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Message
Taking Clients out for Dinner and Drinks
Posted on 7/20/12 at 7:52 am
Posted on 7/20/12 at 7:52 am
I have to take some business clients out to eat and drink when they come into town. This is the first time I am having to do this. My only problem with it is I do not drink alcohol. My Uncle, who owns the company, normally does this but he is going to be out of town when they come in. I remember a long time ago my father telling me, when taking clients out, they can get upset if you do not drink, thinking you are trying to pull something over them or they might think you are better than them. I do not have a problem with people who drink, it is just a choice I live. My question is who you have a problem someone taking you out to for dinner and drinks does not drink?
10
Posted on 7/20/12 at 7:57 am to miamitiger
I always say "you can't trust a man that doesn't drink beer"
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:06 am to yellowfin
quote:
I always say "you can't trust a man that doesn't drink beer"
:kige:
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:08 am to miamitiger
quote:
My question is who you have a problem someone taking you out to for dinner and drinks does not drink?
No but you better not be a bump on a log.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:35 am to miamitiger
My dad used to take clients out all the time and did not drink and you have one of a few choices. 1) order one drink with them and you can either slowly sip on it or just let it sit there, but it will make them feel as if you are drinking. Option 2) Get there before them and order a Club Soda with lime, when they arrive it will look as if you are drinking and when the waitress comes you can just say, "May I have another". And it will give off the impression you are drinking and no one will be none the wiser! 
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:40 am to tdavi48
What tdavi said is probably the way I would go
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:42 am to miamitiger
quote:
My question is who you have a problem someone taking you out to for dinner and drinks does not drink?
Of course not, and I regularly entertain customers. I have more an issue with people who don't like good food. Some people have alcohol problems, some just choose to abstain. Drink water, but shite, can we just eat good food?
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:42 am to tdavi48
quote:
2) Get there before them and order a Club Soda with lime, when they arrive it will look as if you are drinking and when the waitress comes you can just say, "May I have another". And it will give off the impression you are drinking and no one will be none the wiser!
What if she was like "another club soda?"
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:46 am to tdavi48
First off: I don't like drinking around non drinkers, it makes me nervous, which defeats the point of drinking.
However, on business, I'm okay with a non drinker.
If you are going to see the guys again this is a good choice.
If you aren't going to see them again, tell them that you are finishing up some medication and can't drink, but insist that they have one for you.
However, on business, I'm okay with a non drinker.
If you are going to see the guys again this is a good choice.
quote:
Option 2) Get there before them and order a Club Soda with lime, when they arrive it will look as if you are drinking and when the waitress comes you can just say, "May I have another". And it will give off the impression you are drinking and no one will be none the wiser!
If you aren't going to see them again, tell them that you are finishing up some medication and can't drink, but insist that they have one for you.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 8:49 am to miamitiger
quote:
I have to take some business clients out to eat and drink when they come into town. This is the first time I am having to do this. My only problem with it is I do not drink alcohol. My Uncle, who owns the company, normally does this but he is going to be out of town when they come in. I remember a long time ago my father telling me, when taking clients out, they can get upset if you do not drink, thinking you are trying to pull something over them or they might think you are better than them. I do not have a problem with people who drink, it is just a choice I live. My question is who you have a problem someone taking you out to for dinner and drinks does not drink?
Don't stress about it. Order a club soda or a ginger ale and eat something really good.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:14 am to tdavi48
I'd take more offense to that than them just saying they didn't drink.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:18 am to yellowfin
quote:Yeah... If you're going to not drink, don't pretend to either.
I'd take more offense to that than them just saying they didn't drink.
If you don't drink, own it. Be comfortable with it. Make a joke about it. Make it a non-issue.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:19 am to miamitiger
Tell them you're hitting the bath salts and don't want to mix and upper with a downer. They'll understand.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:33 am to miamitiger
Just say this: "Guys I would drink with yall tonite but I got so fricked up last night I puked in my car when I pulled in the driveway and ended up pissing on the old lady after I somehow managed to get into bed. It's been like this for months now and she's at her wits end. If she smells any alcohol on me when I get in she said she's taking the kids and move out for good. Plus there's the whole pissing blood thing thats got me concerned. Fortunantly I scored some lortab from the mexicans that cut the grass at the office, so it's not like I'm stone sober over here. But enough about me, who wants some fried mushrooms?"
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:35 am to miamitiger
i never trust a man that doesn't drink. unless he's a recovering alcoholic
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:43 am to miamitiger
Just be honest and tell them you don't drink. They will respect that. But definitely be conversational.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:46 am to LoyalTiger
quote:
But definitely be conversational
This. Make sure you don't come off as being judgemental or aggrevated that they are drinking around you.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:52 am to LSUballs
Makes sense
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:55 am to Geauxld Finger
Few thoughts coming from someone who entertains and is entertained regularly:
1.) If I was said client and I got the impression you were lying to me or trying to pull a fast one on me, I would never do business with you. Even with something as stupid as having drinks or drinking, if you try to deceive your client, they will wonder what else that deceit will carry over to. Don't order a tonic and tell everyone it's vodka.
2.) If I'm you, and my getting this client's business depends on whether or not your drink, it's not a customer you want. I enjoy drinking and I enjoy drinking in business. However, I would never do business with people because they're "cool" or because I like drinking with them. I do business with people that are good at what they do...regardless of their personal decision to drink or not.
To qualify my post, I've gotten drunker than Cooter Brown with clients and people who I'm a client of. However, when I'm driving myself or others to and from a work event, I have 0 drinks. I could care less if those that I'm with think that's awkward or less attractive to do business with.
Drink what you want and own it.
1.) If I was said client and I got the impression you were lying to me or trying to pull a fast one on me, I would never do business with you. Even with something as stupid as having drinks or drinking, if you try to deceive your client, they will wonder what else that deceit will carry over to. Don't order a tonic and tell everyone it's vodka.
2.) If I'm you, and my getting this client's business depends on whether or not your drink, it's not a customer you want. I enjoy drinking and I enjoy drinking in business. However, I would never do business with people because they're "cool" or because I like drinking with them. I do business with people that are good at what they do...regardless of their personal decision to drink or not.
To qualify my post, I've gotten drunker than Cooter Brown with clients and people who I'm a client of. However, when I'm driving myself or others to and from a work event, I have 0 drinks. I could care less if those that I'm with think that's awkward or less attractive to do business with.
Drink what you want and own it.
Posted on 7/20/12 at 9:59 am to notiger1997
Unless your customers are teenagers, recent college grads, or maybe blue collar tough guys or the like, I really just don't see someone saying they don't drink as being perceived as anything odd or put offish, unless you make a bid deal of it or act self righteous about it. Most educated professionals have enough maturity about them to look over nonsense like drinking or not drinking, unless like has been said, you come off like it's a big deal. Just be yourself, be jovial and warm and normal people will accept you as such and warm up to you regardless.
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