There comes a time in the life of a business professional where work moves to a setting where alcohol is served. For those who are new to both the business and drinking scene
and for those whose previous encounters with alcohol resulted in a state of irrational exuberance, being able to drink for the job (as opposed to on the job) is a useful trait to
possess.
"In some cultures over 60% of business is conducted after 6:00pm," says Bruce D. Seymour, a business development consultant in Plainville, CT, and co-author (with Steve Smith)
of "Bulletproof Salesman: A Lively Guide to Enhance Your Sales Techniques" (Productive Publications). "What that means is that it's important to accept invitations to
social settings with customers."
Seymour emphasizes the business element that goes with drinking, stressing it's poor form to get drunk or ill.
"In order to transact business, there must be trust," he says. "Trust is based on confidence in the integrity, strength and ability of a person. In order to reach a level of
trust, people need to spend time together. Social settings combined with beverages that lower inhibitions are a perfect way to see whether or not the other person is a real
jerk."
Of course, not every person has to drink alcohol in a social-business setting and many people (for reasons of health, religion or personal preferences) opt not to indulge. But
for those who opt to belly up to the bar, Seymour offers the following advice to keep your senses intact amidst the clink of ice cubes in a glass.
Drink beverages with lower alcohol content. Seymour notes this would require a bit of research in advance, but it would nonetheless save you in the long run (Budweiser
Light has the lowest percent alcohol for beers at 3.43 while Young's London Ale is the highest with 6.09).
Order your drinks with ice. The more ice, the less alcohol in the glass.
Never completely finish the drink. "If you leave 20% of your drink in the glass, it adds up," says Seymour. "And you still look like a team player/drinker."
Don't drink on an empty stomach. "Eat starchy foods at dinner and consume large quantities of water," adds Seymour.
Feel free to cheat. "I had a colleague who had an absolutely amazing capacity to drink straight tequila and maintain a conversation with his impressed hosts," recalls
Seymour. "I asked him what the trick was. He pulled his secret weapon out of his pocket: A $20 bill. That's what he paid the waitress to water down his drinks."
Contact: Bruce D. Seymour, [email protected].