Drinking instead of eating

I go to an hours long event that extends beyond what I would consider a normal lunchtime or suppertime.

Then afterwards, instead of going somewhere to get a bite to eat - which is what would normally happen in the US, in my experience - everyone wants to go directly to the pub and drink. Not to sit down and have a pub meal, but to drink.

I don't understand how people can drink if they haven't eaten for many hours. Aren't they hungry? I usually end up just getting a coke just to keep my blood sugar up till I can get some real food. If I drank I would just feel terrible.

I've noticed this difference too, but I always thought it was just that I had stingy friends.

I've found throughout my travels and meeting lots of people from all over the world, its actually kind of an American thing to want food while drinking.  I don't know why.  I think it just makes sense and makes me feel better.  I've even had several Europeans (or rather generic other people also of western descent) figure out that I was American when I ordered food, or expressed an immediate need for some. 

I didn't know it was an American thing. That's interesting. I feel awful drinking on an empty stomach.

My old boss was big on the three pint lunch - and I have vowed not to let an Englishman out drink me. So you end up back at work about 1/4 drunk. Then an hour later you feel like crawling in a corner somewhere for a nap.

I don't know if eating before drinking is just an American thing.  Finns seem to think it's a good idea, and they are the world drinking champions.

When we go out to the pub with friends, people randomly order food, so maybe they figure if anyone is hungry, they can pick up some food?  I've been with different groups of people, and there always seems to be at least 2 or 3 people who order food.

My experience is limited to my circle of friends here, but I've found food to be an integral part of any thing we do. Usually we plan to have a meal before or during something, but other times we'll just plan to go somewhere that has food even if we're just going out for drinks.  I think it's like Legs said, we will go to a pub and anyone who wants food can get food, but it's not necessarily a planned sit-down meal.  It's just sort of a casual thing.

The people I know here either go to pubs that don't serve food or don't sit anywhere near the area for people who are eating. They are sit close to or stand at the bar type  people who just order one drink after another. It's not so much the alcohol; I don't know how people can go so long without eating.

When we used to have Sunday tea at MIL's she would serve a big meal for us at around 4PM. DH never understood why I had to make another meal for myself before bedtime; why I couldn't go from 4PM until the next day without food.

My experience is limited to my circle of friends here, but I've found food to be an integral part of any thing we do.

Same with my friends. To the point where we joke about it! 

This surprised me when I first moved here, but now it just seems normal. I have an American friend who still insists we eat everytime we go out (or at least go somewhere where she can get food) and it drives me crazy.  I always wonder why she didn't just grab a quick sandwich at home or something before she came out? 

Specific example.

I recently joined a choir and tomorrow is my first concert. We have to be at the venue to prep by 5:30, and the concert doesn't end till around 9:30. Then we are supposed to go to one of the choirmembers' homes (not near the venue) for drinks and crisps.

Considering that I have to travel to get to the venue, that I don't want to eat after I've got my outfit on to prevent getting food on it, and that I can't eat while I am standing on stage singing - when am I supposed to eat? Crisps are not enough for me.

I suppose I will just have something to eat around 3-3:30ish before I go, and then after the concert get something myself to eat first and then meet up with the others afterwards, if they are still there.

If this were in the US, we would all have gone out for a nice meal in a restaurant afterward.

Specific example.

I recently joined a choir and tomorrow is my first concert. We have to be at the venue to prep by 5:30, and the concert doesn't end till around 9:30. Then we are supposed to go to one of the choirmembers' homes (not near the venue) for drinks and crisps.

Considering that I have to travel to get to the venue, that I don't want to eat after I've got my outfit on to prevent getting food on it, and that I can't eat while I am standing on stage singing - when am I supposed to eat? Crisps are not enough for me.

I suppose I will just have something to eat around 3-3:30ish before I go, and then after the concert get something myself to eat first and then meet up with the others afterwards, if they are still there.

If this were in the US, we would all have gone out for a nice meal in a restaurant afterward.

Drinks and just crisps seems a bit measly to me when no-one has had dinner most likely.  Could you offer to bring some nice crackers and hummus and carrot sticks, etc?

Drinks and just crisps seems a bit measly to me when no-one has had dinner most likely.  Could you offer to bring some nice crackers and hummus and carrot sticks, etc?

I won't have any way to carry anything and there would be no place to store food, so I would have to go home first anyway to get it. Thoughtful gesture, though.

The original plan was to go to a pub, but this nice woman volunteered her home instead. I think going out to the pub for drinks is what they usually do after a concert and what everyone else is used to. 

I won't have any way to carry anything and there would be no place to store food, so I would have to go home first anyway to get it. Thoughtful gesture, though.

The original plan was to go to a pub, but this nice woman volunteered her home instead. I think going out to the pub for drinks is what they usually do after a concert and what everyone else is used to. 

I guess besides eating before you go, carry some trail mix bars, oat cakes, nuts or some other non-perishable healthy snack in your bag.  That's what I would do.

I guess besides eating before you go, carry some trail mix bars, oat cakes, nuts or some other non-perishable healthy snack in your bag.  That's what I would do.

Yes. I will probably get a protein bar or something.