the demographics.

Feb 19th, 2005, 01:31	#11
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Read Suketu Mehta's "Maximum City: Bombay Lost & Found" for an exploration of the beer hall culture of Mumbai, where poor people, mostly young and often mob-connected, drink plenty. The brewer of Cobra Beer (now in the UK but started in Bangalore) told the Financial Times recently that he expects India to become one the world's largest beer markets in the next decade, and he quoted cvrlvr's stats.

Feb 19th, 2005, 01:52	#12
Uncle Jessie Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13	Don't know about the rest of India but I'd estimate 85% of the Punjabi guys I know (in India or the West) can drink quite a bit. They probably drink more than they should.

Feb 19th, 2005, 10:24	#15
tornado989 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 222	i think scotch, rum, gin & tonic has always there in indian social circles......the "elite" class of indian drinkers - military officers, govt officers, businessmen have been drinking since 1947 or before! (my grandpa still enjoys two pegs of whiskey every evening watching TV)....it underlines a lifestyle... ... the 'less affluent' people....they got desi daaaru....tarrrra!!!... :-D

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