Not so sure of that, when we had the pub, we had a small but robust number of elderly hill farmers/tatters/horse traders/dog and ferret men that were regulars, and known by everyone in the pub. I watched them on many ocassions. They would always drink halfs (with the occasional tot on the side), and would always be within cane distance to the bar. And I realised by being there with a half, every time a younger customer came to the bar, the YC would be greeted with a "y'right lad, hows thee grandfather?" At which point the YC would be so flattered that the old legend that was sitting there knew his name, and so seeing that he was only drinking a half, would immediatley ask if they wanted a drink. At which point the answer would be "I will just have an'half lad", at this point the YC had fallen for it, and would ask if that was all, why not have a pint? (to impress the legend), at this point the second part came into play with "I can't drink more than a half lad at my age, but I'll have a nip with 'e, thanks" At which point the YC is trappedYou can't join the grimsdyke ferret club if you've ever drunk a half
And there was the second part of the game, if the YC didn't fall for offering the drink, the half could be quickly finished, then the ritual of trying to find the cane to drag their time weathered frame to the bar, and search in their small leather purse for a few pennies. Few, if any YC's could stand this, and would immediatley offer the drink. Strangley the same old customer would walk 20 miles a day tending his "black and white horses", and when in the company of other older folk, would reveal a wad of notes that would stun a pony at 50 yards.
And if neither of the two techniques works, and they had to buy their own (assuming I didn't fall for the same trick) they only needed to pay for the next half until their next prey arrived at the bar.
Eeek. Chronic flash-over on 2nd HT application. Boo, poo pants. 