I was at a restaurant for lunch with an elderly man that I help out. He wanted to take me out for lunch for my birthday at get margaritas. Well, I was about to order and a woman came up to ask me if I was ms. so-and-so and I replied yes, and she told me that her son was sitting over at the other table but was to shy to come say hi to me. But, he said that he was your 2nd grade student this year that you student taught. Well, I had to think twice about the margarita but I went through with it because my intention was not to get drunk, but just to have a drink with an elderly friend.
What do you think about a situation with this. I do not believe it is wrong to have a drink and not get drunk, but I know that all parents may not agree, and would not like to leave a bad impression on a student.
2007-01-20 10:28:48 · 21 answers · asked by souplane21 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
You have a right to do whatever you want. If you know you never intended to get drunk, then there is no problem. People who get upset about things like this are entirely too uptight. It's not like you're teaching with an open bottle of Stoli on your desk.
2007-01-20 10:32:37 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
So it was lunchtime. Was it a school day? If you were drinking before you went back to school to teach in the afternoon, I'd probably disapprove if I were a parent and my kid was in your class, because I would hope that my kid's teacher would be at her best with all her faculties when teaching. If it's not a school day you're free to drink.
As far as drinking in general, I personally do not drink for religious reasons, but I don't think it's wrong for people who do not share my religious convictions to drink. I really would hope that they don't abuse alcohol, though. I go to plenty of parties where my coworkers drink while I don't and I don't mind it. But I also hope that if any of them needs a ride home they'd ask me rather than driving drunk or doing anything else irresponsible.
Happy birthday! I hope it was enjoyable.
2007-01-21 02:23:51 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see no problem with what you did. Having a drink is a socially acceptable thing. Getting drunk is not.
Your concern for the impression on the student is admirable. Wish all teachers were as concerned about the kids as you
2007-01-20 18:32:58 · answer #3 · answered by Lar 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with an adult having a social drink in public. You were celebrating your birthday! Hope you had fun. The child, if anything, should learn that it's okay to celebrate how you choose when you are of an appropriate age to do so. And that lesson should be taught by his parents, not you.
2007-01-20 18:32:54 · answer #4 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're supposed to have a life, outside of that of your students. The boy's mother spoke to you, but that didn't mean you couldn't go on with what you were doing. If you're legal drinking age, and you're not drunk and driving all over the roads or something like that, they have nothing to say to you.
2007-01-20 19:31:32 · answer #5 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that you are way overthinking this. The kid probably didn't even know that it was an alcoholic beverage. Being in the second grade, he may not even know what alcohol is. My question is, why is a second grader hanging out in a place that serves alcohol? Unless it was a family restaurant, in which case you have no need to worry...his parents probably do it all of the time!
2007-01-20 19:16:12 · answer #6 · answered by IamBatman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did not get drunk. You as a person had a right to have a drink with your friend. You have a life after school is out that is your own.
2007-01-20 18:35:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is absoutely nothing wrong with having a drink with a friend. It's not at all unprofessional. The only things that would make you look bad would be drinking somewhere you weren't old enough to be, drinking too much or smelling of drink at work. Relax, you're fine.
2007-01-20 18:34:51 · answer #8 · answered by Liz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The mother was at the restaurant too wasn't she? She was probably thinking the same thing - should I have a couple of drinks with my son's teacher sitting over there? Don't worry.
2007-01-20 19:22:03 · answer #9 · answered by jammer 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a teacher I can tell you my thoughts on this. It was perfectly acceptable for you to have a cocktail with a friend. Even if you were still the child's teacher, although it may be even more uncomfortable, it would be fine. The child may not even notice that you had a cocktail but if he did, and he told others, this would be a teachable moment on drinking, its affects, and making responsible (adult) decisions. Parents also need to understand this and not have teachers on a 'pedestal'. As parents they are also their child's role model/educator and need to discuss these social issues with their child as well. Good luck on your teaching career :)
2007-01-20 19:10:35 · answer #10 · answered by Steph 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋