Christmas Parties

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 3

Christmas Parties

Sir, —It is difficult to believe that a letter of such unparalleled silliness as <that of George R. Hides was hot written with tongue in check. But assuming that the writer’s intention wgs serious it may well have the effect of furthering the cause of temperance,, for no responsible adult reading it would associate himself with sentiments only suitable to schoolboy braggadacio. That fine manly boast about “losing count after the eighteenth” would put a junior member of a drinking school on his mettle, and the whole gamut of stupidity embodied in Mr Hides’s letter only throws into relief the immaturity of mind which is such an unfortunate feature of certain alcoholic circles in an otherwise well-behaved and sensible community.—Yours, etc., I.S.T. December 15, 1960.

Sir, —Adults have for too long set an example of dangerous drinking habits and bad manners. Office heads who allow it are not fit to have charge of young people. A balanced person drinks moderately, and he who thinks that several whiskies don’t affect him is unaware that his judgment of people, situations, and speed is unreliable. Young people should observe how the man who drinks whisky every day, and several at a party, grows irritable, conversationally inane, and unpredictable. He’ll be among the last to leave a party if there is anything left in a bottle, and sometimes a bored hostess will have to offer a meal and starve her family. This is a common breach of manners at cocktail parties. When press and traffic department give advice, it is to keep youth alive, healthy, and socially aware. Don’t ignore it—Yours, etc.. ONE GLASS. December 12, 1960.

Sir, —George R. Hides’s letter may be intended as a joke. In case not, some comments. Christmas is intended to celebrate the birth of Christ, but people like Mr Hides and “Fed Up’s” husband celebrate, instead, some pagan festival. “Fed Up’s” description of the days before Christmas, culminating in Christmas Eve, the biggest booze of the year, is only too sadly true for many women. People who get under the influence of alcohol at parties may think they are having a good time, but to anyone in his senses they are either revolting in appearance, smell, and behaviour, or else ludicrous. If people can’t enjoy themselves without the false glow of alcohol, bow poor in personal reao’irces

they are. The idea that a woman drives her husband to drink is too often a cruel lie put about by interested parties.—Yours, etc., COMMENT. December 15, 1960.