One of the most enjoyable things about travel is dining out at a nice restaurant with family- good food, good wine, good company. However, adults under 21 can not be legally be served alcohol even in the presence of parents. I think this is silly. Most of Europe has few laws regulating alcohol use. Alcohol is regulated by family and community customs. Wondered what Fodors posters think?

1 - If you can't have a good family get together without the underaged participants drinking alcohol then your family has big problems.

2 - When visiting a country. You obey their laws.

Who's to say who's underaged for alcohol? The 21 year old alcohol age is silly and I won't force my children to abide it even if I have to buy alcohol for them myself.

Since I personally worked in DC, handling hearings, to get the age 21 law passed in July 1984, I can offer you perhas a perspective that may open your eyes to a very horrible fact ... alcohol impairment is one of the leading causes of fatal traffic crashes for ages 16-20, both men and women. Consider this: any federal law that imposes a threat on states to comply is total anathema to many people in the US, and that is precisely what age 21 did ... states must enact it!!! Interestingly, this law was signed by Reagan in a Rose Garden ceremony, and was spearheaded by Nancy in her famous "Just Say No Campaign." Age 21 has helped bring down the incidence, but last year, traffic deaths began to rise once again, and this increase was due to two factors: alcohol-impaired fatal crashes increased, and more motorcyclists took off their helmets (thanks to states like Texas and Florida which rescinded helmet usage laws). Do you really think it's silly to restrict alcohol consumption based on age? Some college presidents have suggested their students be able to drink on campus, regarldless of age. Now, some of us think that qualifies as silly. Ciao

The law is the law. We can talk till we are blue in the face, but the fact is, since the law states 21, bars and restaurants are not supposed to serve people under that age. In the age of lawsuits, can't blame them.

I do believe that parents and community should set the standards. If you want to teach your kids to drink responsibly, I'm sure you can do that - at home. One thing about teaching kids to be responsible is teaching them to obey laws. All of them.

OK I'll bring up the Old Cliche - am I correct in saying that you can be old enough to vote & die for your country but not old enough to buy a beer ? ( I'm not American so am unsure ).

Alcohol is one of the biggest causes of traffic accidents across the board; unfortunately America likes to sweep problems under the rug through over-legislation. As with most things, education is the key, but education costs money, legislation makes money.

The laws in Europe are different because many (most?) Europeans have a different view of the role of alcohol in daily life. It's served with most meals in many parts of Europe and it's viewed as a staple. Penalties for abuse (drunk driving e.g.) are extremely stiff.
Many Americans, especially kids, view alcohol as a recreational supplement. They abuse alcohol as opposed to using it as a meal enhancement.

If you want to try to argue that teens are predictably logical, responsible and not prone to poor judgment, then you're either unrealistic or a teen yourself.
The alcohol laws in the US fit well for our society.

Why not raise the drinking age to 24? Or 30? In Florida, many auto accidents that kill are caused by incompetent elderly drivers who are way past their prime. Why not force all those over age 65 to hand over their liscenses? In Northern Virginia, a large percentage of fatal auto accidents are caused by Latino drivers who speak little to no English and can't drive worth a lick. They're forever careening down Arlington Blvd. maiming and killing due to their lack of driving skills. Should we forbid them to hand over their drivers' licenses? Just last month in suburban Maryland, an incompetent Latina driver with three kids under age 5 didn't handle a curve during a rain storm and slammed her car into a 4-wheel drive, killing the bunch of them. Should we forbid all Latinas from driving? 1.3 million fetuses, L, are murdered every year in abortuaries. Should we eliminate abortuaries? Oh, that's right, the "Constitution" says the right to murder fetuses is guaranteed. As a finale, Elizabeth "Oprah" Dole was part of the silly cabal of screeds who forced the drinking age rise down America's throats. Good enough reason for the citizens of North Carolina to vote down that Senator-wannabe from the Watergate Hotel when she runs for the Seante next year.

So, Lisa, do you always obey all the laws? Did you even once drive your car over the speed limit? Remember, if the LAW says that the speed limit on , say, Route 95 is 55 MPH, you are breaking the LAW once you begin driving at 56 MPH. Have you ever gone 56+ MPH, Lisa, when you should have gone 55 MPH. If you EVER have, Lisa, then you have no right to tell people to obey ALL the LAWS.

I'd be careful about parents' considering teaching kids to drink responsibly. There are legal as well as liability issues at stake. I have a cousin who taught my nephew. Famous Alexander case in Atlanta in the 1980's ... when he took out a prominent family going to the liquor store for his dad ... age 18. This is an issue that brings tragedy to many homes. I hope people are willing to put aside their beliefs long enough to consider what the age 21 law is attempting to accomplish. Nothing in our culture, history or mores frees us to place others ar risk. Ciao

When I was coming along the drinking age was 18. I'm really lucky I'm not dead. Lets change the draft age to 21, when judgement overall may be a bit better.

I won't get into this argument, but Paul, I think your remark about the incompetent Latina was so uncalled for. I live up the road where that unfortunate accident occurred. It could have happened to anyone.

Did you ever hear of hydroplaning, ilisa? No? Maybe you shouldn't be allowed to drive. Competent drivers ease around curves during rainstorms. The Latina did not handle the curve comptently and her poor kids are dead. I think it's a ***damned shame.

Well, Paul, let me add a footnote or two to your version of history. True, Dole was DOT Secretart when the 21 law as enacted ... but she was not the driving force. It was very widespead, and we can thank MADD and many others. Of course the beer and liquor industry fought it every step of the way. A very interesting thing occurred: a prominent liquor company in KY held its annual executive blast ... and driving home, one its VP's, drunk out of his mind on company product, wiped out some folks. They became rather quiet. At this same time, the White House looked at the "blood border" ... different state ages ... such as NY/NJ ... and agreed it was a national problem, not a state one. Reagan signed this very imposing law ... that a states righter like RR was willing to impose a Federal requirement on all states really says a lot about this problem. It would be nice if people really placed kids first and started supporting it more. Ciao

Excuse me ... secretary ... truly, no pun intended. Ciao

I'll tell you my appproach, and brace for the incoming wrath.

When my son reached an age when I thought (underline "I") could handle alcohol -- around 18, we'd go to restaurants and I'd order a beer or wine and split it with him. Alcohol never played a big part in any of our family gathering. For instance, we don't routinely have a drink before or with dinner. But I figured, what the heck, once in a while is OK.
The result: He's now 24, graduated from college and working. He'll have an occasional drink, usually a beer, but my guess is that he drinks far less than the typical 24-year-old.
The point: I'm not saying this approach is right for everyone, or that every parent will make the right decision. For instance, parents who supply kegs at their teenagers' parties are idiots. But this was a decision I, the parent, made for my kid alone. And I resent the government trying to make it for me.

The sad truth is that Reagan was a tool of James Baker. In reality, James Baker was president of the USA from late 1981 until 1984. Limbaugh-lovers and the like hate to admit it but it is true. Pathetically, they are now trying to slap Reagan's name on whatever public facilities they possibly can. Moronic.

But "liberal", you actually support what I'm saying above.
When alcohol is treated with respect and viewed not as a recreational substance but as a complement to meals or as a day-ending way to relax in the evening (in strict moderation), it is NOT problematic for most people (non-alcoholics).
That's the European view on alcohol. It's part of the social/lifestyle fabric. It's not abused nearly so often as it is here in the US.
So what you did with your son is fine in my book and may have been 'therapeutic' in a way, helping him develop a 'proper' view of alcohol.

Well, Liberal, your son is responsible, and he drives on the roadway and gets hit by another person, age 16, impaired. The government didn't make the decision you believe it made ... unless you believe by your actions you can effectively control for what others might do. I'll tune out at this point ... I'm sure no one has changed their views. Have a good day. Ciao