OK, It’s A Depression
So I go into the grog shop on the way home from work. Big shop, best in town … better than most towns. Wine from four or five continents and several islands, beer from Belgium with corks in it, a couple dozen kinds of stout, all the good stuff, plus all the Miller, Bud Lite you want, if that’s what you consider beer. And all at decent prices. It’s a heck of a package store. But there’s no one in the parking lot, no one inside, except three red-shirted attendants hanging around chatting idly.
“What happened? Everyone stop drinking?”
“No, they were all here ahead of you. Everyone’s home drinking already.”
That doesn’t sound right. It’s 8:30 on a Friday and the place is usually full. No one comes in while I’m there.
“Everyone’s too broke to drink,” I announce.
I pick up a big bottle of cheap Australian plonk and a six-pack of Bass ale, take them to the check out. No suds piously triple-fermented by Belgian monks, no heavy English porter. No messing around with la-di-da Kiwi vintages that have environmentally advanced beyond corks. Yeah, I’m a booze snob. But I’m spooked by how empty the place is.
“Jeez, it must be bad if they’re too broke to drink. OK, I’m convinced now. It’s a depression.”
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:52 pm on Friday, February 6, 2009
3 Responses to “OK, It’s A Depression”
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February 6th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Huh… Being Boston and all, I’m surprised at that.
I’ve made certain to set aside funds for my Bourbon stocks. I can do without a lot of things, but a nice glass of bourbon or two isn’t something to be given up lightly.
The Congress Critters better understand they are flittering dangerously close to the flames of rebellion when folks can’t afford to have a couple beers. They better hope the price of tar and feathers stays beyond the plebe’s finances too…..
February 7th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Maybe it’s not that dire. Last weekend was Super Bowl Sunday- there were a lot of parties.
February 7th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Mr. H once owned a bar in partnership with his father. Trust me, no one is ever too broke to drink. Must have been an anomalous week in Boston.