The student

Origins

The university student is a common fixture in Dublin pubs, though they tend to concentrate in pubs that cater for their needs (i.e. they are near to where students traditionally study or live and they have a relaxed attitude towards the legal drinking age) The student will have passed through the thirteen years or so that makes up the Irish primary and secondary education cycle; thirteen years of glazed stupefaction while crazed swine (many in religious orders) beat, bully, or otherwise brainwash them in preparation for the Leaving Certificate examinations. As a result, most students are in the mood for some serious partying. Also, many of these students are culchies living away from home for the first time and luxuriating in that freedom.

Age

17-25 or thereabouts, depending on to what extent the student's drinking habits have interfered with their ability to pass exams.

Appearance

Highly variable. Jeans and large wool sweaters are popular (especially among technical and engineering students) as they are warm and low- maintenance, thus maximising the amount of time spent in the pub. Student hacks from the large College debating societies tend to go for the flannel suit or `preppie' look, making them look like they've just stepped out of a PG Wodehouse novel. Large numbers of students will be riding out the tail-end of their teenage rebellion and will sport Goth/ rocker/ indie kid looks of various types.

Conversation topics

God, I was really pissed last night and we ended up in Heifers with a gang of nurses and there was a beer promotion on and Christ I wasn't able to see by the time we were done and I think I shifted some ugly dog but I don't remember and I ate a batterburger and threw up in the back of the taxi and we had a row with the taxi-driver and I had a head on me this morning so I didn't go to lectures, so can I borrow your notes... please?

Drinks

Just about anything that contains alcohol and leaves one feeling no pain as quickly as possible.