Roland Perry wrote:
In message 4f3903d0.83396046@localhost, at 13:23:18 on Mon, 13 Feb
2012, Cynic remarked:
I have a fridge containing drinks, tables and chairs in my house, for
example, but I still visit pubs on occassion even though the same
activity in my own home would, if anything, be more comfortable.

The societal sea change in the last generation has been exactly that -
homes becoming more comfortable than pubs, rather than vice versa.
Although some pubs try quite hard to keep their comforts ahead of the
game, that's often at the expense (no pun intended) of pricing
themselves out of the market.

Acute point and well made.

My home is now far more comfortable and nicer to be in than almost all
pubs.

I can smoke if I want, drink as much as I like, the toilet are not
disgusting, and mostly the food is as good or better.

If I want to gossip, there is the Internet.

If I want to watch a football cricket or Rugby match, there is the TV or
the Internet/computer.

What do I need or want a PUB for?