To be annoyed by no booze at IWD?

[jasminetea22]

I went to an International Women’s Day event in a small industrial northern town this evening. There were a couple of folk bands, a belly dancing group, and a local ‘poet’ who talked about South Indian culture. Their poems peddled tired and frankly offensive clichés about Asian women oppressed by dowry culture and selective abortion. There were fewer than 50 people in attendance. The event was held in the town’s only craft beer bar, but they had made the decision to only serve non-alcoholic drinks so that the event would ‘encourage people to join in’. 90% of people there were 60+ feminists who were desperate for a glass of wine. AIBU to be pissed off? When will feminism let us have a good night out?

Absolutely not being unreasonable. Folks who don’t drink for secular or religious reasons are used to tolerating other people drinking at social occasions. Why close a bar on the presumption that non-drinkers would be uncomfortable or excluded?

I personally would organise my own event. I like a drink but could handle a night where its not included wouldn't go tbf

Sounds really shit. Hope they had a feedback form

I don't really see the connection between one bad event and 'feminism not letting you have a good night out'?

YANBU but why didn't you just decamp to a decent pub?

I mean that a feminist event shouldn’t have to be so worthy. What’s wrong with women wanting equality and a drink?

OP I simply would not have attended...game over 😊

I guess it's a shock if you were expecting to drink, but it wouldn't ruin my night and I think your end remark is a little ridiculous honestly. Feminism doesn't stop you having a good night out

@jasminetea22

I mean that a feminist event shouldn’t have to be so worthy. What’s wrong with women wanting equality and a drink?

I agree with that but your question When will feminism let us have a good night out? is really out of place.

Whoever organised the event prevented that, not feminism.

When will feminism let us have a good night out?

It has nothing to do with feminism. It just sounds like the whole event, for various reasons, was a bit shit.

Makes a change. Whenever I go to events I find they are usually lacking in the soft drink department.

The thing is, the limited number of people who would be offended, or even uncomfortable about people drinking at the same event as they are, wouldn't attend an event in a craft beer bar anyway.

If it needed to be alcohol free to encourage some folk to attend, then it needed to be in a different venue.

I would definitely consider myself a feminist but I wouldn’t have gone to that event. Not because they weren’t serving booze, but because it was clearly always going to be extremely dull and worthy.

You can go out with your mates and have a drink any time you want. Feminism isn’t stopping you.

YANBU sounds fucking appalling. I’m surprised they didn’t have male suitors there to pair all of the good potential wives off to.

Think the last time feminism was a good night out was in the 70's when they drank wine and got their mirrors out I wish I had been there, raising my contiousness, maybe rattling my drum.

I went to a ''Village play'' once that dragged on for about 3 hours.

The seats wer uncomfy, I couldn't hear the 'Actors', the acting was not that great, and during the singing I had a terrible attack of the giggles and absolutely could not stop.

My friend whom I was staying with shot me cross glances that made it worse.
I was literally biting my fist and sobbing with laughter.

I just could not control it.

So yes, I empathise with these ''do's''.
they can be far too long and dreary.
Refreshments are definitely needed.
I don't drink, but fully understand that those who do would like to., especially in a venue like you describe.

@SRS29

OP I simply would not have attended...game over 😊

Me neither!

They have the capacity to be tedious, with uncomfortable seats. ...Refreshments of some sort are VITAL.

@discoginsix

Think the last time feminism was a good night out was in the 70's when they drank wine and got their mirrors out I wish I had been there, raising my contiousness, maybe rattling my drum.

Ha! The mirrors

@oakleaffy. You’ve reminded me of Ilkley am dram performing Oklahoma many years ago.
The farmer and the cow man singing in broad Yorkshire accents.
I too was stifling giggles.

@vamptramp

Mirrors?

@oakleaffy

Not to derail the thread but I went to an awful village play once to! The female cast were about 15 and there were abortion jokes. It was horrid, we walked out.

*too

RandomBasic

Have a guess. Think of the seminal text of the time

Wtf has the lack of booze got to do with feminism? I seriously despair at some posters.

Are south Asian women not oppressed by dowry culture then? Why did you find the poems offensive? It sounds like this event was designed to attract women who don't drink for religious or cultural reasons not a group of "60+ feminists" who can't go a night without booze.

A strange choice of venue though, agreed.