Sobriety is increasingly popular among the younger generations, and if an employee were to drink wine, beer or sparkling wine during their shift, it would probably be dealt with very quickly.
So working life has sobered up, but alcoholic beverages are strongly present in the work colored by diplomatic missions, ministers and high-ranking officials.
However, humid assignments abroad are a thing of the past, says the EU’s press officer Marko Ruonala.
The old world is on its way
Does the temptation to take a nap or two become insurmountable with assignments abroad, when the social control of Finnish society is in its way?
Ruonala shoots down the argument.
– I think it’s the opposite. There will be moderation in the use of alcohol. Nowadays, you don’t go abroad after free booze, Ruonala laughs.
He has worked, among other things, as an EU press officer since the beginning of the 2000s.
– In my own youth in the 1980s, the intake of alcohol was limited and therefore alcohol was seen as interesting. In Belgium, the alcohol culture is like a margarine package, he describes.
With his comparison, Ruonalan means that in Central Europe, alcohol is treated more casually: it is not something that should be sought after or wondered about.
To a meeting, to wine and back to work
Ruonala, who works in the EU, says that the working days are long and the pace of work hard in the EU quarter of Brussels.
For many, representative meetings are just a stop on the way from one meeting to another. Usually, work continues after the evening events.
Ruonala says that he has not seen Finnish delegation members drunk at EU events.
– In today’s world, heavy alcohol consumption simply wouldn’t fit into a demanding job description, he states.
According to the press officer, Finland has become more European in many ways in recent years. The attitude towards celebrations has also changed.
They are seen as important networking places and not as free booze parties.
In later years, the former president of the European Commission by Jean-Claude Juncker the alleged alcohol use spoke in public.
In 2018, in connection with the NATO meeting, material was spread online showing how the vacillating chairman of the commission was escorted out of the event.
British gossip press (you switch to another service) according to Juncker was drunk at the event. The EU Commission and Juncker denied the claims.
The EU’s Ruonala says that in the past the alcohol consumption of politicians and ministers could be overlooked.
However, the situation is changing.
Juncker’s successor, current President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen is known for his strict line when it comes to alcohol.
In today’s world, the actions of those in power are precisely blamed, and alcohol consumption at work or even on leisure is not considered good.
The culture change would also seem to be told by, for example, how detailed the minister is Mika Lintilän (central) alleged alcohol use in official duties has been discussed in the media.
has also reported on allegations that Lintilä would have appeared drunk in his duties as a minister and representative of the state. Lintilä denies his attached claims.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the Civil Service Act of the Government obliges civil servants to behave as required by their position.
The law does not specifically outline the use of alcohol on assignments abroad, for example at airports or hotels, but each civil servant is seen to be responsible for his own behavior.
However, the basic rule is that it is not allowed for a civil servant to appear intoxicated during working hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
In a foreign mission, this requirement also extends outside of office hours, i.e. the diplomat is expected to appear in accordance with his position even in his free time. In addition, abroad, the country’s culture dictates what is appropriate behavior.
Getting drunk is a mistake in etiquette
‘s EU correspondent Rikhard Husu has been to several EU events, in which Finnish MEPs have also participated.
According to Husu, it is common for alcohol to be served at evening events in the EU.
– For example, wine, sparkling wine and beer can be offered at welcome events, but also non-alcoholic options such as water and juice.
According to Ruonala, it is a general practice in the EU that no alcohol is drunk at meetings, but wine can be served at ministerial council lunches and working dinners.
In addition, it is customary to clink sparkling wine on festive occasions, such as when the country of the presidency changes.
According to Husu, at EU events, everyone is supposed to use alcohol at their own discretion.
Consuming alcohol does not involve getting drunk on purpose, and in Central Europe getting drunk is considered a breach of etiquette.
– I think that partly because of the strict alcohol policy in Finland, people think more that society is responsible even when they have drunk themselves, Husu reflects.
Can non-alcohol be a part of celebrations in the future?
According to Ruonala and Husu, at least so-called “sober curiosity” has not yet affected the catering of EU events.
The term refers to a popular phenomenon among young people, which calls into question entrenched drinking habits.
According to Ruonala, it may be due to the fact that young people are a vanishingly small part of the EU’s various bodies.
As another reason, he cites the French administrative culture, which has a strong influence on the EU’s operating methods.
France is a wine country, and wine is an inseparable part of French culture. Among other things, it shapes how representative meetings look like.
– It would be strange if a Frenchman served dinner to his guests without wine. Wine is an important part of, for example, the French food industry. Finland is not a wine country, so the approach to wine in Finland is different, Ruonala summarizes.
Husu reflects that it can be difficult for Finns to understand that in Belgium a person is still seen as fit to drive and capable of making decisions, even if he has had a glass of bubbly.
Also, no one asks or asks if you take a non-alcoholic option at the event.