Originally Posted by Bagette

Heh, I also work for the US government. We are exempt from furlough (not "excepted" but "exempt") because we have money left over from last year or some such thing, so we are working ... This Friday, all day, is our unit's annual Oktoberfest. There's a beer making contest. There are even designated drivers for Oktoberfest ... Our mid-week, mid-day Christmas party has a cash bar. Our mid-week, mid-day summer luau has alcohol ...

I'm not saying that drinking at lunch is a regular occurrence around my office - it isn't - but there are situations where it is completely appropriate, and no one bats an eye.