"You can save face when you drink a cup", "You can't get the atmosphere without drinking", "I feel stuffy when you feel deeply", etc. These are the words that Chinese people often use when persuading people to drink at festive banquets. , France, which is world-renowned for its wine, also has a very strong "drinking culture", and even President Macron has promoted his "greedy cup" in a high-profile manner. Having lived in France for many years, the author is well aware that although he will not force others to drink, in France, which is deeply influenced by the wine culture, people who do not like to drink are often "under a lot of pressure". Therefore, some people pretend to drink to avoid embarrassment, and many people reflect on the drawbacks of "alcoholic social culture".
Refusal to drink is easy to "social death"
Drinking wine at dinner, drinking aperitifs before meals and small gatherings, drinking wine after meals, enjoying champagne at festivals and important events, it is no exaggeration to say that the French have a "smell of alcohol" in their daily life. However, "Le Figaro" recently published an article with the title "How non-drinkers can resist the social pressure of alcohol", seriously discussing the French people's thinking about "alcoholic socialization".
Sandra, 72, said she had never had a happy drink. - In order not to be "killed by the society", she was forced to take a few sips, "I will order a glass of wine and pretend to be drinking all the time, so as not to explain to the person who persuades the drinker. Otherwise, I will be too tired." In the environment where drinking is labeled as "French life", many French people feel the same way as Sandra. "Tell others not to drink, and the atmosphere will suddenly become awkward. Everyone present was very surprised and asked why", France A reporter from Laogou, a friend, said, "If you say you don't like the taste of wine, no one will believe it. Everyone looks at you with sympathy, as if you are sick."
Sociologist Gaussau believes that wine is considered part of French culture. So "no drinker for whatever reason requires an explanation. Because intoxication can lead to gaffe, nondrinkers are also seen as having a bad personality or having a secret to hide." "In France, refusing to drink is considered abnormal, because it violates social norms and can be ridiculed and ostracized in a group," explained Romanague, a Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of Aix-Marseille. Gendarmerie Raphael was excluded for not drinking. Because the gendarmerie's workplace is "a group of men drinking beer while hooking their shoulders", Raphael mocked himself and said that "not drinking has challenged his masculinity."
"Le Figaro" then said that socializing with the French and not drinking seems to be a doomed struggle, because there seems to be an insurmountable gap between those who drink and those who don't.
Macron wins award for "greed cup"
The French like to drink and take pride in it. This tradition not only has a solid foundation among the people, but even the head of state will "persuade the people to drink".
In addition to Sarkozy who does not like to drink wine, successive French presidents such as Charles de Gaulle, Destin, Mitterrand, Chirac and Hollande are all called "wine industry masters". "Le Monde" also specifically analyzed their taste preferences, pointing out that heads of state sometimes need to find a balance between reason and defending culture. At the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Hollande auctioned off part of the collection of the Elysee official wine cellar. It is said that he likes all types and types of wines. The auction of the collection is to raise funds to purchase wines from more origins and tastes.
The president's love of wine led the public to follow suit, and Macron even won an award for his "greedy cup". For "systematically defending French wine", Macron was awarded the "Person of the Year 2022" by the French Wine Magazine in January this year. Macron has never been stingy in expressing his love for Portuguese wine in public. Before running for the presidency, he said that "I was raised by my grandparents, and I received an education that drinking wine makes you young, not a sin." At the first agricultural exhibition as president, Macron defied expert advice (a maximum of one glass of wine a day) and declared, "I must drink wine every day for lunch and dinner." The president's remarks are tantamount to "persuading people to drink alcohol" by publicly exposing himself to "greeting for cups", which has attracted criticism from many parties. In addition, Macron did not tighten the Evan Act, which restricts advertising of alcoholic beverages, during his tenure. He said: "As long as I am the president, there will be no (alcohol restriction) amendments." Buzan, the then health minister, and several health experts reiterated that "dedicated to the «» or the gingival giant.
"January No Wine Month"
French bars have kept the tradition of "Thursday specials" in a bid to entice college students to "move up the weekend and enjoy a free-drinking party". However, behind the prevalence of wine culture, it is also an indisputable fact that French alcohol consumption has continued to decline in the past 60 years. In 1961, the average annual alcohol consumption of people over the age of 15 was 26 liters. In 2020, it has dropped to 10.4 liters. The Elysee Palace was also in controversy last year because of the "drinking rape door": the presidential palace held a staff farewell reception in July, and as a result, a young female officer next to Macron was sexually assaulted by a colleague after drinking.
More and more French people are beginning to reflect on whether alcohol is a "just need" for parties and making friends. In recent years, Europe has launched the "No Alcohol Month in January" campaign, which aims to encourage people to reduce alcohol consumption after the Christmas and New Year "drinking" holidays. , restore healthy habits. This move has won the support of many French people, especially young people. "No Alcohol in January" became a popular challenge. A college student, Zuo Ai, was afraid of being lined up by his classmates to drink a few glasses every time he attended a party. After accepting the "No Alcohol in January" challenge, she slowly got rid of her social fear of alcohol. Zoe said that the pressure of "not drinking" gradually diminished, because "many people began to understand that even if they don't drink, they are normal people."
Today, the French beverage market has also emerged as a "dark horse" - alcoholic non-alcoholic beverages. There is no fatigue and headache, but also the fun of aperitif, this type of drink has been popular with many people. In 2021, the sales volume will reach 150,000 bottles, with an annual growth rate of 300%, and there are more than 200 varieties. The booming market has led to efforts by traditional brewers to develop alternatives to alcohol. White-collar Isabelle believes that while extending the "no wine month" to the whole year, non-alcoholic beverages ensure the taste of alcohol, or will set off a "revolution of "reverse persuasion culture,
