"I started this thread in a light hearted mood, I find it unbelievable that any public servant should be allowed to drink on duty, be it traffic control, a housing officer or street cleaner." Richie Black

Had you said anything to that effect at the start, I think it would have been an interesting subject.

I agree with the idea of not drinking on duty, whatever the job.

However, maybe France has simply held on longer to the old-style; there was a time when a 'cup of grog' was not only expected but accepted.