My son and I have a somewhat adversarial relationship lately. I don’t want to go into that here, but something came up tonight and I need more info if I can get it. He tells me that the night before Thanksgiving has turned into a big party or going-out night, with people standing in line to get into bars, etc. I’ve never seen or heard that, but I’m willing to concede that he gets around a bit more than I do. I’m also willing to tell him that I’ve found out he’s right, if it turns out he is. Can any of you help me with this? Is this something that fits into your observations? Is it just the younger ones, or is it a bigger phenomenon than I was aware of? Or is he handing me more stuff?
We’re in the midwest, if that makes any difference. Maybe it’s local.
I’ve seen big crowds in bars and clubs on holidays before; mostly it’s younger types (i.e., 20somethings) who are going insane from spending unaccustomed time with parents and need to get out for a few hours.
But standing in line? I’ve never seen a line to get into a bar before (except once in Hong Kong, but that’s a different situation). Unless we’re talking about a trendy dance club or something; I’ve seen lines to get into those, but can’t confirm the holiday thing.
I worked in a factory until my retirement this June. The days before Thanksgiving and Christmas days-off were always bizarre. The known drinkers sometimes showed up sloshed at 7:00am. Some whiskey got smuggled in, and was consumed during the day. Those who went out to the bar across the street for lunch returned in wobbly paths. By the last hour of the shift, howls could be heard over the laughter and the usual factory din. At irregular intervals, I’d hear, “Whooooooooooooooooo!” ,dropping in pitch at the end. Another howl would answer the first, and so on.
Not everyone got crazy, of course. We still had work to do. Management had a resigned attitude toward the madness. Many folks who wanted to leave early were allowed to go, some to shop, some to drink, and some just to escape the craziness.
People who haved moved away from their home towns are all back visiting their families for the holidays. They want to see their friends as well as their families.
My husband and I usually end up in a bar when I go home on the holidays. How else are we supposed to see our friends?
Any day with no work/school the next day is pretty much like a weekend night to most people. I noticed that when I worked for a movie theater for years. I suppose combining that with the visiting of friends & relatives and yeah, I could see a lot of “celebrating” going on. Especially if the rest of the holiday is going to be spent with fuddy-duddy aunt Doris and your grandma who doesn’t approve of spirits, etc.
A friend who has tended bar for 15 years told me that “Thanksgiving Eve” is THE busiest bar night of the year–even busier than New Year’s Eve. I guess most people go to fancier places for New Year’s Eve?
In D.C., it’s pretty common to see long lines of people waiting to gain entrance to the bars, and not just during holidays, but every Thursday though Saturday.