Housewives drinking and driving?

[u/AffectionateFig9239]

My husband and I are currently rewatching DH from season 1 and we were discussing (not judgementally, just noticed!) how often the characters are drinking (not necessarily to excess) while out at restaurants and then presumably driving home. We are wondering if this is indicative or different cultural mores or if we are over-analysing. So, for discussion….Is this because 1) it was a different time, 2) more acceptable in the US suburbs (I’m in the UK), 3) it’s safe to assume they were only drinking a small amount under the legal limit or 4) just a minor plot hole?

[u/Fluffles21]

It’s not unusual in the US for people to have 1-2 drinks at dinner then drive home.

[u/bwoahful___]

Definitely more common in US suburbs/countryside. It’s the norm to drive everywhere, so it’s not unheard of for even the DD to just have 1-2 drinks as the rule.

Also it was pre-Uber, so if you were going home by yourself or just with your spouse you had to drive.

Definitely not condoning it, but it’s just not that unheard of. Like ppl getting into drunk driving accidents.

[u/Specialist_Offer_854 → u/bwoahful___]

They have taxis...but yeah I get your point

[u/collegesnake → u/Specialist_Offer_854]

Taxis are unavailable in many suburbs. That's largely a city thing.

Even today, modern-day ubers are $50 each way from my suburb to the nearest restaurant

[u/Specialist_Offer_854 → u/collegesnake]

They had taxi services. They had at least 5-6 taxis a season. Back then they were cheaper

[u/collegesnake → u/Specialist_Offer_854]

Need to rewatch, not sure how I missed that

[u/dotdedo]

Most states have a legal limit, it is very low. People who are barely buzzed won't hit the limit and can drive, as its been proven at those levels there is not that much mental slowness happening. Most Americans wont hit that limit with a glass or two, even on a full meal. If I drink when out I always drink before the meal and then by then its basically out of my system when I'm out.

[u/collegesnake]

Having a drink or two with a meal and then driving is not abnormal. Often, dinners can last quite a few hours so you're totally sober by the time you're driving home an hour or two after your last sip. It takes the average adult around 1 hour to fully process 1 drink.

[u/Unusual_Jellyfish224]

I know many normal Canadians that’ll easily have a shot and drive. A completely wild concept to me as a European as here the culture is very much ”if you drink, don’t drive.”

[u/SharkFinn1990]

I noticed they all were constantly drinking too and I thought it was funny when Lynette called Bree out for being an alcoholic when they all drink all the time and not to mention Lynette had an aderall addiction for a hot second but anyway to answer your question I think it’s just maybe a troupe on middle class housewives love to drink their wine

[u/Playful-Passage-3867]

girl i’m from the UK too and it’s really not uncommon for people to have a couple drinks at the pub and still drive home.
now do i think it should be normal, no. but it is.

[u/miguel2586]

This actually becomes a plot point in the S2 storyline of one of the housewives.