The social world of drinkers: A study of waged workers drinking in urban Delhi

ABSTRACTThis paper is an ethnographic study of waged workers drinking in public spaces in urban Delhi. It focused on drinking practices among waged workers in the parking space of a market. The distinguishable feature of drinking in public spaces among waged workers was the use of tactics to evade police or consume alcohol uncaught. Sustaining participation in such leisure activities in public spaces leads to a social world of drinkers among waged workers where professional bonds are forged, friendships are made, and networks of contacts are extended among the workers. This paper suggests that such legislation on drinking in public spaces could (re)consider the practice of drinking in moderation that maintains public propriety in the policymaking process rather than synonymizing it with impropriety.KEYWORDS: Drinkingpublic spacesocial worldwaged workersView correction statement:Correction Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThe research was funded by the University Grant Commission (UGC), Government of India through Junior Research Fellowship.