Thread: sweeping changes in alcohol laws

Yeah what you describe Capcoddah, sounds about the same.

Windup Merchantski, yes, this stereotype is mostly true, although these ferries are the most notorious boozing places in Northern Europe.

It was even worse before the EU, when all the liquor was completely tax free, which made a huge price difference. There is a little island in the middle of the Baltic sea, called Åland which has limited independence. It decided to stay outside the EU. For that reason all the ferries that stop there, can still sell tax free alcohol.

I am in Sweden at the moment and had to close the window at my hotel because drunk people were being noisy all night on the street outside. I had the same problem when I was in Latvia recently, but for some reason, Swedes are more noisy.
I hate this culture of just boozing and hanging around on the street while drunk. It should be illegal. I wish the police would take them, then maybe they wouldn't do it again, or at least do it at home.

Recently I was in Belarus, there, there was no problem with hooligans whatsoever. I only saw one really drunk person the whole time I was there. I know it is considered a police state etc, but in a way they are doing people a favour when they stop people from abusing alcohol and disturbing others.

What is the situation with this in Russia? Lots of drunk people creating trouble? What does the police do with them, if anything?

Originally Posted by Hanna

What is the situation with this in Russia? Lots of drunk people creating trouble? What does the police do with them, if anything?

Drunk people partying on the streets are pretty common in Russia. But in my town, for example, if they starting to cause trouble or cry drunken songs too loud police usually quickly deals with them. I remember when my wife visited Belarus for the first time and we were walking with her by the streets of Vitebsk around 11 pm she was really surprised how we didn't see any drunk persons at the streets. But right after she said that we were approached by a completely drunk guy with a black eye. He was very polite though, asked for a cigarette and left. And I said to her: "See? And you were worrying. You can feel like home now".