This Budweiser Study Reveals That People are Judging You Based on What You’re Drinking

So you walk into a bar, order your regular and never think much of it. However, what if you knew that you’re being judged by your choice of drink? Also – what if you knew that you’re judging other people by their choices? We tend to think that only our appearance, verbal and nonverbal communication shape how we’re perceived, but our drink choices play a big role too.

Who would think that my personal choice to drink wine would make people think that I’m “serious and reserved?”

This interesting study was brought to you by Budweiser. In their ‘First Impressions’ National Survey they’ve asked 2,000 Americans (ages 21+) to match common bar drinks (beer, wine, champagne, cosmopolitan, margarita, and gin & tonic) with personality traits from the Five Factor Model (agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience).

Here’s what they found:

drink-impressions-infographic-full-size

If you want to learn more details about the study, keep scrolling and reading….

Personality Trait #1: APPROACHABLE & GENUINE
Drink Choice: Domestic Beer (such as Budweiser)
Nickname: “Mr./Ms. Easy Going”

Both women (70%) and men (59%) who drink domestic beer are perceived as more approachable. Imported beer also has a positive approachability effect for both women (36%) and men (29%), but not nearly as strong as a domestic beer (such as Budweiser).

Personality Trait #2: SERIOUS & RESERVED
Drink Choice: Wine
Nickname: “Mr./Ms. Focused”

52% of respondents perceive a man drinking wine as more “serious and reserved,” while 31% believe the same thing for women. Gin & tonic drinkers come in second place for this personality trait, at 23% (men) and 22% (women).

Personality Trait #3: FLASHY & FASHIONABLE
Drink Choice: Cosmopolitan
Nickname: “Mr./Ms. Trendy”

48% of respondents believe a woman drinking a cosmo is “flashy and fashionable,” while 40% agree the same applies to a man. No other drink choice scores high on this personality trait.

Personality Trait #4: ENERGETIC & OUTGOING
Drink Choice: Margarita
Nickname: “Mr./Ms. Free Spirit”

Both women (50%) and men (41%) drinking margaritas seem more “energetic and outgoing.” Domestic beer (like Budweiser) drinkers are also perceived as energetic and outgoing (29% for women and 27% for men), albeit to a lesser degree.

Personality Trait #5: ANALYTICAL & CALCULATING
Drink Choice: Gin & tonic
Nickname: “Mr./Ms. Practical”

30% of respondents believe a man drinking a gin & tonic seems more “analytical & calculating,” while 22% believe the same thing for women. Gin & tonic drinkers also rank high for being “cautious & conventional” (20% for men, 17% for women).

Personality Trait #6: SOPHISTICATED & DEMANDING
Drink Choice: Champagne
Nickname: “Mr./Ms. Fancy”

The survey reports that champagne drinkers seem substantially more “sophisticated and demanding” (57% for women, 41% for men). Wine drinkers also score high on this trait (29% for men and 25% for women).

 

So, what your drink says about you?