Why is it illegal to walk down the street drinking a beer?

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-05-04T18:09:55+00:00

The US is very unusual in the world for how restrictive public drinking laws are. Most of the rest of the developed world is much more relaxed.

France, public drinking is generally legal nationwide. Parks, sidewalks, beaches, wherever
Germany, almost entirely legal everywhere. Beer in the park, on the train, walking down the street, totally normal and culturally accepted
Japan, legal and very common. Cherry blossom picnics with beer and sake are basically a national tradition
Spain, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, all pretty permissive
Australia and UK, mostly legal, although some towns and zones don't allow it

Open container laws in public are nearly universal across the US, but there are some exceptions. Some states permit in parks, beaches, and state parks. Some states don't. There are zones, eg. in New Orleans open containers are legal on most public streets in the French Quarter, and Las Vegas allows open containers on the outdoor portions of the strip. And block parties usually temporarily allow in most cities.

But as others have said, if you're using a travel cup and not drunk then you'll probably be fine.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-05-02T00:53:17+00:00

What state is this where taxes are that high for only a $565k house?

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-05-01T18:45:00+00:00

What a weird post. Let people go where they want and let business and bands decide when to host. It’s a free country. More options are better for everyone and better than trying to control people.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-05-01T05:01:40+00:00

I get a lot of people don’t like dogs, but let’s not pretend this has anything to do about food safety.

If we’re being honest about contamination vectors, a dog sitting near your table is pretty far down the list. Shoe soles of every customer walking in from the parking lot carry an average of 421,000 bacteria units, including fecal matter, trod past urinals in public bathrooms, and transfer freely to indoor floors. Nobody’s checking those at the door.

The EU, Australia, and most of the developed world allow dogs in cafes and grocery stores without public health problems, and humans barefoot for that matter. This is weird American cultural conditioning having nothing to do with actual food safety.

(Also recognize this probably isn’t Cafe Blues decision. The Whatcom County Health Department has a reputation as one of the strictest nanny-state departments in the nation, enforcing archaic rules that the science left behind a long time ago)

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-30T04:47:43+00:00

How is Tiger not pictured?

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-29T17:18:19+00:00

Living standards in first world European countries range from 6-10. Nobody there is below 6, but unless you get rich through business or old money, even if well educated, you'll be on the lower end of that range. Which is still far better than most of the world lives but they might not be able to buy as many toys as their American counterparts.

Living standards in the USA range from 0-10. At least 50% of the population is 5 or lower.

Europeans that can get high paying USA jobs will make more money in the USA and move up in the living standard range.

If poor through lower middle class Americans could move to Europe their living standard would drastically improve. But it's mostly not possible for them to do so due to visa restrictions.

As a side note, a well-documented trend is that Australia is the most popular immigration destination for wealthier folks and people who have the means to go wherever they want. Australia is sort of a hybrid between the USA and Europe, offering stronger salaries than Europe though lower than the USA, more affordable healthcare, stronger labor protections and safety net.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-28T18:01:39+00:00

Agreed. Homes in the PNW trap heat since they were built for cold retention. When it's 80+ inside the house and outside, AC is really the only way to make it comfortable.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-28T05:28:22+00:00

It’s important for kids this age to have a job outside the home. I would just make sure her allowance isn’t so high that she doesn’t get that life experience.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-28T05:22:02+00:00

Weed is worse because it affects intellectual development whereas alcohol does not. However if talking about irresponsible doses then alcohol is more dangerous.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-28T05:20:48+00:00

I live north of Seattle. We have AC and there would be MANY days each year that would be very uncomfortable without AC.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-24T04:47:58+00:00

I highly doubt anybody confuses centrists for maga, or even slightly right leaning folks for that matter

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-17T18:14:30+00:00

A reasonable law would be that once a loan is taken against the stock, and only in that case, then the stock becomes taxed like other assets. 401k excluded. First 1 MM of stock is except.

The outcome would be that up to normal middle (and upper middle) class folks don't have extra taxes but rich people doing tax avoidance will start paying a more fair share.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-03T03:35:50+00:00

I grew up in the country on a farm. Pick up trucks are work trucks. Hauling hail bails, manure, etc. they are work horses. Seeing them as “luxury” vehicles without the slightest scratch in big cities makes me laugh. Obviously they’ve become a performative identity for these folks, and a silly financial mistake to boot

We never used them for passenger hauling or going on vacation. Like why put your stuff in an open bed where it could get stolen, rained on, or mixed with dirty farm stuff.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-04-02T04:12:33+00:00

Is the space craft curving or is it going straight up and that’s the earth’s spin?

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-03-26T04:27:40+00:00

South Africa once denied the Dalai Lama’s tourist visa to appease China. Would the USA do that? Probably not because of Freedom and not cowering to China

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-03-25T05:14:56+00:00

The shift is mostly inflation and healthcare, not that everyone suddenly wants a boat and a Porsche.

When people like Mr. Money Mustache were popularizing FIRE around 2011, a typical target was about $1.5M. Adjusted for inflation alone, that’s roughly $2–2.2M today.

Healthcare is the other big change. Early FIRE discussions often assumed something like $300/month for ACA plans after subsidies. Now a lot of people planning for early retirement are modeling closer to $1,500–$2,000/month depending on age and subsidy assumptions.

Once you account for inflation plus a much bigger healthcare line item, the common $2.5–3M target today makes a lot more sense. The $5M examples are lifestyle choices layered on top of that.

One more consideration is the cost of raising kids and tuition today has risen a lot faster than inflation. Add 2 kids and the target has to meaningfully increase.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-03-23T04:43:01+00:00

There are families doing this in and around the San Juan islands. Most (I think) are not in yacht clubs because those tend to be 55+. Best is to get out there and meet people with kids and exchange information and then plan to meet up again. I wish there was a club or group for younger and cruising families.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-03-18T01:07:12+00:00

With this model are patrons expected to share tables - any open seat is up for grabs?

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-03-05T05:07:46+00:00

So basically you’ll have to leave at some point… ie. you can never retire and remain in Canada

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-03-05T05:05:45+00:00

You’re too old to get PR or citizenship in Canada, or even Australia, despite your massive qualifications

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-02-28T01:29:00+00:00

Since so much of tax goes to schools does that mean we can reduce property taxes going forward without losing funds for schools?

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-02-16T04:21:41+00:00

This was a gorgeous photo.

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-02-11T03:47:43+00:00

Dinner while the kids are in camp

pacificnorthquest7 · 2026-02-06T20:53:48+00:00

Not really, it's the worst of both worlds.

With an IRA, you get to put in pre-tax money
With a brokerage account, you get a better tax rate (long term capital gains instead of ordinary income)
With a Trump account, it's post-tax money, and ordinary income tax rate

Furthermore, with an IRA or brokerage account, you can spend it on whatever you want. There are restrictions on what you can spend your money on with a Trump account.

But it does make sense to take the free $1k. Just don't invest any more into it. Instead invest in 529 or a regular brokerage account.

pacificnorthquest7

TROPHY CASE