> Like a lot of things, I think coffee is fine if you're adult about it. We've got quite a lot of coffee in our Chicago office...

(I'm sorry, did I misquote your misquote?) Just because some things aren't fine if you're adult about it, doesn't make all things inappropriate at the office.

Why would you have coffee in the office? What about all the people who can't drink coffee, because of their religious beliefs(Mormons), or because they have cardiovascular conditions which prevent them from intaking coffee?

> If their work is done (it has to be since you can't work after beer) why don't they go home to their family and kids?

It seems you have a very unhealthy relationship with beer. You seem to think that the only reason to drink beer is to get drunk. Are you really saying that it isn't possible to work after drinking one beer? And are you really saying that people who are parents shouldn't be wasting their time socializing with coworkers, and they need to just shuttle immediately from the office to their family once work is done?

> You seem to think that the only reason to drink beer is to get drunk.

I'm not saying that and I'm not thinking that either. I don't like beer very much but I drink it occasionally. I prefer wine.

> Are you really saying that it isn't possible to work after drinking one beer?

Yes, I'm saying that, absolutely. You (I) can't do creative thinking (or any kind of thinking) after one glass of alcoholic beverage.

> And are you really saying that people who are parents shouldn't be wasting their time socializing with coworkers, and they need to just shuttle immediately from the office to their family once work is done?

Yes, I'm kind of saying that too. I don't think "socializing with coworkers" is very healthy. Friends are friends, coworkers are coworkers. Just because I'm in an office with other people doesn't make them my "friends".

If friendships develop, then great! and we can meet outside of work. But drinking together while at work but not working, in front of the boss, is not my idea of a good time.

I think it's mostly the boss's idea of a good time; it makes him think he has so many friends! But they're not his friends, he's paying them to be there.

> You (I) can't do creative thinking (or any kind of thinking) after one glass of alcoholic beverage.

I believe you might be incorrect. I recently read that a moderate amount of alcohol (~2 beers, which in my mind is a lot...) led test subjects to perform BETTER at tests of creativity. [1]

You or I might not want to work after having alcohol (I'd rather nap), but apparently it can help some people. It's not inconceivable that one might have some beer, and then go back to work for another hour or so.

1: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/244065.php

Had to jump in here. Just because you have a person preference of complete sobriety whilst working shouldn't mean it's a policy for everyone.

For example: • I work best in the early mornings - does this mean everyone should come in from 5am? • I find it hard to work at a stand-up desk - nobody can use stand up desks anymore, sorry. • I feel drained after going to the gym before work - nobody can go to the gym before work, it will stifle your creative thinking. • Wearing long pants (versus shorts) makes me uncomfortable (i.e. unproductive) - no more long pants in the office.

If they make me unproductive - fine. That's me. As for making it a company issue - tell me which of the above options go beyond personal preference.

Not sure if you're trolling...

Sex is not fine in the workplace thus porn is not fine.

What's wrong with guns at the office? So long as you are complying with all laws I don't see the problem.

What's wrong with coworkers being friends and hanging out for a bit after work on a Friday?

I'm sure RedTube and Smith & Wesson would disagree with you regarding your examples.

What the fuck are you talking about? If someone brought a gun to the office, that would be their last day working with me.

I don't even know what to say about porn in the office. In 19 years working in this field, that is an issue that has never come up (unlike guns).

...?? That was my point exactly? Just because some things are ok "when you're adult about it" don't make them ok at the office.

I'm not advocating bringing guns at the office, I'm advocating not giving free alcohol to your employees!!

I don't see what possible good could come from drinking at work, but I see a lot of bad.

Unless your company offers private offices with headphones,tissues and a strict knock-first policy you can't have porn because it will at best distract and at worst offend the people nearby.

But beer, and people drinking beer and talking louder and louder as they drink, isn't distracting in a place of work?

You can drink a beer at your desk without being having to talk any louder or having to talk at all.

That's not the situation the parent is talking about.

If you mean tptacek's comment, I think that this is exactly the situation he is talking about.