# Normal amount of wine for an afternoon.... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660 "2017-04-17T19:43:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/1 "2017-04-17T19:43:25Z")
So, my wife and I are at her fathers house for Easter. We get there at 1:00, company arrives around 2:45. 4 adults, 3 younger teenagers. Only one other adult other than him have any wine. He pours his wine glass (approx. 6-7 oz each) at: 2:15 2:45 3:00 3:42 4:30 Do you think pouring himself 5 glasses in 2 1/4 hours excessive??? I’d say he normally has 3-4 glasses every afternoon/evening. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/2 "2017-04-17T19:52:09Z")
Yeah, that sounds excessive. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/3 "2017-04-17T19:55:24Z")
I say this as one for whom one glass of wine on an empty stomach can make me a little loopy…that seems a bit much. You mention he has 3-4 glasses every evening…has your wife noticed anything? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/4 "2017-04-17T19:58:42Z")
That is about a quart of wine. Basically, a whole bottle over about 3 hours. If _I_ did that, I would be lipwalking. His tolerance must be quite high. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/5 "2017-04-17T19:58:47Z")
Excessive for what? Honestly, if it’s a holiday, there is conviviality, drinking a bottle plus a glass in 2.5 hours is not outrageous. The bigger red flag, which I would say is officially “too much to drink” is the fact that he drinks a bottle of wine every day. That’s excessive. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/6 "2017-04-17T19:59:13Z")
If the size were accurate and he had 3-4 glasses every afternoon/evening I’d be more worried about that. ---
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/7 "2017-04-17T20:01:52Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I say this as one for whom one glass of wine on an empty stomach can make me a little loopy…that seems a bit much. You mention he has 3-4 glasses every evening…has your wife noticed anything? Yes, she has definitely noticed. She doesn’t really say much or confront him about it. Her sister has, to no avail. Been this way for many years. He’s 80 I’ve known him for 27 years, and his afternoon wine was ALWAYS happening. Maybe not as many glasses on a work night, but he’s been retired for 10-12 yrs. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/8 "2017-04-17T20:02:56Z")
Not excessive. He’s not driving. Holidays suck ---
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/9 "2017-04-17T20:04:07Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Not excessive. He’s not driving. Holidays suck To be honest, it would not have mattered if it was a holiday or not. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/10 "2017-04-17T20:19:55Z")
> [@LiveFree](#): > > \Been this way for many years. He’s 80 > > I’ve known him for 27 years, and his afternoon wine was ALWAYS happening. Maybe not as many glasses on a work night, but he’s been retired for 10-12 yrs. Sounds like it’s working for him. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/11 "2017-04-17T20:22:11Z")
Fuckin’ Slacker! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/12 "2017-04-17T20:32:46Z")
> [@LiveFree](#): > > Yes, she has definitely noticed. She doesn’t really say much or confront him about it. Her sister has, to no avail. Been this way for many years. He’s 80 > > I’ve known him for 27 years, and his afternoon wine was ALWAYS happening. Maybe not as many glasses on a work night, but he’s been retired for 10-12 yrs. Then I doubt he’ll change now. Just keep the car keys away from him. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/13 "2017-04-17T20:42:40Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Just keep the car keys away from him. He’s 80! Good advice, wine or not! ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/14 "2017-04-17T20:49:43Z")
Need an option: “It depends.” With food, or without? Who’s driving (is ANYONE driving?) What’s the acquired tolerance level? Social consequences? I’ll grant that that’s a LOT more wine than I’d drink - Now. Well, actually, ever. I don’t like wine all that much. But that’s more _alcohol_ than I’d drink. Now. When I was younger? Then, a glass every half hour would be positively abstemptious. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/15 "2017-04-17T20:55:55Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > He’s 80! Good advice, wine or not! Hey! My dad is 82 and does just fine, although he did give up his big RV trek to Montana that he’s taken for years. They still do little jaunts. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/16 "2017-04-17T20:59:00Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > He’s 80! Good advice, wine or not! My mother is 83. She does like her occasoinal glass of wine, mug of ale, or shot of whisky. Of course, as a mature and wise ‘Woman of a Certain Age’ she also exhibits discretion and discipline. We don’t get drunk - I haven’t gotten actually drunk since I left the service, lo, those many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/17 "2017-04-17T21:00:43Z")
A bottle of wine contains 24 ounces. If he consumed 7 oz/glass x 5 glasses, then he had 35 ounces. That’s nearly a bottle and a half in 2 1/2 hours. Definitely excessive. That said, at 80, and after having been retired for 10-12 years… do you really think he’s going to change to suit anyone now? He’s obviously built up a tolerance and probably figures he won’t be around much longer anyhow. Agree with others that so long as he’s not driving or putting anyone else in harm’s way, then everyone has the right to go to hell in their own fashion. The practice doesn’t appear to be a problem for _him_. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/18 "2017-04-17T21:01:03Z")
> [@LiveFree](#): > > Do you think pouring himself 5 glasses in 2 1/4 hours excessive??? I’d say he normally has 3-4 glasses every afternoon/evening. Just about fits the US definition of [binge drinking.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge_drinking#Definition) I did that kind of thing in college from time to time. Occasionally (generally on a weekend) I’ll have three beers in a single evening - but your description of 3-4 glasses of wine every day sounds problematic. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/19 "2017-04-17T22:36:43Z")
Does he talk a lot at these functions? People who gab a lot can get thirsty – which is why I opt for either lower alcohol beer (so I can drink more liquid) or spirits (so there’s no way I’m drinking lots) at social functions. Wine, especially if it’s sweet, can be in the sweet spot of not enough alcohol taste to notice. On the other hand, since drinking that much is a daily occurrence, that could be a) functional alcoholism or b) using alcohol instead of painkillers. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660/20 "2017-04-17T22:42:55Z")
If it’s normal for him then I think it’s normal. To have the name “LiveFree” while at the same time recording the very minute someone refills their wine seems a bit… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-amount-of-wine-for-an-afternoon/784660.md?page=2)