IN BLANKSTARE NEWS: Liquid courage

49% admit to having a drink for a jolt of confidence before such events as family gatherings, funerals, when meeting people for the first time, or getting on a plane.

There’s no doubt that alcohol boosts confidence – hello, dancing – but it seems some people need that shot of courage in other situations. A new survey found that 49% admit to having a drink for a jolt of confidence before such events as family gatherings, funerals, when meeting people for the first time, or getting on a plane. But others confess to having a drink before speaking in public (26%), and even job interviews (7%) and video calls (10%).