Cheers!

"They are not a nation of snobs like the English or of extravagant boasters like the Americans or of reckless profligates like the French, they are simply a nation of drunkards." Marcus Clark (1)

It may be a stereotype, it may not be true of all of them, but it is treated as fact: Australians love their drink. As do many other nations, without doubt. But the Aussies are notorious for their beer-drinking feats. They have etiquette for drinking; the rules of a “shout” are to be taken seriously. If you have been shouted (bought) a drink by someone it is your obligation to return the favor. Whether it’s for two people or twenty. There was a time during the convict era when rum was the currency. But let’s not jump to conclusions, a lot has changed. Or has it? Or has the rest of the world just started drinking amounts that now level with those of Australians’ and seem natural. Alcohol related problems exist world-wide, people down under shouldn’t be falsely accused of being “a nation of drunkards”( Marcus Clark). Ex-prime minister Bob Hawke was known for earning his place in the Guinness Book of Records for drinking 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. Which may make him cool, but could raise eyebrows today. All in all, it is surely risky to state that Australians have a tendency to binge on the booze on a regular basis, in my opinion Hungarians are not necessarily the nation I would look up to in this department.