Dear All,
Whilst alcohol has in the past been blamed for absenteeism and lack of
performance and success/productivity of mining ventures one way or another, I
wonder whether one aspect has ever been considered.
If one looks back to the last century and beyond, I wonder how much
consideration has been given to the fact that alcohol has in fact been contributory
to the success of same? Alcohol has always been regarded as the miners 'bain',
however, when one considers the miners 'lot', it was not up to much one way
and another: very particularly if suffering from cold or flu or other minor
ailments... what else was one supposed to do - put yourself into such a
hypothetical situation.
1). You have a family to keep on a breadline.
2). You are ill with something you have seen others get over - one way or
another
3). You know that alcohol makes you feel better.....................
4). And if you take same and work with same you can get through the working
day a bit easier................
Now, in today's world, we know what all this means, because we feel it
ourselves, but in the past..............................?
How much of a supposed alcohol problem was due to 'an alcohol problem' as
opposed to a way to get through the day to day toil necessary to keep the Family
going??? How much of it was a way just to keep 'spirits' up to keep going.
It just makes one wonder??????????? No excuse these days, but in the
past........... I wouldn't have liked to have been there.
Just some thoughts while I have an irritating cold!
Regards, Bernard
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