DRINKING AT DANCES

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1925, Page 2

DRINKING AT DANCES

“SPOTS” FOR WOMEN,

’ • AUCKLAND, May 21. What 'is colloquially called the "apbtting.” habit among young women is certainly not decreasing, but one; is bound to say—lest many good but inexperienced, and somewhat prejudiced, folk imagine that this means a moral -■>. landslide—that much of it is merely bravado, nothing more than bad showing off? says tlw “Herald- The «•> danger lies in the last that very few girls in this country have grown up in homes where alcoholic beverages ar customarily used at the meals. T. us is emphatically a tea-drinkm o - . L and the chances are a thousand to o that the young women one; sees in hotel lounges sipping cocktails betqre dinner, wine during meals and some . pretty liqueur afterwards, have new drunk anything stronger than tea in their own homes. The probabilities ate that if they! had grown upm households where'alcohol is legtua y used, they would not order cocktails. Most of them know as much about cocktails as the old lamer who having for once in many years come to tow to see his wool sold, was being entertained by a wool broker’s man at a fashionable hotel. Before dinner drinks were suggested, and he allo '™ c . broker’s man to order first. Tin up to-date young man said he would have a gin and a couple of vermouths, lhe , old farmer, not to be outdone, said he , would have a couple of beers and a W Public dances are usually responsible for cases of excessive drinking young women. There is little to check 'it and cases have occurred where a man has found a girl more or less in ; toxicated in his car. Her friend had put her there to save their own miserable faces. It would be unjust to suggest that many men with an intoxicated girl in their party or on then hands would treat her so shamefully, but it is a danger any inexperienced girl who takes intoxicants may run, and not her greatest danger. In discussing a subject of this kma there is alvays the risk of creating an impression that exaggerates.. One must remember that the girls foolish enoug i to take these risks are a small minority. The great majority dance for dancing’s sake. They find it wonderfully good exercise, the opportunity for developing skill is inexhaustible like many men, they know it is atal to physical energy, whether one dance.-, plays football or runs foot races, to use alcohol as a stimulant. Common sense rules it out, yet there is no denying the fact that the freedom youth has now acquired sometimes becomes license. Lots of girls in their teens have accepted false standards of life, as al result, of a long course of moving pictures, and the motor-car has been a strong-factor in banishing, the restiaining influence's or at least in developing a keen appetite for liberty. No means have beeiijound, however, of escaping' the alcoholic headache, and the pangs of the “morning aßer the night before” continue to teach young wonion wisdom.