Many
Germans Drink to Get Drunk
A European survey concludes that Germans are frequent binge drinkers
because one in five believes "the point of drinking is to get
drunk," Reuters reported July 21.
After surveying 35,000, the Mintel market research study found
that while Britons have a reputation for drinking, Germans are more
likely than the British to get drunk.
"Although the Germans may not go drinking as often as the
British, when they do drink, many want to get drunk," said
Mintel senior consumer analyst Michelle Strutton.
According to the survey, 17 percent of German adults believe that
the purpose of drinking is to get drunk, which is twice the number
of adults in Britain who feel the same way.
"The fact that German adults are seemingly more inclined than
the British to get drunk could help ease the British reputation
for lavish drinking and an over-indulgent pub culture," Strutton
said.
The German Brewers' Association said binge drinking is not a widespread
problem in the country. "The majority of Germans are very moderate
drinkers. Only a very small percentage don't know how to drink alcohol
sensibly. So-called binge drinkers are a very small minority in
Germany," said Peter Hahn, managing director of the association.
"Germany, like Britain, has a culture of beer drinking that
dates back for centuries and so we know how to cope with alcohol."
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