Originally Posted by
franie 
What a smoke screen - the fact that you think that his European culture does not see drinking too much as serious does not mean that it is not a problem. And the points programme you speak about is not one that is well know or followed by many (if anybody). It is an excuse for him and for you. I am European and work in public policy and have a research doctorate in public health and disagree that this is part of European Culture. I do not mean to be harsh - I have/had a drink problem and I know all the excuses and recognise this as being one.
As a Brit living in Italy, I am profoundly conscious of what a serious alcohol problem there is in the UK. It is viewed as the "drinking man of europe" and regularly embarasses it when travelling abroad. It is perfectly evident that successive governments in the UK have absolutely no idea what to do about this very serious issue. It would therefore seem unwise to use a broad brush approach to the whole of Europe.