For many years I taught in a small town in Manitoba, and I never really got used to the fact that I would always run into students outside of class.  Most of the social drinking I did was at the local Legion Hall, where students were unlikely to be found.  

Otherwise, we tended to socialize at each others' homes.

I agree that ideally, one doesn't want to live in the town he/she teaches in.

I think that teachers are people too and should be allowed to have a drink if they want one.  Of course, no one should drink too much.

I agree with the "don't live in the town that you teach in" motto. I have heard this from many veteran teachers. I personally drive 40 miles each way to teach, so privacy is not an issue--at least for now. The rise in gas prices, property taxes, living expenses, etc, are forcing me to move closer to my district, but I still chose a home in a neighboring town.

I say one should go with their gut feelings regarding district culture. If by any chance there could be potential problems caused by drinking in a restaurant, then by all means, live somewhere else, or go to the next town for that drink.  

In addition, Yes! Teachers should traeat themselves to a few occasionally. However, be cautious. Teaching can be one of those professions that can drive someone to drinking more than their fair share.

My son-in-law reminded me that I used to refrain from drinking in the town where I taught because I didn't feel comfortable about possibly being seen by one of my students. :)

being seen drinking was nothing to the fact that i had to start worrying about how i was dressing when i was running around town doing errands or going out when i lived in the town i teach in.

gossip also arises in the form of them seeing you out and about, which can lead to questions about your personal life that i don't think would come up otherwise.

being seen in the presence of alcohol is problematic depending on the student and who the student is with.

it is as a younger teacher that i worry about these things. if i was older, i wouldn't be so concerned b/c i would be farther removed from their age.

i see benefits to both living locally and commuting.

Here is the standard that the courts use when a teacher gets sideways with the law...  "taechers have the right to privacy--  but they also have a corresponding obligation to keep their private affairs private."  As you can imagine, this standard is used when teachers have been caught in compromisine relationships...  but it is a good rule of thumb for all "private"  or "off the clock"  behaviors.

Here is the standard that the courts use when a teacher gets sideways with the law...  "taechers have the right to privacy--  but they also have a corresponding obligation to keep their private affairs private."  As you can imagine, this standard is used when teachers have been caught in compromisine relationships...  but it is a good rule of thumb for all "private"  or "off the clock"  behaviors.

I remember about 12 years ago a friend of mine and I were teaching at the same high school we attended. My friend asked one of the social studies teachers if he had any advice for two young teachers such as ourselves. He said "yes, never drink in the same district you teach in". We didn't expect that but it seems he was responding to something that happened to him. Yes teachers are people too and have the right to drink at any bar or restaurant they want. But, as a teacher you know how kids can be particularly teens. And, with technology today you may just find yourself on YouTube.com, Flickr.com or MySpace, not even aware that a student took your image. If in your own district just be careful and if something like I mentioned happens you need to confront it right away and diffuse it.

Technology has definitely changed things.  Finding oneself on YouTube would not be pleasant.  Thanks for bringing up such an important point.  When I was a young teacher, I didn't have to worry about finding myself on the internet.