FREE-FLOWING ALCOHOL IN THE UK

Having just turned 20 this past month, I now understand why so many people continue to tell me that they consider their 20th year to be their “worst birthday.” Year 16 means a license and, therefore, a sense of freedom, while year 18 means the responsibilities of adulthood. According to my sister, year 20 simply means 365 more days until you can drink. The saying, “So close, yet so far away”, definitely comes to mind.

Luckily for me, this is not the case in London or Paris. Being one of the youngest members of the Global Media Initiative, the 18 and over legal drinking age enforced in these two countries is certainly an additional perk. I was aware of the lower drinking age before departing on our trip, yet I was still shocked at the extent of their leniency when it comes to the availability of alcohol.

My first surprise came during our ten-hour flight between SFO and Heathrow. When giving us the options of chicken or beef for our dinner meal, they also gave us the option of red or white wine. Now, I know alcohol on flights is not uncommon, but the fact that they offered it openly without checking IDs, seemed a little more lenient than most U.S. airlines.

My second, and biggest, surprise came when I decided to search for a late night snack on our first night staying at our hotel in London. Not only did I find a vending machine full of sweet and salty treats, but I also found a wide range of beverages. Right below the packs of Twix candy bars and chips, were a couple rows of canned beer, available for anyone to take!

I’m not much of a beer or wine girl myself, so I didn’t take advantage of these particular situations, but it has been a unique experience discovering how other countries view the consumption of alcohol. From vending machines full of beer to bars and clubs letting me in without even asking to see an ID, I have decided that the United Kingdom has a much more lenient policy when it comes to alcohol.

Katrina Kane
Photographer
Photojournalism