Illinoisians, Missourians prefer to start drinking just before 3 p.m. survey says
Dominic Genetti, Digital Reporter
A survey shows people in Illinois and Missouri prefer to start drinking just before 3 p.m. during the holiday season.
Yutacar
Well, it's almost 3 o'clock somewhere.
The rule of thumb is 5 o'clock, but apparently during the holiday season people in Illinois and Missouri prefer to "get their drink on" just before the bells toll 3 p.m.
According to a survey by Detox.net, Illinoisans pop their tops and fill their glasses beginning at 2:59 p.m. Just across the Mighty Mississippi River in Missouri, they like to get the party started a little earlier at 2:41 p.m.
And there are those who will admit they take a little nip from the bottle before lunchtime over the holidays too. Illinois came in at 16% while Missouri came in a little behind at 14%.
Alaskans begin drinking earliest over the festive period at 12:30 p.m. while households in Hawaii prefer to wait until just before the evening hits to start drinking at 4:11 p.m, according to the release.
Though it may be fun to celebrate Christmas morning with a mimosa, Detox.net details some of the many dangers associated with drinking alcohol first thing in the morning below:
It can become a habit. The festive period, from Thanksgiving through NYE, includes meet-ups with friends and other opportunities for someone to create a habit of drinking earlier in the day. Whether it's a mimosa at breakfast or eggnog mid-morning, it's easy for alcohol to become a mainstay in the days leading up to the end of the year.
You can get dehydrated easily. Unlike summer, whereby warmer temperatures make you more inclined to drink water, the festive period is not one typically associated with rehydration. You are more likely to be offered an array of festive drinks such as mimosas, eggnogs, hot toddy's and hot buttered rums, rather than water. If you are going to keep drinking, make sure to drink water in between Christmas cocktails.
You drink way more than you notice. Drinking earlier in the day, such as kicking things off with a wassail, means you'll likely be drinking far more than you realize. No matter what time you begin, it is a good idea to set a limit for yourself and stick to it.
You are more likely to end up in the ER. Beyond the direct effects of drinking too early in the day, doing so also risks ending up in the hospital. Being more intoxicated increases your risks of accidents happening, and no one wants to end up in the ER on Christmas Day.
Dominic Genetti
Dominic Genetti was born and raised in St. Louis and has been in the media industry since 2003. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwest Missouri State University, and has covered a variety of subjects including hard news, courts, enterprise features, and sports. From 2011 to 2013, Genetti wrote a syndicated baseball column that published daily throughout the country. He was also awarded the "Community Service" award from the Missouri Press Association for his efforts to bring light to a historic cemetery in disrepair in Hannibal, Missouri. Multimedia coverage is also part of Genetti's repertoire. In 2011 he was named the GateHouse Media Videographer of the Year. Genetti has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Iowa, Texas, and Illinois.