even more reason not to go out at night times

The damage overall caused by drink is appalling - A & E overwhelmed, domestic abuse involving women and children, drunk driving, etc. etc. I was a counsellor and life coach, and in so many of our cases, drink was a big factor...

Even my own lovely husband would become quite nasty and sarcastic after just one drink of strong home made beer, which broke my heart...

Off to our little theatre tonight for Winter poetry, readings & music. Very excited. I find people are very kind & don't mind at all if you ask to accompany them to the car park & will see you safely off. I would feel very sad to miss out on this sort of thing for fear of late nights !

I was at a train station in my nearby town recently at eleven pm.
It was Pride weekend. The atmosphere in town was great, and the station was full of happy party folk.
There were British Transport Police keeping a watchful eye, but they are often there at the weekend ( holiday town)

Kate1949

We love going out for a drink or two at night in pubs that are buzzing. We are old not dead.

Hear, hear! We go out locally at least once a week, walk about a mile to and from our favourite pubs and have never had a problem. We were in our local big city for a show the other night and it was busy but still felt very safe when we got our train just before 11. I was surprised at how many people were using the train and nearly all of them sober - I’m sure they used to be more riotous back in the day! One man had obviously had a few and the guard was lovely with him, finding out which stop he needed and coming back to wake him up and usher him off when we got to it.

Essexgirl145

Judy, it's not down to the employers, it's down to the employees, if they want to go to arrange something between them.

Reading a lot of things on Mumsnet some women would be bleating to HR if a mere make offered to see them to the bus, taxi, home!

Message withdrawn as it quotes a deleted post.

We love going out for a drink or two at night in pubs that are buzzing. We are old not dead.

Deedaa

I don't go out on my own after dark because I can't drive with all the blinding headlights. I'm happy to go out if my daughter wants to drive me.

I'm not keen on those new-style blinding headlights either.

As the last bus to the nearest city leaves at 6pm and the last one back is just after 7pm that doesn't give much time for a night out unless you drive.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

How wonderful and inspiring to read all of your comments - especially from 70s and 80s still getting out and about. Bloody street lighting! It lights up the road and not the pavements. I've walked in the middle of quieter roads to feel safer. As a previous poster says, the lamp part is often hidden by trees and the pavements are cracked open with tree roots. Having said that - I'm quite happy out at night either in company or alone. I should do it more but once you're inside it's so tempting to get cosy with TV and a cuppa in the winter.

I feel that it is the opposite.....there is a good pub near to us - busy with people eating from 6-9pm, but drops off considerably after that, even at the weekend. Most places we go to eat seem to empty out pretty early - no one seems to stay out past 9/10pm. And lost more people out having lunch too. But ours is a small city with 2 universities, and young people are heading out in their droves from 10/11pm onwards, when we are coming home.

I have never really been afraid of travelling alone, or in the evening. I am in London now for a couple of days and regularly cat sit for my daughter in Mile End. I take the normal precautions. But you are risk from thieves at anytime of the day - the trick is not to make it easy for them.

Like some others here, I love theatre, film, socialising etc and wouldn't want to give it up yet. But the new 'energy saving' streetlights in our town are definitely making it harder to see. Especially as they are higher up and often in the branches of the trees in places. The footpath is much less well lit; and its harder to see other people too. But I figure that if I can't see them - they can't see me! I was in an abusive relationship for many years - my own home was certainly the most dangerous place for me to be and I was never afraid when I was out on my own.

Eh?????? What is your point? You are not going out because young people are going out later? How does that affect you? Confused

Just wish I could go out at night, I would have a brilliant time with my mates! Sadly I have 3 adults that I cannot leave so I just dream!

We moved to a town in southern Spain 3 years ago. Me and my dh often go out on foot in the evening for dinner or to hear live music. We’ve never experienced a problem and a good glass of Rioja is only €3.50.

grannysyb

I'm going to Clapham tonight for a book group, train and then about half an hours walk, will be coming home at about 10.30 the sane way. I'm late seventies and quite happy to do this.

You are very brave.

I wouldn’t dream of going out in the evening now: correction : it is a frequent nightmare that I have.

Judy54

Many young people are concerned about going to Christmas work Dos in the evening and getting home safely. Some are asking their Employers to put safety measures in place e.g groups travelling together, sharing taxis etc. It is so sad that the enjoyment of getting together with colleagues is being taken away due to concerns about safety on our streets.

Are there grounds for these fears, or are people becoming more and more afraid needlessly?

I really would like to see statistics.

When I was young in the 1970s, certain areas of Glasgow were considered dangerous as was the entire city on the day of a Rangers-Celtic football match.

There were certainly violent incidents, but once we were old enough to please ourselves, these did not stop us going out. Most girls and young women either took a taxi home, late at night, or arranged to go home in a group of young women, or escorted by some men.

Have things really changed so much, or is it attitudes that have changed?

I don’t go out in the evenings, unless being driven, i cant get a space in my road after 6pm…

Nowhere to go in our village and I find it very hard to be tempted out once it is dark and the log burner is lit! Nice meal and a glass of wine, means we can both enjoy the evening. Last time we were out it was £12 for a glass of wine which buys a very nice bottle for home!

Judy, it's not down to the employers, it's down to the employees, if they want to go to arrange something between them.

infoman

Survey just published stating that Brits are going out later in the evenings than they did before.
I do recall trying to stay out till the sun rose,not any more though.
I will leave that to the young guns now.

Am I correct in assessing your point: "Brits are going out later than before, you recall staying out, now you will leave that to the young?

Oh.

We live quite a distance to London, we go the afternoon Theatre. Solves all our night driving and older sleepy issues.

I’m always hopping into town on the tube from my home in Camden Town, yeah, it is smelly and noisy but the bus is worse and takes longer. Off to the football tonight where I shall be larging it! Keep forgetting I’m 72!

Because its too expensive at 8 quid pint to go out early

Think that a lot of establishments are now open until 2 am may be part of any issues regarding safety. Alcohol is available longer, more drugs used too add these to the inhibitions they can generate in a lot of people others can feel unsafe. Sadly, not everyone bothers to plan how they are going to get home safely.

Judy54

Many young people are concerned about going to Christmas work Dos in the evening and getting home safely. Some are asking their Employers to put safety measures in place e.g groups travelling together, sharing taxis etc. It is so sad that the enjoyment of getting together with colleagues is being taken away due to concerns about safety on our streets.

When I was working in London in the 60s, at any work functions the men always delivered the women to the station, taxi station or bus and saw them onto the transport to ensure they were unmolested on their way home.