Buying rounds of drinks: The Rules

[nickyboy]

Son#2 is 17 and embarking on a pretty hectic social life. I was in the car with him yesterday and conversation turned to buying of rounds and the unwritten rules.

Here's what I told him

1) If you're in a group where there's a decent chance everyone will get the opportunity to buy a round, don't be the last to offer
2) If you're in a massive group then run a kitty
3) If you arrive a bit late and everyone is already drinking, do not just buy yourself a drink. Offer to buy a round, even if everyone obviously has a drink
4) If someone is drinking an obviously much more expensive drink then suggest they don't participate in the rounds
5) If someone is drinking an obviously inexpensive drink (such as half pint) then suggest they don't participate in the rounds
6) if you're leaving early and haven't yet bought a round, make sure you buy one before you leave
7) Girls who are mates are in the rounds and they have to buy rounds

He was taken aback by the complexity of it all. Do these "rules" accord with yours?

 

[Mrs M]

Just be decent and do the right thing

 

[Dave 123]

As a youth I'd buddy up with a mate who drank at the same pace as me. He and I were always forthcoming with the next round, others in our group drank at a glacial pace that we weren't prepared to wait for.

 

[Beebo]

Sometimes you win sometimes you don't. Over time it will all even out as long as everyone plays fair.

My biggest issue are people who quibble over a restaurant bill. Just pay a pro rate cost, I don't care if your starter was 50p cheaper.

 

[screenman]

When I used to take my parents out I played, if I take my brother out I pay, if I take my kids out 42/38/27 years old I pay.

When I look in the mirror I see the letters GUM on my forehead.

 

[classic33]

Don't swap your drinks when you're buying, to something cheaper.

If you're bought a drink, buy one back.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

He was taken aback by the complexity of it all. Do these "rules" accord with yours?

 

[marshmella]

Tell him not to buy any drinks at all...until he's 18 just like i did

 

[r04DiE]

Son#2 is 17 and embarking on a pretty hectic social life. I was in the car with him yesterday and conversation turned to buying of rounds and the unwritten rules.

Here's what I told him

1) If you're in a group where there's a decent chance everyone will get the opportunity to buy a round, don't be the last to offer
2) If you're in a massive group then run a kitty
3) If you arrive a bit late and everyone is already drinking, do not just buy yourself a drink. Offer to buy a round, even if everyone obviously has a drink
4) If someone is drinking an obviously much more expensive drink then suggest they don't participate in the rounds
5) If someone is drinking an obviously inexpensive drink (such as half pint) then suggest they don't participate in the rounds
6) if you're leaving early and haven't yet bought a round, make sure you buy one before you leave
7) Girls who are mates are in the rounds and they have to buy rounds

He was taken aback by the complexity of it all. Do these "rules" accord with yours?

Good rules, although I wouldn't include 4 and 5.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

4) If someone is drinking an obviously much more expensive drink then suggest they don't participate in the rounds
5) If someone is drinking an obviously inexpensive drink (such as half pint) then suggest they don't participate in the rounds

I can understand the bit about someone having a more expensive drink, but a cheap drink?? It just means your round will be cheaper than if they normally had asked for something worth more, and besides, if they also buy a round, what's the problem? They have paid, if they are trying to sneak out of paying then they have failed .... I hadn't realised there was an 'optimum price' where a round can only work.

Sometimes you win sometimes you don't. Over time it will all even out as long as everyone plays fair.

My biggest issue are people who quibble over a restaurant bill. Just pay a pro rate cost, I don't care if your starter was 50p cheaper.

That does grind my gears a bit - Why the heck should I pay for someone else's meal??

I will try and pay my own, thankyou!

 

[ianrauk]

Good rules, although I wouldn't include 4 and 5.

Agreed. Buying a round? then include whatever others are drinking (as long as someone is not going overboard or silly)

 

[Vapin' Joe]

There are only three rules you need to know;

1/ Perfect the art of first through the door, last to the bar.

2/ Time your toilet breaks carefully.

3/ Furiously pat all your pockets and exclaim in a bewildered manner, "Oh no, I forgot my wallet!" (This is the nuclear option when rules 1&2 have been mistimed)

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

3/ Furiously pat all your pockets and exclaim in a bewildered manner, "Oh no, I forgot my wallet!"

Ah yes, the infamous 'pat dance'

 

[fossyant]

One of my BIL's always manages to get out of a round !

 

[ianrauk]

Watch out for the rounds weasel.
I used to work with someone who used to take charge of the round by helping the round buyer at the bar. He used to claim to help by remembering all of the order. He would get his in first, then throw in another random drink (also for himself), until we cottoned on to his trick.