British values?

[Vagabond]

Actually, that is very relevant to this discussion. What is peculiar is that a large proportion of native Americans do metabolise alcohol differently, but they have a genetic makeup which - in white Americans- is associated with a lower risk of alcoholism. And, within their population, those without that genetic makeup are indeed at higher risk. So the gene reduced the chances of being alcoholic in both populations, yet despite it being more common in Native Americans, they have worse rates of alcoholism overall. Why? We don't know. My money would be on their environment, not their genetics.

Good point, I think much the same applies to Australian aboriginals, and to various other races also

 

I remember Norma and I being acutely embarrassed when acting as host/hostess to a lady of Philippine extraction and offering a small sherry which absolutely poleaxed her - it was, apparently the first time she had ever consumed alcohol. Offered and accepted out of politeness, but the effect was we had poisoned our guest !

 

Took a couple of hours, lots of iced water and strong coffee to recover. Fortunately she did not go on to become alcoholic - and still occasionally comes to tea and for a game of Mah Jong.

 

The incident gave us a new insight into the horse-opera adage "Don't sell whisky to the Indians"