Moxy,
When my father first became a JW back in the 50's, he quickly realised that the witnesses were split approximately 50 / 50 re as to whether it was OK for a dub to be in a pub. However, back then, this would have been reasonably representative of society as a whole.
Many witnesses who come from a Baptist or Methodist background frown on pubs simply because that is how they have been brought up.
I frequently encounter JW's in my local pub, and I have to say that these dubs, some of whom are elders, are less condemning generally than you would expect. Also, pub-dubs do not inform the non-pub-dubs of their liking for the English pub, so as not to be a cause for stumbling.
A point worth noting is that a British pub is nothing like a drinkers bar. Pub is an abbreviation for "Public house". Just as France has it's "Cafe culture", so we British have our Pub culture. A pub is usually a social center, if you want to drink so much that the Landlord refuses to serve you, thats a shame. Many people, women in particular, will spend an hour or two in a pub and just drink orange juice or maybe a spritzer. Many pubs such as my own have regular social activities. For example, tonight at 9 we will attend the pub quiz. Informally gathered teams of 4 will compete for a modest prize. Friday night is darts night / skittles night where we play in league's, over a 9 month season.
The wonderful thing about a pub is that it gives you space. If you are not happy with a conversation you simply visit the loo, and by the time you get back, the person is talking to someone else. There's other benefits too, take for example, my upcoming barbecue next Sunday. It starts around 3 pm, so, at about 1pm, people will arrive at my local pub, The Waverley. By 3pm we have a ready made party! Everyone will have met, have had a couple of unfreezers and walked the 200 yards to my home. Instant atmosphere!
Pubs are great for people who have just moved into an area and dont know anyone. Although the old British reserve may deter the local from being too friendly, once it is realsed that these people seem quite pleasant then they will receive a welcome if somewhat belated.
My Dad used to hold his committee meetings in the snug of "The Load of Hay" in Feltham, London, and he also reckoned that he could acheive his monthly hours quota just by discussing theological stuff with the locals afterwards.
I might not now agree with much of what he believed, but in the matter of pubs he was spot on!
Englishman.
..... fanaticism masquerading beneath a cloak of reasoned logic.
