Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

You are what you drink
The Denver Post ^ | 3/13/06 | Sheba R. Wheeler

Posted on 03/13/2006 7:32:08 AM PST by Millee

If your date orders a Sex on the Beach, does that foreshadow romance at evening's end?

Don't count on it, but it's a good bet your date is feeling fun and flirty - and wants to let everyone know it.

Experts have made a science out of pegging people's inner qualities based on their outer actions. Personality shows up in everything we do, and folks judge us accordingly.

The music we download, the clothes we wear and the cars we drive reflect who we are, how we view the world and how we choose to interact in it at any given moment, says Cherry Creek psychologist Maximillian Wachtel.

The same principles apply to alcoholic beverages. Particularly so because they often contribute to the first impressions we make on others - sometimes on a date, other times at a business dinner or a family reunion.

But what do they say specifically?

For that we turned to the real experts: bartenders.

Our local mixologists take a lot of orders, and because they work the counters, they hang around long enough to hear customers talk and see how drinkers treat their spouses and sell their goods.

We asked them to share their observations and put together this guide.

Your drink: Beer

Your image: Easygoing

Order a brew, and folks see you as laid-back, reserved and blue-collar. You keep your drinks simple, and maybe that means you are too.

"This person is totally uncomplicated," says Dazzle bartender Jenean Sorenson. "They aren't worried about how old the scotch is. It's an easy decision for them. Their motto would be: 'Just poor it cold into a glass and give it to me.' "

Who are you? You are man, in your mid-30s to 50s, and you definitely have your favorite labels. Or you are a guy in your 20s, and you're broke and drinking $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon drafts. The message is the same: I'm just hanging out.

It's a little different for women, bartenders say. Most gals don't order beer, and the ones that do come off as sexy and approachable.

Why do you drink it? You don't want to get drunk. You just want to sit and talk with your friends, and not end up with a headache the next morning.

Your drink: Martinis, manhattans, champagne

Your image: High maintenance

Use more than two adjectives to order your drink (dry, neat, up, slushy, dirty whatever) or get picky (you want your lemons cut into wedges, not slices) and you can come off as pretentious, says Logan Grey, a bartender at the Roo Bar in Cherry Creek. A colleague, Dustin Gathright, a bartender at the 1876 Bar, agrees. He's happy to make what customers order, but "if a group is waiting to be served and someone comes up and orders something that takes like 15 minutes to make with multiple ingredients, that person is self-centered."

Who are you? When the bartender has the time, you are a sophisticated drinker. When she doesn't, you are a debutante wannabe, or a trendy metrosexual.

Why do you drink it? You just want it the way you want it. You don't realize you are fussy or picky - or maybe you do and simply don't care.

Your drink: Margaritas, piña coladas, mojitos, fruity martinis

Your image: Adventurous

Salted rim or not, asking for a margarita makes you come off as fun-loving. You're not afraid to be goofy. You are trendy and knowledgable about the newest drink-craze flavors like mango and pomegranate and secure enough to sit behind a froufrou cocktail with a tiny umbrella sticking out of the top. "You may not be able to get away to Jamaica just yet, but for tonight, you are just one cocktail away from the dream," says Tracey Toomey, co-author of "The Perfect Manhattan."

Who are you? A bachelorette, a professional woman who just got off work, or part of a girls-night-out gang. A guy looking for a party.

Why do you drink it? It's time to let your hair down for the night. "When I drink a piña colada, I go back to my Puerto Rican roots, and I feel like a hot Latin woman," says Abbie Karic, 53, of New York, who was in Denver last week for a conference.

Your drink: Scotch, bourbon, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir

Your image: Sophisticated

You are knowledgable and enjoy luxuries. You've taken the time to educate yourself about your spirits, have been drinking for a while and know exactly what you want. You are direct, precise and order your beverage straight or on the rocks because you love the taste. "These are the kind of people who would never foul up a good single-malt scotch by mixing it with a Sprite," says Billy Riesing, a bartender at Bender's 13th Avenue Tavern.

Who are you? A man or woman in your mid- to late 30s and beyond.

Why do you drink it? Your palate is complex. You want to savor the drink and sip it. You are too old to handle the hangover that comes from drinking sugary blends. And a fine wine is always an acceptable drink.

Your drink: Chardonnay or merlot; blank and tonic (gin, vodka or whatever)

Your image: Terrified

That's right. You're old standby is actually a dead giveaway, according to bartenders. The scenario: You are on on a first date. You are just getting to know each other, and you are afraid to order. You don't want to play it too safe or edgy because you know first impressions stick. But your choice doesn't show much personality.

"You want to show that you are sophisticated, but not a hard-core drinker," says Doug Kennis, master mixologist at the Grand Hyatt's Pinnacle Club, where customers can fill out a survey measuring their martini personality profile.

Who are you? Part of a potential couple

Why do you drink it? You want to keep your options open. You want to stay out of trouble.


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-136 next last
To: Millee

who
gives
a
...


21 posted on 03/13/2006 7:51:22 AM PST by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Millee

Must be an error: Don't see Metamucil on the list.


22 posted on 03/13/2006 7:57:33 AM PST by Mike Bates (Irish Alzheimer's victim: I only remember the grudges.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Millee
It's a little different for women, bartenders say. Most gals don't order beer, and the ones that do come off as sexy and approachable.

Mornin', Millee! What a way to start the week! hic! LOL! I also like the zero calorie beer in frosted mugs. ;)

23 posted on 03/13/2006 7:57:36 AM PST by phantomworker (The joy of engineering is to find a straight line on a double logarithmic diagram. - Thomas Koenig)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Millee; NautiNurse; Amerigomag; andrew2527; AnAmericanMother; A Jovial Cad; Awgie; babaloo; ...
Click to be +/- on this low volume wine ping list.

"You are what you drink" ping.

24 posted on 03/13/2006 7:58:50 AM PST by quantim (If the Constitution were perfect, it wouldn't have included the Senate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro
You drink: OE Forties

Your image: Gangsta

Who are you? None a yo bidness

Why do you drink it? You eveh try pimpin' a whole stable uh bitches? And I be talkin uggggly bitches...

25 posted on 03/13/2006 7:59:37 AM PST by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Millee

"Your drink: Scotch, bourbon, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir
Your image: Sophisticated
You are knowledgable and enjoy luxuries. You've taken the time to educate yourself about your spirits, have been drinking for a while and know exactly what you want. You are direct, precise and order your beverage straight or on the rocks because you love the taste."

They've got me dead-on. Even the age goup! :)


26 posted on 03/13/2006 8:00:28 AM PST by linda_22003
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

How about some of Fred Sanford's favorite.....Ripple!


27 posted on 03/13/2006 8:01:07 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: phantomworker; miller

Miller Light if I'm with the girls on a "late-nighter."

Before hand...a good dinner to soak up the beer.



28 posted on 03/13/2006 8:01:30 AM PST by peacebaby ("What? Me worry?" Alfred E Newman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Millee
If you drink

It means you are a trailer trash poor bum who loves headaches and the hershey squirts.

29 posted on 03/13/2006 8:01:57 AM PST by Toby06 (Jail employers of illegal immigrants.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Millee

Holy Crap! What does it mean if I like ALL of the drinks mentioned? LOL

MM


30 posted on 03/13/2006 8:02:39 AM PST by motormouth (Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Millee

My dad used to drink Jaeger whenever he got a cold. So it reminds me of medicine. (I think I feel a cold coming on...)


31 posted on 03/13/2006 8:02:50 AM PST by phantomworker (The joy of engineering is to find a straight line on a double logarithmic diagram. - Thomas Koenig)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Petronski
Thank you! Personalized plates drive me nuts too because I'm too dense to figure them out!
32 posted on 03/13/2006 8:03:18 AM PST by Millee (Don't make me get out my voodoo doll out!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Millee

I drink beer. I'm easy going!


33 posted on 03/13/2006 8:03:36 AM PST by Auntbee (I have become comfortably numb.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: motormouth

You're well rounded and balanced. ;)


34 posted on 03/13/2006 8:04:19 AM PST by phantomworker (The joy of engineering is to find a straight line on a double logarithmic diagram. - Thomas Koenig)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Millee

Jaeger's more a special treat for me. My drink of choice is either Crown and Coke, or if I'm in the mood for a beer, I usually go with Sam Adams or Amstel Light.


35 posted on 03/13/2006 8:04:35 AM PST by RockinRight (Attention RNC...we're the party of Reagan, not FDR)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: phantomworker
Jaeger reminds me of the time I tried to see what my internal organs looked like by ejecting them out of my body. {{shudder}}

I tried some Gray Goose Citron this weekend and by golly, that is good stuff!

36 posted on 03/13/2006 8:06:11 AM PST by Millee (Don't make me get out my voodoo doll out!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: motormouth

You're versatile!


37 posted on 03/13/2006 8:06:53 AM PST by RockinRight (Attention RNC...we're the party of Reagan, not FDR)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Millee

Related thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1595495/posts


38 posted on 03/13/2006 8:07:49 AM PST by RockinRight (Attention RNC...we're the party of Reagan, not FDR)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Millee

39 posted on 03/13/2006 8:08:24 AM PST by Rebelbase (President Bush is a Texas jackass when it comes to Border security .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight
Good beer choices. Those are my favorites too.
40 posted on 03/13/2006 8:08:30 AM PST by Millee (Don't make me get out my voodoo doll out!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-136 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson