“”””I’ve seen a ton of articles about the decline of alcohol. Young people don’t go to bars. Young people don’t drink wine. Young people don’t drink beer. What has changed?? Such a mystery. So confusing. These articles never seem to find the mysterious cause.””””
The alcohol laws made it impossible to drink, no parties, no bars and nightclubs, no office parties, no cocktail parties and drinks after dinner, no splitting a couple of bottles pf wine on a date, no beers or wine at the beach, no BBQs with beer and cocktails.
I watched cocktail party dinners of friends go from being pleasant and a great bonding and conversation experience well into the night, to everyone eating, tasting a glass of wine or a drink, and then heading home an hour after it was over, alcohol is the great mixer, the great social lubricant, the barrier breaker that leads to song, dance, and camaraderie, the great ice breaker.
Along those lines, I have also seen discussion about the big trend toward drive thru coffee shops. Once upon a time, students (who were too young to go to bars) would get coffee, and sit and chat. It was social. It was pleasant. Gathering with friends around some beverages was how people learned how to socialize.
But now that happens less with coffee. And young people stare at screens, unsure about how this odd “socializing” thing is supposed to happen. These people do not grow up ready for time at cocktail parties or bars. They just go home, stare at another screen, and eat an edible.