Oxford Union Debates

On Thursday I was lucky enough to be invited to a Oxford Union Debate as the guest of one of the speakers.  It was my first time in Oxford and it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.  The debates have been taking place since 1823 and, honestly, it was just what you would expect.  There were lots of men in black tie (all male members of the Union and all the debaters -- five on each side of the proposition --  are required to wear them).  We ate dinner at a massive table in an ancient room (although you should know that rubber chicken diners are common on both sides of the Atlantic). At the end of the meal everyone stood and made a toast to the Queen and then they passed a large decanter of port.  The debate took place in another ancient room that was specifically built to host debates like this.  After it was all said and done the audience voted for the winning side by walking out of the "aye" or "no" door.  My side lost, although since it was arguing in favor of higher tuition fees that was hardly a surprise.  It's a good thing that the Oxford Union lets both the winners and loser retire to the library for an after debate drink!