Ritið : tímarit Hugvísindastofnunar - 01.05.2009, Blaðsíða 184

HILDIGUNNUR ÓLAFSDÓTTIR OG UNNUR M. BERGSVEINSDÓTTIR
study shows that drinking serves to strengthen social bonds and is an iniportant
part of young adults’ sociabihty. The kind of sociability that is exercised at
Reykjatúk’s pubs allows the individual to act as a free agent. Groups are flexible
and the Icelandic participants did not consider it problematic to leave a group of
friends to look for fun or a change of atmosphere elsewhere. This finding is con-
trary to the ethics expressed by participants in comparable smdies in Helsinki,
Oslo and Stockholm. The Reykjavík nightlife is thus a venue where one’s social
capital is enriched and acquaintance with new people is made through common
ffiends and acquaintances. Women and men behave ahke and evaluate nights out
by the same standard. The type of self-control exercised regarding alcohol con-
sumption was event-related and depended on extemal circumstances. Health
issues regarding drinkmg were rarely considered and discomfort due to hangover
was considered an acceptable part of an enjoyable night out.
Keywords: sociability, alcohol, restatu-ants and pubs, narratives
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