Well done missp, it is actually no different from that which I expected ... she is a star.I can speak for Switzerland, Poland, and most of the Greek islands, as well as Greek mainland, since the 'Ban'. In the former two, I saw no smoking in areas that served food; as far as Greece is concerned, in the main it may as well be described as al fresco - full restaurants are smoke free zones. Smoking was banned in buses, except for the drivers! There is another element that I feel is at play here in the UK and that is the massive change in eating habits as well as social interaction. Greece has changed little in a thousand years. We have changed dramatically, especially in recent years.
I think the British pub as we know it or knew it is on it way out which is sad. Years and years of history just disappearing in front of our eyes. Even when I was younger, we'd go to what I'd affectionately call 'old 'b*ggers pubs - log fire in winter, a few people playing darts, the old boy in the corner either with mates or reading a book smoking a pipe, the smoky atmosphere in general and food was something you picked up on the way home.
I guess first we then had loud jukeboxes so you couldn't hear what people were saying if you were in group of friends. Then 'booze cruises' abroad came along. Then part of the pub would become 'a restaurant' in an attempt to bring in more money - which is understandable. Then let's bring in big tvs so sport was blaring out along with the drunken shouting and cheering, And then finally, no smoking and supermarkets selling booze so much cheaper - cheaper than some food in some cases. And let's not forget refurbished pubs there are meant to look old but just look fake. And of course, in today's circumstances, who can afford to go out that often?
Change is inevitable, but it has to be guided - having been party to designs of many public houses in Cornwall, I have seen it from the drawing board to the final reality. There is a mixture of 'new improved and in colour' together with the need to compete and survive as well as making money. As we find too often in 'modern society', it is a passing fad until the next attempt at finding resolution in our transient lives. Britain was at the forefront of revolution as far as engineering and other technology is concerned, as a result Britain had become more wealthy and more adventurous, absorbing other cultures, people wanted more and wider experiences. It grew and grew and like the South Sea Bubble, it has burst, leaving us with the scene today. We cannot turn back the clock. The whole ethic behind the idea of Inns and Pubs has gone and any push to revive it will only serve to undermine whatever income can be gained. As far as I am concerned the major player in all of this is the fallacy that everyone can own their own house and run their own business. In the end no one can afford anything and no one can earn anything because there is too much choice and no separate identity anymore. One thing that was tried (also in connection with Inns and Pubs, as tabtab13 has mentioned) is Diversification. In the end everyone is making the same product and providing the same service ... and all at the wrong price. Result ... well you can see it happening.
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