4 ms·

Seems like a very different situation here in the Netherlands. Most people live somewhat close by, within 15 minutes of biking, and its not at all unusual for e

Seems like a very different situation here in the Netherlands. Most people live somewhat close by, within 15 minutes of biking, and its not at all unusual for everyone to show up with some drinks or snacks. This takes care of two of the main reasons the article claims Americans are not having a house party. At one point in the article someone said that only have a 400ft space, and can only host 5-6 people before it gets crowded. I was just at a gathering yesterday in a room of less than 16m^2 (172ft^2) with 12 people without a problem.

jeswin 11y ago
It's probably 400 sq ft, which is a 20x20 ft room. 52 sq ft would be really small.
- jarvist 11y ago
  I suspect 16 m^2 --> 215 sq ft. (GP mistakenly multiplied by feet-in-metres rather than square-feet-in-square-metres conversion factor.)
mojuba 11y ago
Same in Ireland, house parties are pretty common. I'm wondering if it's to do with the population density and public transportation (you don't want to drive drunk), among many other factors already mentioned in the article.
- dazc 11y ago
  It's been awhile since I've been to Ireland (10 years) but I remember the cost of alcohol being very high, not just in tourist areas. I also notice police being very proactive against drink-driving - in the centre of Dublin at least.
  - mojuba 11y ago
    Drinks are much cheaper in shops compared to pubs/bars (the latter are taxed much more heavily). Another reason for Ireland to party at home :)
aamar 11y ago
16m^2 =~ 172ft^2
- jsumrall 11y ago
  I updated what I wrote, thanks for pointing that out.
Cthulhu_ 11y ago
That "most people" only applies to a small part of the population though, that happen to live where their friends or family does - which I guess they do in the smaller towns or if you're still a university student, but it's not the norm. At least, not for me; anecdotal evidence here, one person. I have to travel by public transit for at least half an hour for social gatherings (to Amsterdam or Utrecht)

jeswin 11y ago

It's probably 400 sq ft, which is a 20x20 ft room. 52 sq ft would be really small.

jarvist 11y ago
I suspect 16 m^2 --> 215 sq ft. (GP mistakenly multiplied by feet-in-metres rather than square-feet-in-square-metres conversion factor.)

mojuba 11y ago

Same in Ireland, house parties are pretty common. I'm wondering if it's to do with the population density and public transportation (you don't want to drive drunk), among many other factors already mentioned in the article.

dazc 11y ago
It's been awhile since I've been to Ireland (10 years) but I remember the cost of alcohol being very high, not just in tourist areas. I also notice police being very proactive against drink-driving - in the centre of Dublin at least.
- mojuba 11y ago
  Drinks are much cheaper in shops compared to pubs/bars (the latter are taxed much more heavily). Another reason for Ireland to party at home :)

aamar 11y ago

16m^2 =~ 172ft^2

jsumrall 11y ago
I updated what I wrote, thanks for pointing that out.

Cthulhu_ 11y ago

That "most people" only applies to a small part of the population though, that happen to live where their friends or family does - which I guess they do in the smaller towns or if you're still a university student, but it's not the norm. At least, not for me; anecdotal evidence here, one person. I have to travel by public transit for at least half an hour for social gatherings (to Amsterdam or Utrecht)