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Yet more and more start-ups (and not so start-ups) have kegerators in their office. We have one at Lot18 (we're hiring!) and some other companies that I am awar

Yet more and more start-ups (and not so start-ups) have kegerators in their office. We have one at Lot18 (we're hiring!) and some other companies that I am aware of include Yelp, Google, Name.com, BirchBox, MapQuest, Yammer - and I am sure there are plenty more out there. Alcohol is often seen as a social thing to do - and with companies trying to get a more solid culture going, alcohol seems to tie in well to aide in creating the social ambiance. Obviously there should still be limits on when you should be drinking, and how you conduct your self - but that should be considered in any social setting. Here is a related article regarding drinking on the job and tech companies: http://www.brewcitybeerbuffs.com/2012/05/20/drinking-on-the-job-would-you/ http://www.brewcitybeerbuffs.com/2012/05/20/drinking-on-the-...

keithpeter 14y ago
Could this feature of technology companies be related to younger median age -> less commute radius or commute by bicycle/public transport? Bankers and corporate types seem to be concentrated in compounds miles from anywhere, so drink/drive limits (preferably zero) come into play.
- elliottcarlson 14y ago
  That's a fair question, and while tech companies are surely employing younger people in general, I don't think that is purely the motivating factor. I think people are trying to get away from the previously stuffy office environments - trying to make everyone genuinely enjoy their work and co-workers even during off hours. As far as commute goes - this could certainly be true for NYC which is where I am as I don't think a single person drives in to the office unless it is a special occasion - though I am not sure how much of a factor it might be for other localities.
nraynaud 14y ago
How do you combine that with the driving all the time culture of the US? In France it's totally prohibited on the workplace (hahaha), partly because of the driving back home.
- elliottcarlson 14y ago
  I guess that depends on where you live - In a densely populated area like New York City, or San Francisco - there is less need to drive to work, because you have mass-transit that can get you anywhere you need to be. If you know you are going to be driving home, I'd hope that people would use their better judgement - same if you were out drinking on your own time. Have a beer - relax a while - maybe a water and then drive - there is no excuse for belligerent or reckless behavior regardless where you obtain your alcohol from!
  - nraynaud 14y ago
    My assumption that people almost always drive in the US seems flawed. On a bigger scale, doesn't that widen the cultural gap between areas? Like people in SF or NY can party at work because they don't drive home and people in cities where there is no real public transportation system (LA I believe) can't benefit from that relaxing perk.
    - elliottcarlson 14y ago
      But, this is the same for any larger city versus rural area. Whether you are in Paris or in Antwerp (where I grew up) you would take the metro/tram service - but if you lived out in a rural area your transportation options will be far more limited - and so will your job opportunities. Even in cities where the public transportation infrastructure isn't as expansive/great such as Denver (this may have changed since I lived there) - there is still some form of transportation available and you really don't have to drive. Sadly this is a country that has a huge amount of laziness - and there are indeed people who will drive down their drive way to pick up the mail or take out the garbage - and I am sure that is what most people see America as in general. Consider the innovation that comes out of this country and the intelligent people on HackerNews and you can see that there are people who are not lazy and are extremely passionate and even visionaries in the industry - you can't lump everyone up in the same assumptions :)

keithpeter 14y ago

Could this feature of technology companies be related to younger median age -> less commute radius or commute by bicycle/public transport? Bankers and corporate types seem to be concentrated in compounds miles from anywhere, so drink/drive limits (preferably zero) come into play.

elliottcarlson 14y ago
That's a fair question, and while tech companies are surely employing younger people in general, I don't think that is purely the motivating factor. I think people are trying to get away from the previously stuffy office environments - trying to make everyone genuinely enjoy their work and co-workers even during off hours. As far as commute goes - this could certainly be true for NYC which is where I am as I don't think a single person drives in to the office unless it is a special occasion - though I am not sure how much of a factor it might be for other localities.

nraynaud 14y ago

How do you combine that with the driving all the time culture of the US? In France it's totally prohibited on the workplace (hahaha), partly because of the driving back home.

elliottcarlson 14y ago
I guess that depends on where you live - In a densely populated area like New York City, or San Francisco - there is less need to drive to work, because you have mass-transit that can get you anywhere you need to be. If you know you are going to be driving home, I'd hope that people would use their better judgement - same if you were out drinking on your own time. Have a beer - relax a while - maybe a water and then drive - there is no excuse for belligerent or reckless behavior regardless where you obtain your alcohol from!
- nraynaud 14y ago
  My assumption that people almost always drive in the US seems flawed. On a bigger scale, doesn't that widen the cultural gap between areas? Like people in SF or NY can party at work because they don't drive home and people in cities where there is no real public transportation system (LA I believe) can't benefit from that relaxing perk.
  - elliottcarlson 14y ago
    But, this is the same for any larger city versus rural area. Whether you are in Paris or in Antwerp (where I grew up) you would take the metro/tram service - but if you lived out in a rural area your transportation options will be far more limited - and so will your job opportunities. Even in cities where the public transportation infrastructure isn't as expansive/great such as Denver (this may have changed since I lived there) - there is still some form of transportation available and you really don't have to drive. Sadly this is a country that has a huge amount of laziness - and there are indeed people who will drive down their drive way to pick up the mail or take out the garbage - and I am sure that is what most people see America as in general. Consider the innovation that comes out of this country and the intelligent people on HackerNews and you can see that there are people who are not lazy and are extremely passionate and even visionaries in the industry - you can't lump everyone up in the same assumptions :)