Comments on: Britain tests what it hopes will be safer pub glasses

By: GregS

GregS — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:57:30 +0000

To be consistent with the role that government plays in the lives of most people in modern Britain, may I suggest that beer be henceforth served in plastic bottles, with a rubber nipple on one end through which the infant, er British drinker, would suck his drink? More responsible drinkers should be allowed to move on to a more advanced drinking vessel, modeled after the sippy-cup.

By: Richard Nieporent

Richard Nieporent — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:56:52 +0000

I have a modest suggestion. Clearly it is not the container but what is put in it that is the problem. Therefore if they want to cut down on injuries in pubs they should just ban the serving of alcoholic drinks. What could be simpler? Another round of Shirley Temples Barkeeper! Are they also going to only use plastic knives and forks to prevent them from being used as weapons?

By: Moriarty

Moriarty — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:35:49 +0000

Don’t forget that we have nationlised healthcare over here. Any legislation that will reduce those 238-per-day hospital admissions at no cost to the government will always be of interest to the beancounters at the Treasury.

By: Mark Biggar

Mark Biggar — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:08:49 +0000

Of course making them unbreakable makes them better (longer lasting) bludgeons, so this may well be a wash.

By: Soronel Haetir

Soronel Haetir — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:27:58 +0000

On the contrary, the manufacturer of the new glasses has an in with the government. Rent at its finest. After all, how many new glasses are we talking compared with the likely slow rate of normal replacement?

By: Roy B

Roy B — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:29:47 +0000

According to the govt. statistics they are claiming that just over 238 people are being attacked every day of the year, including Saturdays and Sunday. I would also submit that there would be others that are not reported, but 238 injuries a day and their response is to redesign the glasses! Seems a much deeper issue here, maybe the manufacturer is on the outs with those in power?

By: VMS

VMS — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:10:49 +0000

I guess polycarbonate does not have the feel and the weight of traditional glass. It would however meet the objective of preventing a broken glass being used as a weapon, and it is cost effective.

It also has much lower thermal conductivity, and would keep cold beer at drinkable temperature longer. Those Brits, however, drink their beer at room temperature.

Maybe the main problem is the drunken Brits. As the article aptly pointed out, other weapons are readily available for a drunken bar brawl.