“The Optics of the Drink Order?”
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Movie Synopsis:
When
college senior Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) steps in for her sick roommate
to interview prominent businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) for their
campus paper, little does she realize the path her life will take. Christian,
as enigmatic as he is rich and powerful, finds himself strangely drawn to Ana,
and she to him. Though sexually inexperienced, Ana plunges headlong into an
affair -- and learns that Christian's true sexual proclivities push the
boundaries of pain and pleasure.
Scenario:
Anastasia and her mother, Carla (Jennifer Ehle) unexpectedly
meet Mr. Grey, Carla is immediately impressed just by the drink he orders.
Selected Scene:
Anastasia: Holy fuck!
Carla: What? What is it?
Anastasia: It's Christian. He's here. Um... in
Georgia.
Carla: You're here!
Christian: Mrs. Adams. Delighted to meet you.
Waiter: Something to drink, sir?
Christian: Gin and tonic. Hendricks if you have it,
otherwise Bombay Sapphire. Cucumber with the Hendricks, lime with the Bombay.
Carla: I like him already.
Business Tip:
Even if you don't
drink alcohol, in the business world you will be exposed to receptions, client
events, and dinners where alcoholic beverages will be served. For those that partake
in cocktails, wine or beer, you might want to rethink your order next time you're with the boss or out with clients. As in the scene above, what and how you order a drink can either be a power move or keep you at the "kids table." There are tons of insights from bartenders and waiters/waitresses who are in the best position, when it comes to matching the casual consumer with their
drink of choice. However, rather than taking a
deep dive into specific cocktails and how they are associated with the drinker, ex., Long Island Iced Tea "looking to get wasted," Cosmopolitan "a pretender," or the infamous Jack and Coke "rough around the edges." I prefer to share some basics on what to order when you are wearing your work "hat" and/or out with the boss or management.
Let's start with what you do if the boss orders a drink, it's a good idea for you to do so as well. For the non-drinkers, the safe order is a sparkling water or club soda with a twist of lime or lemon, stay away from ordering a Coke or Pepsi, reason for this is optics (not to mention the sugar issue). A club soda with a twist looks just like a gin or vodka tonic and will help minimize the questions (and assumptions) on why you are not drinking (there's a time and place to go through this inquisition, and this occasion is not it). Okay, for the drinkers, your safe order is a glass of wine (see my earlier blog regarding the movie, Sideways). If you’re attending an outdoor event, a cold beer is definitely appropriate, however, whenever possible, try asking for a glass or cup, as opposed to drinking out of the bottle. This will minimize the carbonation, which will decrease any bloating, it's also much classier to drink out of a chilled mug or stem ware. If the boss insists you drink a cocktail, go ahead and order but don't feel you have to finish (one sip or two will suffice). This is also good if the boss orders a round of whatever he/she is drinking. At all costs, stay away from taking shots, with names such as, Redheaded Slut, Alabama Slammer or Gorilla Fart, do you really think anything good will will happen?!
Let's start with what you do if the boss orders a drink, it's a good idea for you to do so as well. For the non-drinkers, the safe order is a sparkling water or club soda with a twist of lime or lemon, stay away from ordering a Coke or Pepsi, reason for this is optics (not to mention the sugar issue). A club soda with a twist looks just like a gin or vodka tonic and will help minimize the questions (and assumptions) on why you are not drinking (there's a time and place to go through this inquisition, and this occasion is not it). Okay, for the drinkers, your safe order is a glass of wine (see my earlier blog regarding the movie, Sideways). If you’re attending an outdoor event, a cold beer is definitely appropriate, however, whenever possible, try asking for a glass or cup, as opposed to drinking out of the bottle. This will minimize the carbonation, which will decrease any bloating, it's also much classier to drink out of a chilled mug or stem ware. If the boss insists you drink a cocktail, go ahead and order but don't feel you have to finish (one sip or two will suffice). This is also good if the boss orders a round of whatever he/she is drinking. At all costs, stay away from taking shots, with names such as, Redheaded Slut, Alabama Slammer or Gorilla Fart, do you really think anything good will will happen?!
