Cocaine addiction rarely ends well and signs of heavy use are fairly obvious - sweating, fidgeting, unfocused babbling, dilated pupils, runny nose, jaw movement, teeth grinding etc. Cocaine's no fun without alcohol anyway. It just makes you all nervous and paranoid. IMO most would much rather put up with a drunk. Sounds like the perfect way to get fired.

London Cocktail Week - tequila tasting at 1pm today. It would be rude to turn down an invitation.

Huh? I don't know anybody who uses cocaine at work. Where did you hear such a thing?

Caffeine is another story entirely.

I enjoy a beer or two over lunch from time to time, but I generally only do this when I have a large gap in the middle of my day and have multiple hours to kill between meetings on the road.

When I was UK-based, a pint or two at the pub for lunch was not at all uncommon, although not a daily occurrence.

Not while I'm working. Quite often on my own time.

Not meant so seriously, still, cocaine use per capita is highest or second highest globally in the United States, I believe.

Also, at least in certain parts of Europe, I do believe Americans have had the reputation of rather turning to recreational drugs than alcohol as their preferred vice.

yuck, I can't stand alcohol... some 420 w/lunch is good though :p

Proximity explains a lot of the high cocaine use IMO ! Speed is probably the bigger problem since it's stronger, cheaper, & harder to kick. No place in Europe has a 1500 mile border with Mexico. For Americans, the big deal right now is pharmaceutical abuse - Viocodin, Xanax, Oxycontin, Ritalin, Adderal etc.

Not trying to ride the high horse, sorry about that. Pharma abuse is a big deal in Europe as well, seen that in my grandparents generation especially...

As for drinking at lunch, in the Europe and US only occasionally and on weekends if not required by business partners or customers. Also, if a friend wants to have wine or beer when having a casual lunch, who am I to say no?

In Asia, it comes with the job now and then. No way you are doing office work after a Chinese or Korean lunch banquet. The former and when with government officials, are the worst. Barely able to recover before dinner.

Agree, that the present US model is good from an effectivity and health point of view, but social drinking has it's merits as well.

This is my last week at my current job, as I've accepted a position with another firm. It seems that every day this week, someone is taking me out for lunch. :) Each person is encouraging me to drink with lunch! Why???

Because YOU can. Maybe they're jealous.

My current employer could still fire me!

They're hoping you'll spill some juicy gossip?

Nah, they just want you to loosen up and get loose on the dance floor :D

LOL, no, probably not. I tried to stay out of office politics. :)
:D Trust me, that's the last thing anyone wants to see!