Bathroom Alcohol Warnings – Intended Audience?
I noticed a sign a week or two ago in the men’s restroom at the GingerMan. I thought it was a bit odd, but went about my business (heh, heh). Then last night, I was at a demo at the Hyatt downtown and stopped in a restroom off of the lobby where I encountered a similar sign. I was the only one in there, so I decided to risk looking like a perv and pulled out the camphone to get a shot of the sign…the perils of a citizen journalist.
According to the surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, beer, coolers, and wine during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.
Is this some crazy new law? Are they in women’s restrooms as well? Are they only in bars (or near them anyway, I suppose this one was near the hotel lobby bar)? Is Warren Chisum somehow involved? Why the hell are there warnings targeted at pregnant women and alcohol in the one place where there shouldn’t be any pregnant women with alcohol: a men’s restroom urinal?
It’s just part of the general prohibitionist trend going on in this country. It started with the smokers. Now that War against Smoking is nearly won, the prohibitionists are starting in on drinkers and the overweight. Don’t worry, the the ant-drinkers have a long way to go to catch to the anti-smokers.
I saw one of these in the men’s room at the Hoffbrau a few nights ago, but only the Spanish version.
Maybe there’s been a birth defects related suit against alcohol retailers, and this is the reaction? Of course, the timing of these signs popping up (not long after Sept. 1, when most laws passed in the last lege go into effect) suggests that is due to gov’t sillyness. I’m sure a bar or restaurant manager could inform us.
First, I’d like to welcome back the anonymous cranky smoker (aka not_saying) because FSM knows that any time there’s oppression, it all goes back to smoking.
Scooby, the two signs that I’ve seen were in Spanish and English as well and you’re right about the timing, but I don’t see anything here, maybe it’s local?
Plus, you’d expect them to post these near the liquor license, tax info and firearms signs. I’m wondering why they’re in the restroom and, more specifically, the men’s restroom? Ladies, are they in your privy as well?
Just a little bitter, aren’t you? If I am so cranky, why are so worried about a few signs? After all, it’s just common sense advice, nothing sinister in and of itself.
It appears it’s still voluntary:
http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/syndrom/default.htm
Still don’t know why the stickers would end up in the one place very few women would see (the men’s room).
It is for when you are tagging a pregnant women doggy-style in the men’s room. Just a friendly reminder for her.
After asking the Gman’s mgr. about it yesterday, it actually IS a new law-the TABC evidently requires all bars/restaurants(maybe the 51% rule, I’m not sure) to post it in both bathrooms.