The culture of alcohol !

Why do we need drinking alcohol ? To make our life easier, to escape from our daily problems or just to have fun and enjoy the moments shared with the family or friends. Obviously, all of these reasons. Indeed, for centuries, whatever the country, drinking is a part of our way of life. But then why here, in Ireland, it looks so special ?
There is a famous Simpson's episode in which Homer and his family decide to come in Ireland in order to visit the country. And, as they are landing, Homer has a talk with Marthe, his wife, and is explaining her that it's not true Irish drink so much. But, just at this moment, through the porthole, you see the ground recovered of thousands cans of beer. That's the point ; because when you think about that, wherever in the world, if someone ask you to describe this country, generally speaking, you will use only a few words which are music, cliffes, friendly and... alcool ! Here, basically, you drink to get drunk. When you go out, it's like a target you have to reach... before pubs close.
Wondering, you understand something extremely important. This people has suffered a lot in their history, mainly because of the England behaviour : famine, unemployment involving woes and poverty. And walking on the street, although for a couple of years the social and economy situation improved a lot, you still can see this "heritage" through the alcoholism which is really common even if things are changing. Now, drinking from my point of view got an other meaning. You know, it's like a revenge for them. No more poverty ! They are rich and they want to consume their life because they don't know what tomorrow will look like...

M. De Theache