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Content: Because the drinks may be paid for by the boss or the richest member  of the party, there isn’t that concern about slowing down the rate of drinking  to save money. Furthermore, because conversation is less important, drinking  becomes the sole focus on the night out. Of course, slowing down drinking probably wasn't the reason for the custom of the round developing. In 1978, the National Times speculated that it was a kind of ritual that solidified group belonging: "In 
                tribal societies in which gift giving is economically important, there may be 
                exchange of gift giving of identical (or useless) gifts which serve to maintain 
                the relationship between donors. In Australia, the ritual of the round, known 
                virtually to all adult members of society has some parrallel functions. It symbolise 
                entry to a group (and, for that matter, makes pointed an exclusion). It binds 
                a group together." World Health Organisation figures provide a useful insight into  how these customs have reduced overall alcohol consumption in Australia and also  changed Australian tastes  from spirits to beer. Specifically, Australia ranks 5th in  per capita beer consumption but is not even in the top 20 when it comes to   spirits.