by jmccoy3 on February 11, 2022
Opinion
As a gathering spot for all Providence College students, McPhail’s needs to cater to all of them. As of now, the only specialty beverage available to underclassmen is milkshakes. While the McPhail’s milkshakes are legendary, mocktails would take the College’s finest hangout to the next level. The pub needs another non-alcoholic option since at least half of the student body is not of age. With gatherings and events from several clubs on a consistent basis, McPhail’s needs to offer more options so all students feel welcome.
McPhail’s should upgrade from soda to mocktails because students will simply go to Alumni or Ray for simple fountain beverages. The space is for special occasions, which requires an elevated level of food options. There are plenty of restaurants and bars off-campus. As a result, McPhail’s needs to offer unique, iconic options that students cannot find elsewhere. Additionally, mocktails can become themed drinks for the night. A Friars-themed mocktail would certainly be popular during an away-game watch party. Students could submit ideas for mocktail recipes for the chance to be featured on the menu.
Milkshakes have been an unreliable option in McPhail’s as of recently. On bingo night, milkshakes frequently run out before the first numbers are called. Mocktails offer another reliable option for underclassmen and non-drinkers. Also, employees would be able to learn the process quickly since most mocktails substitute alcohol for soda. Mocktails will take less time to make because most do not require a blender like milkshakes. This comes down to a simple decision. Mocktails are an essential addition to McPhail’s.
For some, Feb. 14 is a day filled with pink and red candy, flowers, and teddy bears. For others, the real appeal comes the next day, when the candy goes on sale. Every year it seems like holidays are becoming more and more commercialized, and Valentine’s Day in particular feels like a scam. While it is supposed to be a day filled with love, it feels much shallower in light of today’s mass consumer culture.
The origins of Valentine’s Day are anything but romantic, tracing back to traditions in ancient Rome that involved violence against women. Today, many businesses advertise their Valentine’s Day deals, such as Chick-fil-A’s heart-shaped trays of chicken nuggets and Olive Garden’s $15 bottles of wine for takeout. While these deals are great, Valentine’s Day seems to be less about the love it is meant to celebrate and more about the products and services that are marketed to consumers.
On the other side, those who are not in a relationship are made to feel extra single on Valentine’s Day, which is also catered to by various companies (and Netflix rom-coms). A quick Google search brings up hundreds of guides ranging from Cosmopolitan and Oprah listing activities for single people to do on Valentine’s Day.
Overall, Valentine’s Day does not deserve the hype that surrounds it. This “holiday” allows for businesses to profit off artificial gestures of love by pressuring people into getting gifts for their significant others. This can cause people to completely lose sight of why they are doing it in the first place. It is important to show love to those around you every day of the year, regardless of relationship status or heart-shaped candy.