Shame Shame Shame Ms. Watson

[Guest]

[Bryanjs14]

This recently popped up online (two days ago I believe) but I am seeing it for the first time. No one really knows if this is fake or real at this point and Emma has not commented on it. Seriously, she is 16...sad to see.

[grecopa]

Hmmm...I think I'll give her the benifit of the doubt on it.  She could have just been goofing off for the camera.  She's only been in show business for a few years and may not be too media savy.  It looks more like a restaurant than a bar, and I don't see any other beer bottles on the table.

[EmmasOneandOnly]

I agree with Kelly, probably goofing off. I doubt they'd serve her beer even if she was this huge star. Most likely the persons taking the picture.

[LikORish-Spider]

I agree with Kelly,probably goofing off. I doubt they'd serve her beer even if she was this huge star. Most likely the persons taking the picture.

She seems to be right handed and you'll notice that there is a glass of juice to her right. She is probably hamming for the camera.

Let he/she who is without sin.....you get the idea.

[ArwenEvenstar]

This recently popped up online (two days ago I believe) but I am seeing it for the first time. No one really knows if this is fake or real at this point and Emma has not commented on it. Seriously, she is 16...sad to see.

Im a big fan of Emma and Im thinking why is everyone making a big deal of Emma drinking an overpriced and imported beer?  Its not like shes passed out in a pool of her own vomit. She's just enjoying herself and it looks like shes only joking around anyway. If it was any other 16 year old no one would care. In my opinion whoever posted these recent pictures to begin with shouldnt have done it. Its an invasion to Emma's privacy.

[Sharon]

I have no idea if this is real / fake or just a joke but everyone needs to remember we have very different laws in the UK about alcohol.  Seeing a 16 year old with a beer is no big deal here.  To me it looks like she is just having a laugh with her mates - good for her 

[ArwenEvenstar]

I have no idea if this is real / fake or just a joke but everyone needs to remember we have very different laws in the UK about alcohol.  Seeing a 16 year old with a beer is no big deal here.  To me it looks like she is just having a laugh with her mates - good for her 

I agree Sharon. Its good to see Em is just a normal teenager and enjoying herself with her mates. 

[EmmasOneandOnly]

I have no idea if this is real / fake or just a joke but everyone needs to remember we have very different laws in the UK about alcohol.  Seeing a 16 year old with a beer is no big deal here.  To me it looks like she is just having a laugh with her mates - good for her 

See, this may shock some Americans because you have to be 21 to drink here

[beckham1]

I am so disappointed I really can't express it :'( Why would she be drinking.....................a Corona 

Now something like an Amstel or a good beer of that nature I can respect, but come on.   

The only thing that makes me think it could be fake is based on how skinny those arms are.  I don't know if she could lift a 12 ounce beer, especially when you have the additional weight of a lime.  She really needs to put on a few pounds or lift some weights

[HPfamily]

I am so disappointed I really can't express it :'( Why would she be drinking.....................a Corona 

Now something like an Amstel or a good beer of that nature I can respect, but come on.   

The only thing that makes me think it could be fake is based on how skinny those arms are.  I don't know if she could lift a 12 ounce beer, especially when you have the additional weight of a lime.  She really needs to put on a few pounds or lift some weights

 
Oh my! Crying again!! 

I agree with everyone else!! I think she's goofing around!! Her lips aren't even ready to take a sip!! She's, like posing, with a smile instead!!
I'm wondering if the person that took the picture is someone she knows. If it were, I would be very disappointed at him/her!!!

[emmafan]

It really is funny how cultural differences impact our perception of events.  Case in point with this picture - Around the world, their would be countless different responses if this picture were to be shown to parents.  I know my mom, for example, would surely frown upon this and complain about the fact that she is only "16 years old! Thats, 1,2,3,4,FIVE years until she is 21!!!" (In case you can't tell, I heard that speech a few times myself).  But of course, that is a typical conclusion in America where the pervasive thought rides that drinking under 21 is a serious no-no.  Our lawmen take these sort of things very seriously and impart heavy punishments, so consequently, our citizens react with proper discord and derision towards these type of things.

Now, if this picture would be shown to a typical parent in a South American Country or, from what I understand, many European countries; that parent might laugh or joke about the image. 

It is obvious that Emma does not look the least bit intoxicated in this picture.  As we have noted, their is no reason to even believe that she has taken a sip of the beer.  (Although I do have my reservations about the 'juice' at her right hand side...... )  It looks like she is having a good, and certainly responsible time with friends.

I don't see any reason to direct any sort of shame towards Emma at all.  I do think that the picture does look very real, however....and whether it was right or not for the picture to be posted - this image does provide a rare look into the private life of Emma.

That being said, I would think it naive to assume that teenagers don't at least experiment with alcohol.  I did always look forward to that small sip of wine or beer that my parents would sneak to me at special occasions.  I think the key word is responsibility, and it does not look that Emma is beyond that word in any way here.

Now, I do have to say....the day a picture winds up in the tabloids of Emma out at a crazy club, dancing and grinding in a revealing dress...then I will issue my shame to her.  But for now, I don't think Emma has done anything to sacrifice her innocent and respectful teen image.

[beckham1]

Now, I do have to say....the day a picture winds up in the tabloids of Emma out at a crazy club, dancing and grinding in a revealing dress...then I will issue my shame to her.  But for now, I don't think Emma has done anything to sacrifice her innocent and respectful teen image.

You sound blinded by love                       JK I have to give all the resident Emma lovers a hard time.

[Roz]

You are 'allowed' to drink beer at 16 here BUT ONLY WITH A MEAL.

I believe so anyway.

And can the Americans who live in '21' States say they never tried alcohol before they were 16... ? What do they do at Church? Cause a scene and snub the vicar??   Blood of Christ?? Not for me 'luv' I'm 16

[rns91294]

And can the Americans who live in '21' States say they never tried alcohol before they were 16... ?

You got me there!  In fact, I think I drank more before I was 21 than after !  At least, i couldhold my alchohol better than anyway

[beckham1]

You are 'allowed' to drink beer at 16 here BUT ONLY WITH A MEAL.

I believe so anyway.

And can the Americans who live in '21' States say they never tried alcohol before they were 16... ? What do they do at Church? Cause a scene and snub the vicar??   Blood of Christ?? Not for me 'luv' I'm 16

I certainly never did Roz   I waited til I was 21   Actually I think most churches serve grape juice instead of wine for communion (at least as far as I know where I grew up).  Also I believe part of the reason is to protect people who have or had drinking problems. 

[emmafan]

As far as I know, most Roman Catholic Churches do actually serve regular wine at services.  I'm not quite certain about Protestant Churches, but the Catholics do like their booze  !!  (Being one, I can certianly attest to it ).   

I do have to say that I have always admired the European stance on alcohol.  My friends and I talk about this alot and I think that America really should reform this policy somehow.  I visited Germany once and was amazed at how differently people viewed alcohol there.  While eating dinner, my 15 year old sister was able to order a small glass of wine.  Now, being that we were with our parents, I'm sure no one saw this as a threating situation.  But in America that would be highly frowned upon. 

But we do have it all wrong here...let me explain the problem as I have witnessed it first hand -

America = 21 to drink obviously.  But overprotective parents can only shield their children for so long.  Inevitably a child will have that opportunity to 'experiment'.  The problem as I see it however, is that students go to the universities at age 17 or 18...their they are expected to work and live innocently beside other students who are of drinking age? HA
It really is a shame, because I have seen many many 18 year old students, fresh from high school, who have been taught nothing of how to drink and be responsible.  Consequently, they are thrown into the environment and go absolutley nuts drinking because they have never done it before.

As it turns out, in my experiance, it is the students who have had small chances to drink before going to the university, that fare better (now certainly this isn't a coverall).  For these individuals, it is not quite such a big deal.

When my father was growing up in Texas, he explained, it was perfectly legal for anyone to drink at any age as long as they were with a parent.  So he said he was 8 years old when his dad took him out to a bar and sat him on the stool with a beer.  Just to show him what real men are like.  (or supposed to be like??  ) 

But honestly, I have only met a handful of people in my life who have claimed to not have touched alcohol before the age of 21.

[Roz]

As far as I know, most Roman Catholic Churches do actually serve regular wine at services. I'm not quite certain about Protestant Churches, but the Catholics do like their booze !! (Being one, I can certianly attest to it ).

Yes - Anglican Protestant at least. Methodist NO. (they have little Ribena cups bless 'em - very hygenic too)

I do have to say that I have always admired the European stance on alcohol. My friends and I talk about this alot and I think that America really should reform this policy somehow. I visited Germany once and was amazed at how differently people viewed alcohol there. While eating dinner, my 15 year old sister was able to order a small glass of wine. Now, being that we were with our parents, I'm sure no one saw this as a threating situation. But in America that would be highly frowned upon.

In continental Europe (italy and France in particular)  it's common for children (10+) to have diluted wine (like cordial 10% wine 90% water at a meal. I guess the idea is that if alcohol isn't prohibited and it's always been there - they won't go mad on it when they reach the age when they can purchase it for themselves. Make it a forbidden fruit and everyone wants a try

As it turns out, in my experiance, it is the students who have had small chances to drink before going to the university, that fare better (now certainly this isn't a coverall). For these individuals, it is not quite such a big deal.

That sounds like a very similar philosophy.

[beckham1]

We need one of our Euro YSers to confirm most of my points, but when I went to Europe the Netherlands specifically and we had host families, we all went out drinking in our seperate local pubs.  Now most had a few drinking spots that were within walking distance.  When we went to town to watch the UEFA cup championship when Ajax played Inter Milan (I think that is it definately an Italian club may have been Juventus) either way we were all using public transportation.  In the US public transport is a pain in the butt and if you want to go any significant distance it isn't fast or easy.

Point being of the 15 or so guys that hosted our team only 1 had his own car and that was because his parents were rich (and they were all around 20 yrs old).  In the US most 16+ year olds have access to a car or have a car to get around.  I would guess that there are significantly fewer problems with drinking and driving in Europe and other countries.  Now I totally disagree with letting 17 year olds be able to decide if they should drink and how much.  IF we raised the driving age to 20 or 21 I wouldn't have a problem with lowering the drinking age. 

I don't know how long it takes to get from the West of England to the East, or South to North.  I can tell you fairly accurately it would take you 20+ hours to drive from the South of California to North of California.   I think it is about 6-8 hours to go from West to East in California.   I think it was like 2-3 hours at most to get anywhere in the Netherlands.  Just some things to consider when talking about adopting a more European policy on alcohol.

[grecopa]

I was just about to post something similar Dave.  Nicely said. 

[Roz]

It's something to look at. I know there are troubles with drink driving around Christmas time, but it's not really all that common, I don't know the statistics for my country or yours, have you looked at any study of the differing state laws on alcohol and the age of driving at all? I should think that it would be the most direct comparison within your own country. But I also haven't heard that the majority of drink drivers are youngsters. The police are pretty strict, if they stop you for having a failing tail light or anything like that they'll brethalise you, which is silly because if the bulb goes in your tail light it doesn't mean you are drunk LOL - poor old Mark was stopped in his Mum's old car and they breathalised him, neither of us would ever dream of using a car after even one drink, no matter how tiny the drop in your abilities, it's just not worth the risk of driving. I think it's standard practice to do this test whenever the police stop you for anything, just in case.

Most young people have a car, many of them for their 17th birthday (if they are very lucky, but I didn't)  assuming that they don't go to University in London (it's not worth the hassle to have a car in London if you are a student).  Personally I think 17 is VERY young to handle a car.

The roads aren't bad in the UK - there are major trunk roads (massive great things as straight as Roman roads with a speed limit of 70 mph and you can get around pretty quickly if you use those... but it's not like driving endlessly in America - many people here either don't have or don't use cruise control). But as you say, we do have relatively competant public transport (although we moan about it a lot, it's usually very good). I can grab a train now to Edinburgh (home of JK Rowling in Scotland) go to sleep and wake up bright and early in the stunning Firth of Forth , and I used to always take a train to and from School. Yes I have a car but when I go to the New Forest tomorrow I'll go by train, it's quicker (well, if I stop in London for a meal with friends it's actually slower  but that's not the fault of the railway ).