09 June,2009 07:50 AM IST | | Shikha Shah
Why waste time hitting on the wrong contender at that next pub crawl, when a doc in London brings you a guide to figuring out a stranger's personality just by looking at how they hold their drink
The wise say it takes a lifetime, sometimes more, to figure out people, even those you share a home, bank balance and kids with. But a doc in London says, "Bullocks!". Body language clues can be picked up instantly to help you figure basic personality traits in strangers, he believes. Holding a glass by the stem says one thing, clutching the bowl says quite the opposite. Making eye contact while you take a sip sends another message altogether. Whether you take short sips or prefer gulping your drink down can be serious dope for psychiatrists.
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Model-actor Upen Patel with former girlfriend Shamita Singha |
What type of drinker are you?
Jack the lad
He is conscious of his image and will drink a bottled beer, or cider. He is confident with arrogant body language, and often territorial in his gestures, spreading himself over as much space as possible, for example, pushing the glass well away from himself and leaning back in his chair. If he's drinking with his mates, he is unlikely to welcome approaches from outside the group, unless flattering and ego enhancing.
Your celeb twin: Bollywood actor Upen Patel
The gossip
It's mostly a female drinker who tends to cluster in all-female groups chatting about other people. She holds a wine glass by the bowl and uses it to gesticulate and make points in conversation using motion. She leans over her drink towards others so as to speak confidentially. She already has a close-knit social group with little inclination to extend it, so, advances from outsiders are not usually welcome.
Your celeb twin: Brit supermodel Kate Moss
The fun-lover
It can be a man or a woman, who drinks to be gregarious and values togetherness. A convivial individual, he or she enjoys being with friends and share a laugh. Swigs taken from bottled drinks are short, so he/she doesn't miss out on chipping in with the conversation. The bottle is held loosely at its shoulder for ease. She/he is happy to extend his/her social circle. The best way to approach them is to leap directly into light, good-humoured conversation and make them laugh.
Your celeb twin: Bollywood actress Preity Zinta
The flirt
This tends to be a female personality. She holds her glass with graceful, splayed fingers and uses it in a provocative way. She positions it over her cleavage so as to draw attention to her traits, or peers over the rim to make eye contact when taking a sip. She even teases the rim of the glass with her finger, dipping it into the drink and sucking it dry. As her agenda is appealing, she approaches with reciprocal flirtatious gestures.
Your celeb twin: American heiress Paris Hilton
The wallflower
This is someone who is shy, submissive and holds the glass protectively, as though afraid somebody will take it away. Palms are kept hidden, the drink is never quite finished, with a mouthful left in case of emergency. He/she may drink through a straw, which is used to stir the drink between sips. Approach this person in a gentle way, with a few understated compliments to buildu00a0 self-confidence.
Your celeb twin: Bollywood actress Amrita Rao
The ice queen
This is mostly a female, and her natural style is cold and defensive. She drinks from a wine glass or a short glass, and holds it firmly in a barrier position across the body so as to deter intimate approaches. It might be a waste of time approaching this woman as she is usually ready with a castrating put-down.
Your celeb twin: Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai
The playboy
This man is the active, self-confident, Don Juan-type seducer. He uses his usually long glass or bottle as a phallic prop, playing with it suggestively. He is inclined to be possessive, and can be tactile with his female companions.
Your celeb twin: Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor
The Browbeater
This one is generally an argumentative male. He prefers large glasses or bottles, which he uses as symbolic weapons, firmly grasped, and gesturing in a threatening, "in-the-face" kind of way. He thinks he knows it all and comes across as slightly hostile, just through verbal argument, or jokes targeted at others. Be cautious while you approach him.
Your celeb twin: Hollywood actor Russel Crowe
How to store, pour, drink
A no-nonsense, no bullsh't 5-spirit guide
If you want to be a pub-crawling rogue who doesn't care what he's downing, we are fine. Assuming you are choosy about your spirit, where it comes from and what you munch on while you sip it, here's what the experts say is vital information before you say, Cheers!
WINE
How to store: Before drinking wine, you need to bring it to an appropriate temperature. Most white wines taste best between 8 to 10 degrees celcius. Red wines taste good between 14 to 18 degrees celcius.
How to pour: After you rip off the foil and before you get ready to uncork the bottle, wipe the mouth. Sniff the cork to ensure there is no unpleasant aroma that could indicate spoilage. In case your wine contains any sediment, decant it (remove the grit by pouring it into another container through cheesecloth, a wire mesh or coffee filters). Pour the drink in a long-stemmed glass and let it settle for a moment. This will allow the complexity of the flavours to come through.
How to drink: If you are serving wine at dinner, opt for larger glasses. Sniff the wine, take a sip and roll it on your tongue to enjoy the flavours, before you gulp it down gently.
Pairing it with food: Red wines go best with red meat, while seafood and poultry are good with whites. An old wine is always decanted just before serving while younger wines need to be decanted a few hours before drinking.
CHAMPAGNE
How to store: You enjoy the smell and the taste of champagne when its temperature is about (45F) 7C. Chill the champagne by placing the bottle in an ice bucket with one half ice and one half water. Chill it for about one and a half hour. Do not leave it in the refrigerator any longer as it may take on the flavours of the refrigerator. Avoid placing it in the freezer, as this leads to imbalance in the alcohol and taints the contents of the bottle.
How to pour: Hold a finger or thumb over the cork while removing the hood, so it doesn't pop randomly. The glass should be held near the bottle when it is first opened. Holding the bottle at the base with a thumb in the punt, and the fingers on the barrel of the bottle, pour about an inch of champagne into each glass. Let the froth settle before you continue pouring.u00a0
How to drink: Champagne is served in long-stemmed flutes or tulip-shaped glasses that help enhance the flow of bubbles to the crown and concentrate the flavour and effervescence of the drink. Do not chill the glass. Hold your flute by its stem and away from the bowl to avoid warming the champagne with your hands, and keep its temperature just right. Do not sip it in a hurry. Champagne should be savoured.
Pairing it with food: Sushi and Stuffed Mushrooms go well with champagne, as do light appetisers like eggs and soft cheese.
If your glasses bear prints or a design, washing them with plain water works just as well as a soapy water scrub.u00a0u00a0
TEQUILA
How to drink: Slice a lemon into eight small pieces. Fill a shot glass with ice-cold tequila. Lick the skin between your thumb and forefinger and sprinkle a small pinch of salt so that it sticks there. Using the same hand that holds the salt, hold a slice of lemon between your thumb and index finger. Quickly lick the salt, down the tequila, and bite into the lemon. Swish it around in your mouth for a couple of seconds before gulping it down.
Pairing it with food: Tequila goes best with Mexican cuisine, and is often served with sliced cucumbers, raw mangoes sprinkled with salt, pepper and lime juice.
The adventurous can try Tequila with cinnamon (replacing salt) and orange slices (replacing lime). This is a popular combination with Germans.u00a0
VODKA
How to store: The only secret of serving it neat is to store vodka in the freezer. Don't worry about freezing; the high alcohol content prohibits this.
How to drink: Vodka is always taken in shots, never sipped. Immediately after downing a shot, squeeze down slices of lime.
Pairing it with food: Eat light food before you start with your drinking session to ensure your digestive system is not strained. Munching on sliced salted cucumber is good between shots; it will help neutralise the alcohol in your body. A wholesome meal after the drinking session helps stress down the digestive system.
BEER
How to store: In your fridge in an upright position at less than 7u00b0C. Do not tilt it while removing it; the agitation might stir up settled yeast and produce off-flavours. Don't store outside; bottles may explode.
How to pour: Pour your beer straight into the glass with a steady stream and minimal gurgling inside the bottle. Pour it from high above the glass for maximum head. Avoid adding salt or the beer will go flat instantly.
How to drink: Serve in chilled walled mugs or tall Pilsener type glasses. Store the glasses in the same fridge as the beer and see to it that the fridge is free from open food containers that can transfer aroma or odour. Never place your drinking glasses in a freezer since it leads to formation of ice upon pouring.
Pairing it with food: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Masala Peanuts and Cashews go well with beer.
