After WW2, my father was secretary to Admiral(FAA), and accompanied him to an RAF base for a goodwill (HA!) visit.
Prior to dindins in the Officer's Mess, a Wingco asked the old man's boss if he'd like a drink before dinner.
Admiral asks for a pink gin. Wingco clears his throat apologetically and explains that in this mess, it's tradition that they only drink beer before dinner. Admiral draws himself up to his full height, fixes Wingo with stare liable to curdle milk at 400 paces, and says:-
"The RAF is not old enough to have traditions - merely habits"