Is the pub the best place to talk through your problems? 

According to a recent survey, just over a third, 36%, of people would rather air their grievance down their local with a pint in their hand than anywhere else. 

The Hard Shoulder sent the intrepid Henry McKean to find out. 

His first port of call was Peter’s Pub in Dublin’s North Inner City. 

There, bar man Enda Keogh confirmed that drinkers do still like to discuss their hopes and fears with the man or woman serving them their drink. 

“They do but possibly not as much as they used to,” he said. 

“With mobile phones and that, people get preoccupied with what’s going on their mobile phone. 

“So, they don’t engage quite as much with bar staff.” 

Over the years, Mr Keogh has heard “all sorts of little stories” but there is one particular one that stands out. 

“There was a gentleman who used to come into my father and myself, many, many years ago,” he recalled. 

“He was very regular… and there was a bit of suspicion that he’d come into money.” 

One day, as the man was leaving the pub, he called Enda and his father over and told them he would not be around for several months. 

“I’m going on an around the world tour,” he said. 

“Don’t tell anyone but the rumour was true - I did win the Lotto.” 

Pints of Guinness. Picture by: Pexels.com

But what about the older generation? In the Auld Triangle Pub, Henry met a group of men who were approaching retirement. 

Do they still talk about their problems to bar staff? 

“Yes,” one of them replied.  

“We’re all great friends.” 

Another man said the bar staff were “very nice people”. 

“But I have no issues,” he said. 

“The only issue I have is constant drinking.” 

Despite hailing from the “posh part of Ballymun”, he still likes to come down and drink in the Auld Triangle. 

“It’s the best Guinness in Dublin here,” he said. 

“We’re looking forward to the double dole next week - more Guinness.” 

'Not a hope in hell'

Are things different for a younger generation? One woman who was out with colleagues said the pub is not a place to discuss life’s problems. 

“No, definitely not,” she told Henry. 

“It’s not something that I ever bring to the pub; it’s something you do maybe at home over drinks but not in the pub. 

“You don’t want to bring down the mood - you want to enjoy each other.” 

Would she bring it up with bar staff? 

“Not a hope in hell,” she said.

“That’s not their problem - they’re not psychologists, they’re there to provide a service and we’re there to enjoy their service.”

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Main image: Pals out for pints. Picture by: Alamy.com