I’m a fan of obscure factoids. I’m also a fan of strange factoids. (no, I’m NOT a fan of trivial pursuit) These two things lead to looking up weird, even strange, laws throughout the United States. In case you are not aware, most states have strange laws because its easier to leave them there than to devote legislative time to removing them. Being we are based in Texas, I just happened to be looking up some of the weird laws still on the books here, when I ran across this gem.
“In Texas: It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing”
WHAT?? You have GOT to be kidding me, right? Come on now, I’ve chugged countless beers in my adulthood and if that makes me a criminal, then so be it! It seems crazy to me that there could even BE such a law as to regulate the way a person consumes something, much less alcohol. Isn’t one of the reasons that being an adult and making your own decisions is cool? Then to be managed like this! And, this law only applies to beer? I think that’s a discrimination case if ever I heard one! AARRGGHHHH…
Ok, well, let me calm down a bit and think about this. So maybe there is a reason for this law… lets explore that line of thinking. Follow me if you will…
Scenario 1. Man in a bar, standing. Drinking a beer, takes four sips and dribbles some on the floor. Another person walks by, slips on the spill, cracks their skull on the floor. Man is guilty of negligent homicide and sentenced to 30 years. Likely? Probably not.
Scenario 2. Woman in a club, standing. Woman takes three sips, then gets daring and takes a fourth, spilling on her blouse. Woman stains her blouse and sues the club for overfilling her drink. Law enacted to stop frivolous lawsuits. Possible? Nah.
Scenario 3. Two lawmakers sitting around one night talking. One says “I saw my wife standing and talking to this guy in the bar the other night and they were drinking a beer…it was awful”. Second one asks, “How long were they standing there talking?”. First one replies, “For at LEAST four sips, then they left together”. Probable? Yeah.
Silly, strange laws get passed all the time, I’m sure. And sure, they probably were meant to regulate some problem, but come on…three sips? And only beer?
Hhmmm…maybe I should start a petition to get this law revoked. Who’s with me?
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