Scots’ alcohol habits cause alarm
Many young Scots regularly wake up unable to remember how much they drank the night before, a survey has claimed.
The Scottish Executive poll of 1,000 Scots found 55% of 18 to 24-year-olds fell into this category compared with 27% of all adults questioned.Almost a third of the respondents said they have chosen to drink when they did not want to rather than decline.
Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said all Scots had to “wake up to their attitudes to alcohol and make changes”.
“Over-consumption is storing up huge long-term problems – for the health of individuals and for families and communities,” he said.
Researchers said the poll demonstrated that too few Scots were sticking to recommended alcohol guidelines.
But the Irish bow to nobody:
During the period 1989-2001, Ireland has had the highest increase in alcohol consumption among EU countries.
Can there be any connection with this?
Ireland is the best place to live in the world, according to a “quality of life” assessment by Economist magazine.
The country’s combination of increasing wealth and traditional values gives it the conditions most likely to make its people happy, the survey found.Ireland was followed by Switzerland, Norway and Luxembourg. All but one of the top 10 were European countries.
The USA languished in 13th, while Britain was 29th – the lowest of the pre-expansion EU nations.
In your face, Scotland! Woo hoo!
Hells yeah! I’d love to live in Western Europe about now.
Having lived in Italy—in Bologna, which was beautiful—and having stayed for extended periods of time in many European countries (including Ireland, where I spent a good deal of time in Galway, which I loved) let me tell you: there is absolutely no place in the world I would rather live than the US.
Now, I don’t know how the Economist comes up with its criteria (too lazy to click through just now), but I suspect the size of the US puts it at a great disadvantage, because as we all know, there are numerous cities in this country where the quality of life is downright Hobbesian: nasty, brutal, and short. In fact, while I was at Hopkins I would drive through neighborhoods merely blocks away from the University that were absolutely horrific.
No, give me the US, with its Wal-Marts and its 24 hour stores. European work weeks are shorter for a reason: shit closes down early. Except for discos. And points should be deducted there for the very existence of such things.
When were you in Italy, Jeff? In ‘90, I lived in Perugia and then in Ferrara. Moved yesterday. Don’t know if you saw the Blog of the Day Award, but I got a chuckle out of that (thanks to whoever nominated). Man, am I sore. No internet access at the new place for a bit.
Last time there was a happiness survey, Norway came top of the Suicide table. Still, maybe that’s what makes them happy.
There are parts of the US which are close to paradise, and others which are close to Hell.
I have lived in 11 countries and I would say that the best is England. But it very much depends on the County.
I’m very skeptical of those “best place to live” surveys. There is too much that depends on the individual and what they like to do. I cherish my ten minute drive to work and the affordable housing, but Syracuse is not going to make the top half of anyone’s list.
If they want to rank countries by the quality of their beer, I’m volunteering opinions.
TW: Should have been belch. Must be broken.
Somebody needs to find out if national alcohol consumption is related to the amount of talking the wimminfolk do. Any grant writers in the house?
This is news? Most of us know the Almighty invented drink to keep the Irish from taking over the world. As for the Scots, what else should you do when you live where the scotch is born?
Anyway, it’s a hell of a thing to post on St. Andrew’s Day of all days—way to harsh a mellow, guys. Like I’m gonna worry about this tonight when I put on my Skye kilt and have my Laphroaig.
Well, the Scots are really just the Irish who sobered up first and couldn’t stand the smell so they left and settled in the first place they came to.
When I lived in Rhineland-Pfalz in ‘97 – the Germans sure didn’t seem to darn happy. The Swiss were a bit more sullen than I remembered too.
I wouldn’t trade my little bit of suburbia for anywhere on Earth (or off, Stephen Hawking be damned!)
Squid,
Willing research subject, right here!
“the notoriously low-tax Swiss canton of Zug”
I love that.
“Ulf”? Do Disney characters get to own Disney now?
[Dan Collins]
Could this explain Jim Webb?longer37
I got forced to have an extra one last night. Several times :-)
I spend at least 3 months of the year in Thailand (Phuket at the moment) and can say that it is definitely the best place I have found to live in. Weather, beaches, cost of living…
I always remember how many I have drunk. I also remember how many I had that I shouldn’t have.