The University of Sheffield
Student Life

Drinking

Coffee

1. Drinking Water

  1. In Britain nearly everyone drinks water from the cold tap in the kitchen or from any tap labelled ‘drinking water’ without boiling it. This water will come directly from the mains supply. It will have been treated to produce a very high standard of purity.
  2. It is not necessary to buy mineral/spring water to drink although many people enjoy it.
  3. Drinking fountains are not widely available in and around the University.

2. Alcohol, Pubs and Bars

  1. Many international students are surprised by the significant role alcohol seems to play in social activities for UK students. Some feel pressured into drinking alcohol where they would otherwise choose not to for reasons of religion, culture or personal preference.
  2. The majority of British people do enjoy alcoholic drinks in moderation; only a very small minority get drunk on a regular basis! One tends to notice the drunks and not the sober people.
  3. Some students – home and international – take advantage of the easy availability of alcohol and at times drink to excess. You may find it helpful to think about the following points.
  1. Anyone aged eighteen years or over is allowed to buy alcoholic drinks in shops, pubs (public houses) or bars.
  2. Soft drinks are always available in pubs and bars. It is quite acceptable to ask for these rather than alcoholic beverages.
  3. It is quite usual and acceptable for women to use pubs, bars and restaurants without male companions.
  4. You go to the bar to pay for and collect your own drinks in British pubs and bars. It is quite usual and acceptable for women to do this as well as men.
  5. In Britain, students (and some other people) will often pay for their own drink and not offer to pay for the drinks of their companions. Please do not be offended if this happens. It is quite usual.
  6. If someone invites you to join them for a drink (or a meal, concert etc) this does not necessarily mean that they are offering to pay for you.
  7. Doctors in the UK regularly express concern about the damage to health caused by heavy drinking.
  1. In the UK there are not many places to go in the evening that do not have a bar at the centre of them.
  2. The Union’s several bars are well used.
  3. The Union does also provide a range of activities in which alcohol plays no part.
  4. You should feel confident in refusing alcoholic drinks and asking for soft (non-alcoholic) drinks.
  5. If you feel nervous about going into a pub, ask two or three like-minded friends to join you, visit a quiet pub, go to the bar and buy cola or fruit juice and watch the world go by.

3. Coffee shops

  1. Very few coffee shops open in the evenings.