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Alcohol use helps boost income: study (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060914/hl_afp/afplifestylehealthalcohol)

Thu Sep 14, 6:44 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - People who consume alcohol earn significantly more at their jobs than non-drinkers, according to a US study that highlighted "social capital" gained from drinking.

The study published in the Journal of Labor Research Thursday concluded that drinkers earn 10 to 14 percent more than teetotalers, and that men who drink socially bring home an additional seven percent in pay.

"Social drinking builds social capital," said Edward Stringham, an economics professor at San Jose State University and co-author of the study with fellow researcher Bethany Peters.

"Social drinkers are out networking, building relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries that result in bigger paychecks."

The authors acknowledged their study, funded by the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank, contradicted research released in 2000 by the Harvard School of Public Health.

"We created our hypothesis through casual observation and examination of scholarly accounts," the authors said.

"Drinkers typically tend to be more social than abstainers."

The researchers said their empirical survey backed up the theory, and said the most likely explanation is that drinkers have a wider range of social contacts that help provide better job and business opportunities.

"Drinkers may be able to socialize more with clients and co-workers, giving drinkers an advantage in important relationships," the researchers said.

"Drinking may also provide individuals with opportunities to learn people, business, and social skills."

They also said these conclusions provide arguments against policies aimed at curbing alcohol use on university campuses and public venues.

"Not only do anti-alcohol policies reduce drinkers' fun, but they may also decrease earnings," the study said.

"One of the unintended consequences of alcohol restrictions is that they push drinking into private settings. This occurred during the Alcohol Prohibition of 1920-1933 and is happening on college campuses today. By preventing people from drinking in public, anti-alcohol policies eliminate one of the most important aspects of drinking: increased social capital."

The researchers found some differences in the economic effects of drinking among men and women. They concluded that men who drink earn 10 percent more than abstainers and women drinkers earn 14 percent more than non-drinkers.

However, unlike men, who get a seven percent income boost from drinking in bars, women who frequent bars at least once per month do not show higher earnings than women drinkers who do not visit bars.

"Perhaps women increase social capital apart from drinking in bars," the researchers said in an effort to explain the gender gap.

Fuck, I should be making VP any day now then.

There is a difference between drinking outside of college and drinking in college. Most people - the vast majority of college goers - drink for one of 3 reasons: 1. Get Laid, 2. Get Smashed, 3. Get Stupid. Oh, and then the other one - because Mom wouldn't let them at home. Most workers drink to blow off steam, stay off edge, and spend time with friends. It's a pretty effective way - even in moderation (i.e. not getting drunk) to stay stable and social. Despite what emo kids may say, being around other people (even if I despise them), keeps me happier than I would be sitting at home alone in my room wondering what people are doing.

Essentially, drinking didn't increase anyone's income, rather happiness did. Someone needs to pay me to make up a study. I'm pretty confident that you could base this study on any vice and achieve the same results. Smokers are definately more social than non-smokers (having been part of both crowds). They're also more generous with other things (aside from friendliness) - tips and such. But most importantly, a smoker has a constant outlet with which to blow off steam. I mean, that's the really important thing here, right? Not being an uptight asshole gets you a raise. There, I found the answer.

I agree with the summary of this study from my own point of view.  Those that go home immediately after work everyday and never do anything with people on the weekend suffer on the job.  When it comes time to decide who should join teams, be promoted, go on trips, etc., the drinking buddies will come to mind first.  I know some that will NOT do anything with coworkers outside of work and do well, but they make up for it by working insane hours and extra time kissing the bosses' asses.  Hey, if you can do both, you've got it made!

Now, "drinking buddy" in the coporate world is different than many would like to label.  Typically, these drinking sessions will only last an hour or less and include 1-2 drinks.  Yes, there are those that take this to the extreme, but the successful people know that your tongue gets loose and the more conversation that occurs in this state the worse it will get for yourself.  I've seen way too many people show their ass and regret it.  You can really screw up your social contract with the workfoce with just a few bad phrases to the wrong people.

Realistically, the best solution is to not drink or just have one and nurse it.  Buy drinks for other people and they'll never know you aren't "really" drinking.  You will be in control and be able to remember things better the next day.  Some of the information you get in those "meetings" can really help later on.

Schild, I disagree with your smoking comment.  Most smokers in my circles are not looked at as ideal employees unless they limit their smoking to after work only.  If they do not know how to control their smoking, they smell bad and are not comfortable to be around.  They take multiple breaks throughout the day, more than others, and typically it is in areas outside where customers can see them as well as the bosses.  It isn't a good position for them.

The image of somebody sitting on their ass smoking a cigarette is the complete opposite of the hard worker whether it is true or not.  Smoking as well as drinking has its place and time, which is preferably well outside of work and seldom.  I know many smokers that control this quite well.  You wouldn't know they smoked except they will tell you or you catch them doing it at the bar after work.  I certainly won't buy them cigarettes, but I'd buy them a drink even if it were just Coke. (Drinks don't have to be alcoholic.)

I have to admit that since I've stopped smoking, I can't stop smelling myself.   :-)

That's it. I am bringing a biopsy of my liver to my next performance review. That should be worth more than 5%!

Forget the biopsy. Just pull out a whisky bottle, Swearingen-style. Pour a couple shots and discuss your performance!

If you can actually smell so good that people enjoy an active sniff, you'll get that next raise for sure!  Self gratification is just the icing on top.

That is part of it, but the big factor here is the famous "It's not what you know, it's who you know" that comes into play.  If the higher-ups smoke, you can get points by going to the smoker's region with them.  So yeah, it's parallel in that sense.  Pretty much it will work if the people you are trying to ingratiate yourself with ski and you see them in Vail; they think "Hey, that Schild guy, he's alright." /dangerfield

^ What he said.

No one is higher than me.

Points? Hanging out with co-workers to simply be visible? No thanks. I don't need a promotion that bad.

Based on the cost of drinking anything besides cheap beer in bars, those people probably spend a good chunk of that 7% raise there.

I'm surprised that noone (unless I missed it) touched on the notion that maybe "successful" people drink because of depression and or stress.  Most "successful" people work in high stress positions and often have substance-related issues to help cope with that stress.  Look at the top paying jobs and the rates of substance abuse and depression among them.  That shows a correlation as well.  I like this spin though... it's so much more trendy.

I find this easy to believe.

I also think Nebu has a point.  I think it's some of both, with the hard-working people being the hard-playing people, and that they like having underlings/yes-men/tagalongs.