Ringing the bell in the Mess

[Lumber]

Last night it happened 27 times between 5pm and 10pm. I don't know if that's a lot, a record, or meager; it's the first time I've seen it happen at all, let alone 27 times!

Needless to say I've never seen so much beer being passed around!

Does anyone else ever been around when a mess bell (is that even the proper term?) was rung so frivolously?

 

[geo]

He who rings the bell in jest... Buys a round for all the rest.

27 bell rings... in one night is rather unnusual.... were there more than 27 people in the mess at the time?

 

[fire_guy686]

I've never seen the bell rung in the mess before, other than drunks ringing it to be smart asses. What gets the bell run in most CF messes??? Certain tip amount???

 

[Old Sweat]

I have rung the bell on promotion. This was a standard practice in the bad old days.

 

[Lumber]

27 bell rings... in one night is rather unnusual.... were there more than 27 people in the mess at the time?

There was about 40-50 people in the mess actually.

The francophones had their annual trip to a maple syrup lodge cancelled yesterday afternoon, and so, out of a bit of frustration and a need to make up for the lost fun, they went drinking at the mess. One thought it would be a good idea to ring the bell, and so he bought everyone a round. Before we knew it, the bell was being rung before people could even get to the bar to get a drink from the last bell that was rung.

 

[Lumber]

The mess staff actually took the bell down and put it behind the bar to stop the mayhem. They were running out of beer, and there was full bottles sitting on every ledge, on every pool table.

 

[geo]

reasons for Bell rings....

1)  On promotion.
2)  Momentuous event based upon which you are offering to buy a round of drinks to every member of the mess present.... as well as those within earshot

 

[fire_guy686]

reasons for Bell rings....

1)  On promotion.
2)  Momentuous event based upon which you are offering to buy a round of drinks to every member of the mess present.... as well as those within earshot

Thanks for the info. I had always seen the bells in the mess but never heard them used.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Our's gets used on a regular basis, at least by our Unit. We don't need a momentous event, just a reason to buy a round for our comrades. ;D

 

[Danjanou]

27 seems a lot. Most I can remember is the time I was promoted Sgt and it went off 5-7+ times. Two of us were promoted on the same Parade so that was the first 2. Our CSM matched each with a 2 more himself. A few others decided After that I figured why not another and so on until it got a bit silly. Towards the end I don't think were even ringing it.

 

[davidk]

I've seen it rung a lot in one night, especially after we inclear in the fall for a new training year, after new recruits become qualified, and various promotions are handed out...maybe not 27 times, but it's been close sometimes.

 

[Gunner98]

reasons for Bell rings....
1)  On promotion.
2)  Momentuous event based upon which you are offering to buy a round of drinks to every member of the mess present.... as well as those within earshot

Smart Mess Managers/PMCs keep a bell-ring book, wherein every momentous occasion is recorded by the ringer regardless of sobriety, coherency.   This makes pay-day less of a mystery and proves to be hilarious for years to come - a time capsule of sorts.  Whenever reunions of any sort take place they become the center of focus as the yesterdays are recounted in your very-own illegible scribbles.

Twenty-seven times in one night is frivolous and a waste of good cheer. The only winner was the mess. Can anyone realistically drink and enjoy 27 glasses of anything alcoholic in ne night.  Why not, spread the joy over many evenings.

 

[043]

In Kuwait in 1991, the HMCS Huron was in port. They invited a bunch of us down for a BBQ and some wobblies. We, 1 CER, took along some Canadian civilian firefighters. There was quite a lot of bell ringing that night thanks to the fire fighters! The poor guy behind the bar couldn't keep up. I remember seeing 6 pack after 6 pack being thrown into the crowd! Was awesome!!!!!!! The ride back to Doha wasn't good for alot of us though! haha

Ding Ding Ding!!!!!!!

 

[geo]

Heh....
Cases of beer being opened behind the bar & at an opportune moment, the door opened & the the case slides onto the mess floor - free for all ensued as many hands reached for the available beer.....  Ahhh - to be young & stupid once again

 

[Rodahn]

Heh....
Cases of beer being opened behind the bar & at an opportune moment, the door opened & the the case slides onto the mess floor - free for all ensued as many hands reached for the available beer.....  Ahhh - to be young & stupid once again

Sounds like your speaking from experience there Geo.... Wouldn't have happend to occur in the 'wack now would it??????

 

[geo]

many places, many faces, many brands of beer.....  Urp!

 

[Kat Stevens]

Vukovar Vern's Bombed Out Basement Beer Emporium, Croatia '92.  Our bell was made from a 120mm casing.  It could be heard every single night, and some nights well in excess of 50 times.  Between 41 Fd Sqn, 3 RCR pioneers, Brit Med Coy, and the Finnish construction troops, it was a pretty soggy place.  The tall-tale UN blue pisspot/helmet was priceless, too. Best bar in the whole damn country.

 

[armyvern]

Smart Mess Managers/PMCs keep a bell-ring book, wherein every momentous occasion is recorded by the ringer regardless of sobriety, coherency.   This makes pay-day less of a mystery and proves to be hilarious for years to come - a time capsule of sorts.  Whenever reunions of any sort take place they become the center of focus as the yesterdays are recounted in your very-own illegible scribbles.

Twenty-seven times in one night is frivolous and a waste of good cheer. The only winner was the mess. Can anyone realistically drink and enjoy 27 glasses of anything alcoholic in ne night.  Why not, spread the joy over many evenings.

Ahh yes, the Bell Ring Book; I kept one during my tenure as PMC as well ... and was quite adept at finding momentous occasions for which to ring the bell. Bells have cost me a lot of bucks throughout the years ... but if I were near one now -- I'd ring it in a heartbeat.

 

[Lumber]

Twenty-seven times in one night is frivolous and a waste of good cheer. The only winner was the mess. Can anyone realistically drink and enjoy 27 glasses of anything alcoholic in ne night.  Why not, spread the joy over many evenings.

No one actually attempted to drink 27 glasses/bottles! But it kept people happy and cheering (not that the Francos need any more motivation to keep doing that!) and it ensured that at pretty much anytime you could get in line for a free drink.

 

[043]

Ahh yes, the Bell Ring Book; I kept one during my tenure as PMC as well ... and was quite adept at finding momentous occasions for which to ring the bell. Bells have cost me a lot of bucks throughout the years ... but if I were near one now -- I'd ring it in a heartbeat.

Damn right Vern!!!!!!!!!