The post you are reporting:
Sometimes this forum does produce a load of tat...
I would never suggest people performing certain jobs drink before they do so. Vic - you need to get a sense of perspective.
Some of us, those of us in business and in professional occupations, and that includes MPs, need to network. Good networking skills are essential and networking often involves alcohol.
This is as important to me in business as, by contrast a sober clear head and good balance is important for someone working at 200 feet on steel beams. The bulk of my business comes from networking and that does sometimes (not always) involve a few beers (or glasses of wine).
Breakfast networking has added over £680,000 in revenue to my business in the last 13 years, no alcohol at breakfast but follow-up lunchtime meetings and after work meetings frequently do.
I suspect that the division on here depends on the work experiences of those posting. Clearly alcohol to Vic is a 'no, no' - dont know what Dave1 does/did, or MRP - but I suspect networking was not an issue. If you work in an occupation in which contacts and who you know is not essential, building/manual trades, for instance or highly controlled environmenments then you may have difficulty grasping the point.
Just remember, what is right and necessary in one job and occupation is not right for another.
I have three networking engagements this week. One lunch which probably will not have any alcohol this time because of the person I am meeting, one breakfast, again no alcohol and an afternoon event over the weekend that will certainly involve alcolol (for me provided I dont drive, fingers crossed on that!).
