The Good Food Guide: Enjoying Alcohol As A Soft Drink Gone Bad
Although the consumption of alcohol is forbidden by some religions, it should however be noted that within every faith or religion there are those who strictly observe their beliefs, while there are others who treat them more casually. Many religions permit or tolerate consumption of alcohol, except during particular religious festivals.
In a few of those countries where consumption of alcohol is forbidden on religious grounds, foreign visitors may be able to obtain drinks in major hotels and restaurants. It might however be unwise to offer alcoholic beverages to one’s host or one’s guest, and therefore non-alcoholic drinks should be made available. There are prepared foods including soups, main courses and desserts that are prepared with or contain alcohol. It is therefore important when entertaining visitors who, for religious, secular or medical reasons, abstain from consuming alcohol are not offered
or served with such food.
A story was published in a British newspaper that that in the 1960’s the British Foreign Minister had attended a formal dinner held in Peru where unfortunately he consumed too much alcohol. After the dinner and hearing music he is said to have asked a figure in a purple frock for a dance. The response had been, ‘No, First you are drunk. Second, this is not a waltz, it is the Peruvian national anthem. And third, I am not a woman, I am the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima.’
There are also countries, for example Saudi Arabia, where alcoholic beverages may not be imported nor consumed in any public place, for example in hotels, and any contravention of laws and regulations is subject to heavy penalties. Rules and regulations concerning alcohol should be borne in mind when giving gifts to persons from countries where consumption of alcohol is forbidden for religious reasons. Inappropriate gifts would also include any food and confectionery containing alcohol.
One should also be aware that every country has its national drink and driving regulations in regard to maximum permitted blood alcohol level and its enforcement policies. A manufacturer of a liqueur decided to call his product Scottish Mist. The product was well-made, had a pleasing flavour, and was marketed in an attractive bottle with a gold-coloured label.
Unfortunately the product was not marketable in Germanspeaking countries, as the word ‘mist’, when translated into German, means dung or manure.
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