"Roland Perry" wrote in message
.uk

[snip]

I'd have problems if a new nanny law said I couldn't buy
and drink a can of beer on the train on the way home. I
assume such a rule would be for the prevention of
unpleasantness, despite my belief that I can have quiet
drink without causing any unpleasantness.

There are numerous signs up in many areas near where I live claiming that
the police have powers to restrict people from drinking alcohol in the
street. Now I'm one of those that prefers to do my drinking in a pub, but
that doesn't mean I believe that people shouldn't be able to drink in the
street if they want to. What I believe they should not be allowed to do is
behave in such a manner as to annoy or disturb others, but that isn't
necessarily related to drinking.

As to drinking on trains, or buses or any other form of public transport,
then that is up to the operators of said transport. If Virgin or whoever
don't want you to drink on their trains that's their business and if you
don't like it you don't have to travel with them. You may not like that, I
certainly don't, but it is still up to them.

The issue here isn't whether or not *you* cause any
unpleasantness, in your normal day to day life; but
whether or not there's a risk that *some* people might
cause unpleasantness, resulting in a blanket ban (which
then causes you restriction).

Precisely.

Ivor