I just don't get the use of the continental drinking argument. I am French and I keep hearing about how in France, Spain etc Children are behaved in restaurants and bars. In my experience children get taken out on very limited occasions and people will not go out drinking with friends and bring their children with them. Children learn about the family oriented style socialising/eating/drinking in family celebrations only: weddings, Christmas, family parties, family holiday etc. My parents have never taken me out to a bar and my family in France with children now would not take children in bars at all let alone pass their bedtime. This is not really culturally acceptable in France. I have only seen people drinking in bars with toddlers in this country. Now that does not meant that French people do not socialise through drinking. The culture of the aperitif is of course very strong: "aperitif" is drinking with friends before a main meal and takes place in the house not a bar. You invite friends and family over and drink for a few hours before either sharing a meal or everyone going to their own home to have a main meal. Therefore drinking is not associated with getting drunk and the fact that a meal follows with stop all that binge drinking culture. Children learn during aperitif that they have to leave the adults alone and usually will go an play in their bedroom or the garden.