Alcohol use helps boost income: study

[Herman Munster]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060914/hl_afp/afplifestylehealthalcohol

WASHINGTON (AFP) - People who consume alcohol earn significantly more at their jobs than non-drinkers, according to a US study that highlighted "social capital" gained from drinking.

The study published in the Journal of Labor Research Thursday concluded that drinkers earn 10 to 14 percent more than teetotalers, and that men who drink socially bring home an additional seven percent in pay.

"Social drinking builds social capital," said Edward Stringham, an economics professor at San Jose State University and co-author of the study with fellow researcher Bethany Peters.

"Social drinkers are out networking, building relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries that result in bigger paychecks."

[NVMojo]

1. damn, I don't know what to say ...

[Bluebear]

2. No wonder the Bush clan is 'loaded'. nt

[SmokingJacket]

3. Err....

Correlation does not equal causality.

Maybe people with more money to throw away drink more.

What I'd like to see is a study of two groups of people -- non-drinkers. Then, you get one group to start drinking. Does their income increase? That would be a lot more definitive about the benefits of drinking.

[Deja Q]

4. Given the price of alcolholic beverages, I am not surprised.

Gotta do more to drink more.

:hide:

[SteppingRazor]

5. Maybe so, but however much more drinkers earn...

I guarantee you that, after paying their bar tabs, they still wind up with less net pay than teetotalers.

[Recursion]

6. Well, you have to earn to drink, right...?

Maybe I'd work more overtime if I went to the bar more?

Though, come to think of it, I've met four of my clients at the bar, which I guess was their point.

[nomo]

7. Which drink will get you the biggest raise?

That's what I'd like to know.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. I have a very, very, very dirty mind. And that's all I'm gonna say. -nt

[Flirtus]

8. Yee Haw!

Going out to-nite! Gonna get Rich! and Plastered!

[bluestateguy]

9. I don't think there is a causal relationship between the two

Drinking costs a lot of money. To have a lot of money requires you to have a good job.

[Maine-ah]

10. hm....

I consume alcohol at my job, I should be making a butt-load more money. (I sell wine for a living.)

[Jackpine Radical]

11. You could probly discover the same relationship betw golf & income.

People make contacts & schmooze each other on the golf course as well.

As a non-drinker (these days) and non-golfer, I guess I'm destined not to get rich.

[demnan]

12. I'm sure the importance of networking

is the main reason why. A friend of mine joined a professional association because he is looking for a new job. He's trying to network with other people in his field. They go out and have a beer once a week. I think if they went out and had orange juice it wouldn't make any difference, its the networking that's important.

[kurth]

13. Yeah, most alcoholics are millionaires

because the social capital generated by the amount of alcohol.

[soothsayer]

18. well, most millionaires are alcoholics at least...!

[devilgrrl]

15. What a pile of crap!

I thought playing golf helped boost income.

[ConcernedCanuk]

16. They got it backward, - people who MAKE more money drink more

.
.
.

And I think alot of that drinking is so they can handle the shit they put up with, and/or dish out to make their outrageous salaries.

Kills the conscience part of the mind a bit methinks . . .

[William769]

17. I got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale too!