SalesHQ

 How about a nice tall ice cold Mojito, then maybe another one!

 Larry being in sales when I order the coke thing the customer always asks why no liquior are you sick, don't you drink,ect?

John,

If I'm with a customer, I ALWAYS ask them to go ahead and order first (after all, it's only polite). Then, I base my choice on what they order. I will usually order the same type that they order, then nurse it and just sip at that one drink the entire time. If they mention the only one drink of mine, I will say something like. "I have to drive" or "Unfortunately, I've got to finish a big report before work tomorrow" -- something like that.

I've noticed that people who drink, do seem to be at least a little offended with others who don't drink with them or drink something they don't agree with. Some wine drinkers are uncomfortable with beer drinkers, etc. I've never encountered anyone (of real substance, anyway) who was uncomfortable with me only having one drink.

It's all part of the mirroring and people being attracted to others like them. And, you do not want to take any chances of losing any control or creating a situation where you forget something. Which reminds me, just like remembering names, it always helps to remember what someone drinks. It has a little impressiveness if next time you say, "John, you still like your Cutty?" or whatever. But don't automatically order for someone until you've verified that's what they want.

If someone orders a coke, I will not order liquor. If it's a group and the top person or next to the top orders coke, that's what I do.

There almost always seems to be a little ritual when dealing with customers at cocktail time.

Unless the salesperson is a recovering alcoholic, I would suggest the salesperson order a similar drink and just dabble at it.

Social drinkers seem to want to have permission and are uncomfortable without it. And, just ordering a drink and possibly not even touching it, says, "It's okay".

It's our job to ensure the prospect/customer is as comfortable as possible (within acceptable boundaries, of course).

Besides, you want the customer to drink. You will almost always get closer and quicker to some kind of close, than if they didn't.

I just remembered one of my old strategies: I would order a straight-up shot of bourbon or scotch (depending on what they were drinking) with a water back (on the side) and then just sip the water.

All great points guys. I agree moderation is the key...

 You know I use to feel sorry for the people who did not drink.

WHY?

Because when they wake up the next day thats as good as they are going to feel all day.

What about just plain water?  Does just ordering water make you look cheap?  I quit drinking soft drinks a number of years ago.  I like to have a beer now and then, but if a client did not order an alcoholic drink, I can get stuck.  I don't care for tea, but can drink it.  When I go to dinner, I usually order water or lemonade, but I wouldn't get lemonade at a business dinner.

Now, that being said, lemonade might be a perfect drink because it's almost certain that they aren't seeing many professional drink lemonade and it could become a conversation point and would almost certainly be something different that they'd remember.

Luke

I don't really drink that much anymore...got sick of the hang overs...once in awhile when I get a hair up my ass I can still hang....back in the day I loved to drink cocain ladies (stronger version of a white russian), like margarittas, long islands, pina colada, captain and coke, zambooka (sp), molson ice....but mostly now I'm just a water girl....plain ol' h20 and I don't need the lemon...just a straw...and no hangovers!!! Amen!!! That is so worth it to me!

Well, those of us who aren't from New Orleans.  I was just at a friend's 40th birthday party and he had a bunch of friends and family in town from NO.  I absolutely do not see how people my age and older can drink like that.

Luke

rjp says ...

I think we all get to that point where we don't drink as much we used to - that's a good thing. Still enjoy a good scotch - 

Any time i have been with a customer, i will drink a spritzer and hope they drink till the cows come home. lol

im not much of a drinker.

its not that i have anything against drinking - I just can't find an alcoholic beverage that I like.  I'm always a bit envious of people who have a 'favourite drink' that they love.  I have tried every combination of mixers and cocktails.  I find wine / champagne repulsive.  I usually start the night with a whisky and coke and immediately regret it, so order a midori and something and hate it, so then a gin an tonic bleurk - and then by that time I've got a headache.

Any suggestions out there for a drink I can try that isn't too sweet, that is acceptable to order at a business function.  Obviously I'm not going to order an 'orgasm' or any of those embarassing drinks in front of clients.  something that makes me seem like a sophisticated woman of the world in front of the clients (I guess that rules out a 'slow comfortable screw')

:)

JDG - how about a "baybreeze".....

What about these people that mix Red Bull with liquor?

Some of the most popular red bull mixed drinks and red bull mixed with alcohol include:

• Red Bull Wings - Red Bull and Vodka


• Bull Breeze - Red Bull, Vodka and Cranberry juice


• Bull Rider - Red Bull, Jack Daniels & Lemonade


• Bullgaritas - Red Bull, Tequila and Margarita mix


• Bullionaire - Red Bull, Gin, OJ and Cranberry juice


• Bull's Eye - Red Bull, Stoli Raspberry & Chambord


• Bulmosa - Red Bull, Champagne and OJ


• Flirg Bull - Red Bull, Amoretto and OJ


• Invisibull - Red Bull & Bacardi Limon


• Kissabull - Red Bull & Grape Pucker


• Malibull - Red Bull, Malibu rim & pineapple juice


• Melonbull - Red Bull, Midori and Vodka


• Original Gangsta Bull - Red Bull, Gin and OJ juice


• Red Bull Blaster or Torpedo - A shot of Jagermeister dropped into a glass of Red Bull


• Red Sky - Red Bull, Sky vodka, OJ grenadine


• Southern Bull - Red Bull and Southern Comfort


• Speed Ball - Red Bull, Stoli orange and OJ


• Thug Passion - Red Bull and Alize


• Thug Viagra - Shot of Hennessey chased by Red Bull


• Viagra Martini - Red Bull, Martini and a cherry whip cream optional

i just went to a winery  had a gourmet pizza and shared a bottle of resling with my husband...two glasses...sitting by the fireplace..snowing outside...that was a nice tuesday night.

Winnie!

You had riesling with pizza?

Isn't that a little sweet?