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"Fancy a pint?" are three words that as a Brit I hear often. The Pub' is a British institution- like Dame Judi Dench, The Beatles, or talking about the weather - it is part of life.

I have often considered moving abroad - I like hot weather, and I often wonder what it would be like to live in a country with reliable transport links - but when I think of what would be sacrificed.. having to give up Friday night in my local with a cold beer, chips and random pub debate with my friends, dreams of warm climate and trains that run on time go completely out of the window.

I have many friends that have moved from abroad to the UK, and so many say that there is nothing like British pubs back home. Some of my American friends say that the atmosphere in 'bars' back home in the States comes a very poor second to the mostly warm and welcoming environment of a pub. They've never been to a place where you can chat to a perfect stranger and feel like you've known them for years.

But not to put too rosy a spin on it.. obviously pubs have their flaws. Some are better than others.Some pubs are 'dives' and should not be touched with a barge pole, ten foot in length. Violence and abuse brought on by too much alcohol is obviously one problem, and smokers huddled outside together in all weathers, obviously takes some of the pleasure away from the pub experience (for smokers that is, for non-smokers I suspect not).

Negatives aside, I really do believe that the pub has a very vital part to play. I think that we need pubs to protect our mental health more than anything. The pub is that dependable friend you turn to when all gets too much. At the end of a difficult day, you can go to the pub and let off steam. Talk to random strangers about anything that happens to come up with no strings attached. Talk about how useless our government is, complain about how there's nothing on the telly and how much we hate our jobs. On a more serious note, the pub can be a lifeline to people who are lonely and desperate. For many, the pub may be their only escape, the only place they can go and talk to people, or maybe the only place they feel safe.

When I look at what the economic downturn is doing to the pub trade in Britain, it makes me feel sad. With so many pubs closing it is a difficult time for many. I hope that the industry will recover and continue to be that port in the storm for many. To the British Pub - I salute you.

Learn more about this author, Elisabeth Knapp.
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