Crazy rant about Pepsi and Coke

For those of you who don't know, I'm a waiter. My restaurant serves Pepsi products. When people order coke I usually say something like "pepsi?" so they know they're not getting Coke.

Today 6 people upon hearing that we have pepsi changed their order to something else. 6 people. 6 adults. middle class, normal, sensible, probably well-educated, nice adults.

This isn't just a random phenomenon. It's happened dozens, maybe hundreds of times since I've started working in restaurants. And not just places with pepsi either. When I'm at Coke restaurants there are people who won't drink the Coke.

All I have to say is: WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT BRAND OF SUGAR WATER YOU DRINK. YOU ARE FUCKING INSANE AND YOU NEED HELP.

Its not just a matter of taste, I honestly think you have been brainwashed by the advertising of these gigantic multinational corperations.

It's one thing to prefer one to the other but how can the difference be so drastic as to affect whether or not you want a cola? Why is plain water or a glass of juice or an ice tea so much preferable to the brand of coke you prefer less.

To those of you who think you can't stand the brand of cola you don't usually drink, check this out: In two of the five restaurants I've worked at we always had as an unofficial house policy told people we sold Coke brand because what's most people prefer but in actualality we sold RC cola cus its cheaper. I'd bet that a lot of smaller places do this--especially at bars. And I've never ever ever ever heard of any guest pointing out the difference or sending their soda back.

Anyways, I really do want to know you any of you have to say if you are one of those people who will refuse one of the two major brands of cola. Why is it do you think you are this way? If someone served you Pepsi and you thought it was Coke and weren't really thinking about it do you really think you would notice or care?


[Edited on Oct 25, 2003 by Dave_H]

Pepsi tastes sweeter to me. Call me crazy, but it does.

Often, I'll change my order because I realize they have Coke or Pepsi *products*, which means I might want a Mountain Dew instead of a Sprite, or vice versa.

To be fair, I always ask, "Do you have Coke or Pepsi," before they ask for my beverage order, and yes, I DO look at the beverage menu first.

I do that. I know the difference between Coke and Pepsi and it's a personal preference. I don't like drinking Pepsi so if that's what's being served, I'll change my order. To some people it makes a difference, to some it doesn't. Some people (like my Coke addicted roommate) are downright anal about it.

This is normally when I order iced tea at restaurants.

well, I know this is probably a very minute percentage of the people you're talking about....but if you work for Coke you'll get fired for drinking Pepsi and vice versa.

i like cherry coke and dr pepper.......

but anyway. the bar i worked at for the longest time sold pepsi and it was apparent to anyone who had even partial sight that this was the case as PEPSI was all over the pump.....but they'd still say jack and coke or whatever coz it's the first cola you think about. i never said "but it's pepsi" coz people don't give a shit when they're out drinking... in england anyway
to me the difference between pepsi and coke is distinguishable, having said that i don't think they are so different it should cause someone to change their order
but i'm not really bothered about drinking either so i guess my opinion doesn't count

i do however have a problem with people who drink diet coke

If I have ever do have a passing preference, it's because whichever the other company is at the moment has an particularly lame advertising campaign.



[Edited on Oct 25, 2003 by Shifgrethor]

So someone does pay attention to that shit! And here I thought they were just wasting my time...

Additionally, I HATE Diet Coke, but I love Diet Pepsi.

it is a matter of taste. aside from being the real thing, coke is saltier.

ah, the real thing

coca-cola is a bit more acidic than pepsi.

It is actually possible, and is maybe more often the case, to pay attention to things that are a waste of time.

carry on...

[Edited on Oct 25, 2003 by unravled]

i'll second that. pepsi kinda tastes watered down. maybe it's the stuff they spilt on the floor at the coke bottling plant

I know brother...I know....

RC and Coke taste very much alike. Pepsi tastes like something I'd use to poison rats that I didn't like very much. I understand that this statement is by and large ridiculous, but I stand by it.

Are you still working at Fuzio's? People shouldn't drink any kind of sugar water with the food at Fuzio's, most of which is best consumed with very cold beer ... Sierra Nevada IPA, I'd say.

[edited to omit unnecessary crap]

[Edited on Oct 25, 2003 by StickyRice]

yup. that's exactly what you said.

sincerely,

a pepsi lover

I'll go ya one further.....In bottles and cans I prefer Coke, but when it comes to fountain drinks I prefer Pepsi.


Dr. Pepper kicks both of their asses overall though so I usually ask for that.

He has a good point. Maybe I'm insane, but I prefer some brands in bottles, others in cans, and others from the fountain. I'm not sure why that is, but I swear the taste is different.

I LOVE Coke from a can, but I hate it in bottles and don't mind it from a fountain.

I hate Pepsi in a can 'cause it goes flat so quickly, but I love it off a fountain, and it's okay in bottles.

Fountain Dew is the best, but it's good in cans or bottles as well. For some reason, it's just better off the fountain... almost like a pure caffeine rush. It actually makes me shudder a bit.

There actually is a difference in taste between Coke and Pepsi.

Same with Mr Pib and Dr Pepper and old lemon lime Slice and Sprite.

RC Cola has a distinct flavor as well.

I can probably still tell you what soda pop is what from taste alone, root beers included because I loves me the root beers.

the taste, carbonation, etc in fountain poured drinks can vary so much as to make it hard to tell the difference sometimes......... but not when it's from cans or bottles.......

here's a fairly common verbal exchange down her in Texas.. i find it funny
a: hey, you going to the store?
b: yeah, you want something?
a: uh huh, would you get me a coke?
b: sure, what kind?
a. Dr. Pepper........

Then there is always the regional differences in how to ask for a carbonated beverage.

Coke?
Soda?
Pop?

It's an ongoing debate in Michigan. The upper peninsula says, "Soda," because they identify more with Wisconsin and Minnesota. People in the lower peninsula say, "pop," because of Faygo Pop (a Michigan product).

I say, "Soda," because I think it sounds better. You wouldn't BELIEVE the uproar this can cause. People are fanatical about debating the terms in this state. It's silly.