Did the punishment fit the wine?

geek_mom
Thu, 28 May 2009 15:25:21 +0000

It sounds like you’re questioning your teacher’s judgment, which may be wise in this case. Why not follow your instinct and ask the principal? Lay out the facts as you’ve presented them here…

1. You’ll have graduated already.

2. You’ll be of legal drinking age in the venue.

3. You anticipate (why?) that your French teacher will allow or encourage you to drink wine.
… and see what the principal says. If the word is No, don’t do it – then don’t do it. If the word is Sure, go ahead – then enjoy your wine in a responsible manner. If the word is Well, we can’t stop you but we really don’t want you to – then comply with their wishes, or future students will curse your name when the trip is not offered again. Think of that as “paying it forward” to the next class, as earlier student groups have done for you. Whenever you’re on a school-sponsored trip, whether school is in session or not, you represent your school and its student body.

I know French wine is nice and it’s part of the culture and all… but you don’t have to drink it just because you’re in France. As HImom pointed out, you’ll have many, many opportunities to drink French wine and other alcoholic beverages in the future.