What are English Pubs?
English pubs are a form of community gathering place. Once one looks past their preconceptions about what a pub might be, at its core it fulfills a necessary role in the community life of England. Being what some refer to as an “outside space,” a pub works as a home away from home of sorts that allows for people to come together and interact outside of work or the host/guest roles that occur when inviting someone to one’s own house. A pub in the most simplest of terms is a place to go have a drink with your friends while you have a football game in the background and sing songs of merriment.
My Thoughts?
I truly felt like I found a community that I at this point in my university career I had not found yet. Through the enjoyment of a little alcohol without the fear of having to drive home I was allowed the chance to really open up and have my friends open up around me. Some of my happiest moments were at the pub with my friends after a rehearsal. On top of that pubs gave way to some of the most interesting discussions I have had, as when people are drunk they appear to be a little more receptive to discussing existential ideas. It honestly kind of disappoints me we don’t really have anything like that over in the States, as the only real options are work and houses here. The closest we have are coffee shops, but even then it does not allow for the freedom of thought pubs can bring.
From the Perspective of an English person?
Pubs are a part of daily life, after a long day of work one would go to the pub, get hammered, go into work hung over, and then go back to the pub after. It sounds like a joke about alcoholism, but in reality that is just how pub life is. Pubs play such an integral part in UK life that the drinking age is only 18, so it is pretty much just seen as part of being an adult. In fact for the most part, alcohol at pubs are the cheapest drinks you can get, cheaper than even a cup of water. On top of that it drives a large part of the commercial/food industry within places like London for both tourists and locals.
Take Away?
Honestly, the most important take away from this is how necessary “outside spaces” are, and this goes for more than just pubs. Parks, pubs, recreational centers, all spaces that fulfil this role of areas that encourage community engagement that the U.S. are lacking. A recent study has shown that people of my generation are migrating to different countries on mass due to a lack of a community feeling. My generation is finding this community online, and when we finally get to the point where we can, we go to where our online friends are which more often than not is in another country. I for one will probably be moving back to England as soon as I am done with my bachelor’s as I have found a community that in three months did what the U.S. has not been able to do in four years, give me community.