With the exception of those with jobs where sobriety is essential, there is nothing wrong with a beer at lunchtime in moderation. Especially on a Friday, the missus used to work for HSBC and the best team building was done on a Friday lunchtime in the pub ( and then often after work too ). That is no longer allowed by those invisible people in ivory towers and those that still work there say it is much the poorer for it.
My first job in publishing the office went out most days, generally to the pub, 2 of the blokes loved real ale, which I was not into at that time. Friday's were always good, always at least a 2 hour session, had to be careful with the scalpel mind you doing paste up? Then worked at IPC and bigger companies and the type reps took you out for a good drink, which sometimes meant going to a club ( in the middle of the afternoon) But the complete piss take were the papers. The FT everyday at 12.30 till 1.30 at the bar, swift serious stuff..... Yes it was over the top, and yes I took advantage. In justification no overtime, and you stayed till the work was done, although I did go awol a couple of times?...... of course it was always strictly business. Some of the woman editors I worked with had a serious drink problem, think Fleet street was known for it.......
My first job in publishing the office went out most days, generally to the pub, 2 of the blokes loved real ale, which I was not into at that time. Friday's were always good, always at least a 2 hour session, had to be careful with the scalpel mind you doing paste up? Then worked at IPC and bigger companies and the type reps took you out for a good drink, which sometimes meant going to a club ( in the middle of the afternoon) But the complete piss take were the papers. The FT everyday at 12.30 till 1.30 at the bar, swift serious stuff..... Yes it was over the top, and yes I took advantage. In justification no overtime, and you stayed till the work was done, although I did go awol a couple of times?...... of course it was always strictly business. Some of the woman editors I worked with had a serious drink problem, think Fleet street was known for it.......
Those brief lunches in El Vino! No FT - No Comment! Lovely post from you recently, Ken: 'Spoonful', by the best band, ever. Clapton said recently that no-one else could have thought of playing 'Sunshine Of Your Love' in the way Ginger did - the song is in a perfectly simple 4/4, yet Ginger chose to beat it diametrically opposite to the natural order. That's why it excites, enthrals, and stiffens the sinews. Ginger Baker is God - after Killer Hales, of course!
It has hard to phathom how much things have changed. When i did my work experience as a 15yr old, i'd get taken to lunch most days by my supervisor for 2 pints of Kronie. The only change in routine i could work out there was, was that if he didn't have me to chaperone, it would have been a strip pub.
When i started work as a 16yr old 20 years ago, my work had two subsidised bars, one like a traditional pub, the other like a sit down wine bar. Both did a roaring trade.
20 years ago it was the norm to go and have a couple of pints at lunchtime, a bit of a session on a Friday. A tea break mid-morning and a coffee break mid-afternoon was also part of the routine in most offices.
10 years ago the bars had gone, as had the breaks, a Friday drink up was still pretty rife and possibly another during the week. All leaving drinks would have a lunchtime session.
Now, I would say on an average day, much less than 1% will be having a drink at lunchtime. Any drinking is probably restricted to a Friday, but it is certain not a routine any more. I'd probably have a drink at lunchtime 10 times over the course of a year, 3-4 of those will be the days around xmas, 2-3 others will be 'team lunch'.
You been on the sauce AFKA?
Back in the 80's worked in a dealing room for a major bank, where 2 and 3 hour lunches were the norm, normally funded by the brokers. Once the books were squared, then it was back down the pub until it was time to go home. Seemed to be the culture of the day. Mainly in the Jamaica Inn near Leadenhall Street, the' jam pot' as it was known before the white powder brigade started frequenting it.
Occasionally we would wander over London Bridge to the pubs in the market, one had a pool table right up the top, The Swan I think it was, or down to Brown's at Shoreditch for the lunchtime 'entertainment' and then a black cab back to Gracechurch Street.
Different culture nowadays. Don't drink anymore myself, but few people seem to go to the pub, and those that do get 'the look' when they get back. How times have changed.
Did you go to Beckys Bar at the market? 130 different beers and you had to piss down a flight of stairs !!
Was a junior print rep in the 70's. Was taken to the pub most days by the older reps and usually ended up in the Capricorn or Bojaks in Goodge Street. Couldn't drink like them but still drove the Ford Escort back to St Pauls Cray in the evening, until I got caught in 1980. Happy Days.....
It has hard to phathom how much things have changed. When i did my work experience as a 15yr old, i'd get taken to lunch most days by my supervisor for 2 pints of Kronie. The only change in routine i could work out there was, was that if he didn't have me to chaperone, it would have been a strip pub.
When i started work as a 16yr old 20 years ago, my work had two subsidised bars, one like a traditional pub, the other like a sit down wine bar. Both did a roaring trade.
20 years ago it was the norm to go and have a couple of pints at lunchtime, a bit of a session on a Friday. A tea break mid-morning and a coffee break mid-afternoon was also part of the routine in most offices.
10 years ago the bars had gone, as had the breaks, a Friday drink up was still pretty rife and possibly another during the week. All leaving drinks would have a lunchtime session.
Now, I would say on an average day, much less than 1% will be having a drink at lunchtime. Any drinking is probably restricted to a Friday, but it is certain not a routine any more. I'd probably have a drink at lunchtime 10 times over the course of a year, 3-4 of those will be the days around xmas, 2-3 others will be 'team lunch'.
You been on the sauce AFKA?
Back in the 80's worked in a dealing room for a major bank, where 2 and 3 hour lunches were the norm, normally funded by the brokers. Once the books were squared, then it was back down the pub until it was time to go home. Seemed to be the culture of the day. Mainly in the Jamaica Inn near Leadenhall Street, the' jam pot' as it was known before the white powder brigade started frequenting it.
Occasionally we would wander over London Bridge to the pubs in the market, one had a pool table right up the top, The Swan I think it was, or down to Brown's at Shoreditch for the lunchtime 'entertainment' and then a black cab back to Gracechurch Street.
Different culture nowadays. Don't drink anymore myself, but few people seem to go to the pub, and those that do get 'the look' when they get back. How times have changed.
Did you go to Beckys Bar at the market? 130 different beers and you had to piss down a flight of stairs !!
Ah yes, now you are taking me back, Masicat. Becky's Dive Bar - beneath he Hop Exchange in Southwark Street. Thursday nights - Draught Bass and Ruddle's County - and Fifties hits on vinyl...
It has hard to phathom how much things have changed. When i did my work experience as a 15yr old, i'd get taken to lunch most days by my supervisor for 2 pints of Kronie. The only change in routine i could work out there was, was that if he didn't have me to chaperone, it would have been a strip pub.
When i started work as a 16yr old 20 years ago, my work had two subsidised bars, one like a traditional pub, the other like a sit down wine bar. Both did a roaring trade.
20 years ago it was the norm to go and have a couple of pints at lunchtime, a bit of a session on a Friday. A tea break mid-morning and a coffee break mid-afternoon was also part of the routine in most offices.
10 years ago the bars had gone, as had the breaks, a Friday drink up was still pretty rife and possibly another during the week. All leaving drinks would have a lunchtime session.
Now, I would say on an average day, much less than 1% will be having a drink at lunchtime. Any drinking is probably restricted to a Friday, but it is certain not a routine any more. I'd probably have a drink at lunchtime 10 times over the course of a year, 3-4 of those will be the days around xmas, 2-3 others will be 'team lunch'.
You been on the sauce AFKA?
Back in the 80's worked in a dealing room for a major bank, where 2 and 3 hour lunches were the norm, normally funded by the brokers. Once the books were squared, then it was back down the pub until it was time to go home. Seemed to be the culture of the day. Mainly in the Jamaica Inn near Leadenhall Street, the' jam pot' as it was known before the white powder brigade started frequenting it.
Occasionally we would wander over London Bridge to the pubs in the market, one had a pool table right up the top, The Swan I think it was, or down to Brown's at Shoreditch for the lunchtime 'entertainment' and then a black cab back to Gracechurch Street.
Different culture nowadays. Don't drink anymore myself, but few people seem to go to the pub, and those that do get 'the look' when they get back. How times have changed.
Did you go to Beckys Bar at the market? 130 different beers and you had to piss down a flight of stairs !!
Ah yes, now you are taking me back, Masicat. Becky's Dive Bar - beneath he Hop Exchange in Southwark Street. Thursday nights - Draught Bass and Ruddle's County - and Fifties hits on vinyl...
Used to go there with a crowd from MMWM , Southwark Computers, think it was Thursday nights. She was a legend !!
I used to work in an aircraft assembly factory in Hatfield (long gone I'm afraid) and it wasn't unusual for rivetters etc to put in a Friday pm shift with 4-6 pints on board. Surprised a few haven't dropped out of the sky to be honest
I used to work in an aircraft assembly factory in Hatfield (long gone I'm afraid) and it wasn't unusual for rivetters etc to put in a Friday pm shift with 4-6 pints on board. Surprised a few haven't dropped out of the sky to be honest
I will have to keep an eye out for that on Air Crash Investigation!
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Garbage - everyone knows good business gets done on a Friday afternoon. Fact.
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Garbage - everyone knows good business gets done on a Friday afternoon. Fact.
Did you get a lot of business done this afternoon?
The Americans i work for could never get over how packed the bars were at lunch. My boss always commented on it, back in 2000 when he first started here. I definitely blame them.. tho in the legal field or definitely the firms i worked for its never really been a done thing.
Lived in the States for a bit, wife was working in Manhatten, certainly wasn't a drinking culture there at all, though the expats would meet up for a drink a couple of nights a week.....but never at lunchtime.
I was with BR from the mid 80s.On the platform at Plumstead and a few pints in the Lord Derby or the Rose & Crown,or the eight pubs on the high street for the Friday pub crawl always back to work, some times with the Gaffer if he could join us! As a Drivers mate and a young Driver beer at work was an every day occurrence.It was not unusual for the punters on certain lines to buy you a pint before the off on certain lines.It was clobbered in the very early 90s after they opened the grade and the standard of blokes dropped, a few mishaps crept in with and without drink and testing was introduced and that was that!
I was with BR from the mid 80s.On the platform at Plumstead and a few pints in the Lord Derby or the Rose & Crown,or the eight pubs on the high street for the Friday pub crawl always back to work, some times with the Gaffer if he could join us! As a Drivers mate and a young Driver beer at work was an every day occurrence.It was not unusual for the punters on certain lines to buy you a pint before the off on certain lines.It was clobbered in the very early 90s after they opened the grade and the standard of blokes dropped, a few mishaps crept in with and without drink and testing was introduced and that was that!
It's a bit different though if you're responsible for others safety - wasn't the driver at Hither Green plastered? Sorry, not trying to be all Judge Mental, just don't think I would have done it as a train driver like I used to as a pen pusher
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Garbage - everyone knows good business gets done on a Friday afternoon. Fact.
Far from garbage that story is fact, but you carry on boozing and miss the train home.
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Garbage - everyone knows good business gets done on a Friday afternoon. Fact.
Far from garbage that story is fact, but you carry on boozing and miss the train home.
He always gets a cab home back to his mansion in Beckenham.
At the risk of sounding like a boring old fart these accounts make it seem easier than ever to understand how the rest of the world (Japan and Germany in particular) managed to achieve productivity levels that we never could. If you assume that three or four pints at lunch (and I've done this a few times) makes the afternoon a giggle fest with little or no work being done we (as a nation) were working two and a half days a week when our competition was working five.
All the finger pointing at successive Governments about where our manufacturing industry went is clearly misjudged. It would seem that it went down the pub (or company subsidised bar) for lunch.
For the record I'm not criticising it, but I agree with those that are staggered at how people got away with it.
In my youth I worked for an educational publishers, my job was to calculate how much paper was needed for a print run, very simple really, sadly my boss was a real ale fan and decided I needed educating, we spent most lunchtimes (2 hours) in a local pub, until one Friday where we spent about 4 hours drinking various ales, i staggered back to the office in the knowledge i had to order paper for a 10,000 copy print run, as a result of the ale i ordered enough for 100,000 and was sacked as son as it was discovered. Can't drink during the day now, after 11 pint I need a kip
I went to Woolwich tech in 89-91 as an apprentice fitter and turner. There was a pub right next door that we went into every lunchtime for a mixed grill and 3/4 pints. Then went back into college and operated lathes and milling machines with little experience or knowledge. Amazingly no one ever got hurt.
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Garbage - everyone knows good business gets done on a Friday afternoon. Fact.
Far from garbage that story is fact, but you carry on boozing and miss the train home.
He always gets a cab home back to his mansion in Beckenham.
Many years ago my Father-in-law gave me some advice when negotiating in business, he said drink tonic water let them assume you are boozing as alcohol will eventually guide you to say yes to everything while your judgement becomes impaired.
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Garbage - everyone knows good business gets done on a Friday afternoon. Fact.
Far from garbage that story is fact, but you carry on boozing and miss the train home.
Top advice - thanks for that mr C. I will most definitely carry on boozing. Not missed a train home for donkeys years.
Comments
Friday's were always good, always at least a 2 hour session, had to be careful with the scalpel mind you doing paste up?
Then worked at IPC and bigger companies and the type reps took you out for a good drink, which sometimes meant going to a club ( in the middle of the afternoon)
But the complete piss take were the papers. The FT everyday at 12.30 till 1.30 at the bar, swift serious stuff..... Yes it was over the top, and yes I took advantage.
In justification no overtime, and you stayed till the work was done, although I did go awol a couple of times?...... of course it was always strictly business.
Some of the woman editors I worked with had a serious drink problem, think Fleet street was known for it.......
Drink driving is a perfect example you are not in total control of your actions.
This proved to be some of the best career advice I have ever had and actually saved me investing in a venture that was certain to fail and fall back into the hands of the businessman selling.
He got drunk and I didn't.
Your card is now marked on here :-)
Sorry, not trying to be all Judge Mental, just don't think I would have done it as a train driver like I used to as a pen pusher
Far from garbage that story is fact, but you carry on boozing and miss the train home.
All the finger pointing at successive Governments about where our manufacturing industry went is clearly misjudged. It would seem that it went down the pub (or company subsidised bar) for lunch.
For the record I'm not criticising it, but I agree with those that are staggered at how people got away with it.
Can't drink during the day now, after 11 pint I need a kip
I almost wish i was at work so I could go down the pub all afternoon!