I wouldn’t see it so categorically now. We also have schnapps and whiskey in various versions – but in the living room cabinet behind a door. Because there was just space there at the moment and it was convenient. I also wouldn’t have a nervous breakdown if we had to put our schnapps collection in an open shelf because the furnishing just calls for it. (In our case, though, you’d rather see various high-quality grappa). The argument that high-quality alcohol is usually better protected from sunlight storage-wise, however, is certainly valid.
The link that everyone who has high-proof alcohol at home is per se at risk of developing a massive alcohol problem strikes me as a bit far-fetched, sorry. I could also list a number of people from MY circle of acquaintances who have developed a fondness for whiskey or are enthusiastic about high-quality schnapps or have a wine rack in the basement that makes me jealous, etc. – and none of them even drink it regularly, but rather on special occasions and with enjoyment and understanding. Those whom I sometimes get more concerned about regarding their alcohol consumption tend to drink beer (and in appropriate quantities).
Whether it is “presenting” if I put my schnapps collection out in the kitchen openly or if I simply just don’t have another place for it – I don’t care. Everyone should do as they want. Neither one nor the other bothers me. I would only be bothered if too much stuff, including bottles, were standing around on my kitchen counter; how others handle that is their problem. You can see that here in the kitchen photos: some kitchens are so cluttered that I wonder how anyone can still cook there. But if someone wants it that way and finds it practical, they should do it that way. Then it really doesn’t matter if there’s a TM, an outrageously expensive coffee machine, a smoothie blender (in my opinion the most unnecessary device in the world if you already have an immersion blender or a regular blender), an egg boiler, toaster, or a collection of bottles standing there.
Did I manage to elegantly steer the conversation back from the alcohol discussion to the kitchen discussion?