[HPforGrownups] Butterbeer and drinking in the Potterverse

[Susanne Schmid]

No: HPFGUIDX 28176


 
  Eric Oppen <oppen at cnsinternet.com> wrote: 
<snip>

<I've spoken with exchange students who find American high school students' attitude toward <watery American beer incredibly stupid and childish, since at home, they can drink
<beer, or wine, if they want to.

You see, Eric, I wasn't aware of that difference when I asked the question about alcoholic drinks in the books. For me, it is so natural to see young people the age of HRH drink a glass of beer or wine at mealtimes that I really found it strange that in the Potterverse alcohol has so clearly negative connotations. In Austria or Italy (which are the european countries known best to me), HRH and Ginny would have had their glass of Elderflower wine as well, at dinner before the QWC. 

Speaking of pre-or rather pre-enlightenment conceptions of children as small adults rather than "innocents", which in less educated levels of society persisted until the beginning of the 20th century, did you know that it was pefectly normal to give babies "pacifiers" that were pieces of linen soaked with beer or schnapps? 

Thouhg even this might be preferable to pumpkin juice which I imagine must be quite horrible... 

Susanna/pigwidgeon37


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