cant drink can smoke - Saturday Night Fever (1977) Discussion

[–] sonofbeach-sheet 10 years ago

I think in 1977 New York, a 19 year old was perfectly free to smoke and drink in a disco as he pleased! Between a third and half of the population smoked back then and smoking indoors was allowed at most places.

As for me, I joined the Air Force in 1988 and was 20 years old. When I was in tech school, you could drink between 18-20 years old, but confined to the Airman's Club and only beer. There was a quieter bar with a wide selection annexed for the more mature 21 and overs.

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[–] trag-1 10 years ago

The drinking age did not start going up until around 1980. The ridiculous MADD, neo-prohibitionists were just getting started at the time, and were actually doing a good job as more of an educational, awareness raising organization, rather than the extremist, alcohol hating group they've become now days.

The timing varied by state, but in my experience, the drinking age went up from 18 to 19 in 1980, and did not go from 19 to 21 until several years later.

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[–] MsLadybird99 10 years ago

I used to smoke, but I personally found the smoking ban in restaurants, planes, trains, and buses refreshing. The ban on bars annoyed me, but after listening to servers, I can see the point.

~~
My date left with someone else. I had fun. Do you have any Seconal?

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[–] brightmidnight71 10 years ago

Most states have a smoking ban now, and I understand and accept it for restaurants and definitely busses and such. I can't imagine what it was like when people could smoke on a plane. But I always felt it should be up to individual bars. They aren't a typical business, they're regulated by the ABC , it should be up to the owners if they want to allow cigars or cigarettes. I mean bars that might serve food. Places with fewer than 10 tables.
If you don't want to work there then don't work there. If you don't want to walk through sh*t, don't work for the sewer department. It's just ironic that they sell a legal poison but no no don't smoke.

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[–] vpilutis 9 years ago

Funny as I look back I was born in 1947 so in 1965 I could drink in NY city (state)
could be drafted into the army (however most of the time you were 19 +) and get killed in NAM of course you could smoke anywhere B U T you couldn't V O T E
Now days you can vote at 18 and buy tobacco but have to be 21 to drink.

I was stationed in the Midwest IN & IL where of course the law is/ws 21 for drinking
Matter of face IN is/was dry on Sundays however most of us servicemen drank.

See some stars here
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[–] danmax67 9 years ago

At that time, the drinking age in NY was 18 and that was rarely enforced. It was assumed your parents policed such things, not big brother. Smoking was permitted just about anywhere. Bars, restaurants, even on airplanes. Ashtrays were everywhere. There were even 'furniture' ashtray pieces people had in their homes.

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[–] sfrsez 9 years ago

what exactly are you advocating for? smokes and booze are disgusting killers.

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[–] ck1-5 8 years ago

"What exactly are you advocating for?"? Probably, that if you're deemed fit to fight and die for your country, that you should be allowed to have a beer or a cigarette if you want to...and this is coming from someone who is anti-smoking.

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[–] sfrsez 8 years ago

not the brightest r u?

correct logic should be; the min age for all these useless activities should be 61

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[–] ck1-5 8 years ago

...says the asswipe who can't understand a concept as simple as this one.

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[–] Milkdoesabodygood 8 years ago

Ohhhh, whoaaaaa, the language on youse, you blow ya fadda with that mouth!

Spoiler alert for them spoil sports out there! Y'all like spoiled milk, stop crying over it!

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[–] jefgg 8 years ago

What was up with Tony not finishing his drinks? I guess he was more interested in dancing than getting sloshed.

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[–] Milkdoesabodygood 8 years ago

Don't forget the 16oz drink proposed ban in NYC as well.

Spoiler alert for them spoil sports out there! Y'all like spoiled milk, stop crying over it!

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[–] !!!deleted!!! (47421091) 8 years ago

I can say with certainty that 100% of kids that are 19 years of age are, well, 19 years old. I can also say with the same certainty that but a tiny percentage of 19 year old kids have the maturity and courage to join the armed forces, finish basic training and serve their country in a dangerous capacity.

I think that any of those in uniform should be allowed to drink regardless of their ages. I think every other 19 year should not.

But to make the argument that 19 year olds aren't old enough to drink but are old enough to have their legs blown off in Afghanistan is a non sequitur.

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