When is it Acceptable to Start Drinking?
A recent survey conducted by LawnStarter surveyed 3,000 respondents to determine when people in certain states find it acceptable to start drinking. The results showed that Wyoming residents are the earliest in the U.S. to start drinking, with noon being their preferred time. North Dakota and Montana residents can wait until 4:30 pm, while New Jersey residents prefer to wait until after their evening commute.
Drinking Alone vs. Social Drinking
The survey also found that 60% of respondents would not drink alone before 5 pm, but almost half would confront a loved one if they noticed regular day drinking. This suggests that drinking is seen more as a social activity than a solitary one in most states.
Special Occasions
During special occasions, such as weekends and holidays, 38% of respondents said they would start drinking earlier in the day, and 36% would find it acceptable to drink one to two hours earlier than usual. This suggests that there is more flexibility in drinking times for special events.
Jersey Attitude
New Jersey residents are known for their “five o’clock somewhere” attitude when it comes to drinking. When questioned about what they would do if they received disapproving glances for drinking outside of the traditional 5 pm time, 17% of respondents said they would simply raise their glass in a toast and continue to drink. Another 22% said they would explain the “five o’clock somewhere” philosophy.
Conclusion
The survey results suggest that there is variability in when people find it acceptable to start drinking, depending on the state and the occasion. While some states like Wyoming have a more lenient attitude towards early drinking, others like New Jersey prefer to wait until after 5 pm. Ultimately, the decision of when to start drinking is a personal one, but it is important to be aware of the social norms in your area.
