# Drink before or after? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 12, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143 "2009-05-12T06:36:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/1 "2009-05-12T06:36:05Z")
Ok, I’m writing this post because of a habit several people think is odd. How many people only drink after a meal? If I’m eating out, I tend to have several sodas before my meal arrives at the table, stop and then resume drinking afterwards. When I’m at home, I only drink something when I’m done to wash the food done. Apparently, several people think it’s unusual not to drink throughout the meal. So is it? ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/2 "2009-05-12T14:55:06Z")
yes. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/3 "2009-05-12T14:59:25Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/4 "2009-05-12T15:02:28Z")
No. While I’m at a restaurant, I usually order a few drinks before the food arrives because I need something to do while I’m waiting. At home, I just eat then drink when I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/5 "2009-05-12T15:14:27Z")
Depending on what I’m drinking, when it’s delivered to the table if I’m in a restaurant, and how much of it there is, I’ll drink for some combination of before, during, and after a meal, but never just after. (Also, this should probably be moved to IMHO.) ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/6 "2009-05-12T15:14:52Z")
**"How many people only drink after a meal?"** Four hundred eighty-eight people only drink after a meal. Some people drink and have sex after a meal. Some of those drink some more after that. Some people only drink. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/7 "2009-05-12T15:28:04Z")
A diet trick I learned is to drink something (usually tea, hot or iced) to tell myself “Meal’s over. No more eating.” After a while, it becomes a conditioned response. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/8 "2009-05-12T15:32:39Z")
I’ll drink throughout a meal. Mouthful of food, sip of liquid. mouthful of food, sip of liquid…eating and drinking is actually one action. Only the substance changes. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/9 "2009-05-12T16:10:19Z")
Throughout the meal. Especially if the weather is hot. Or if the food is hot. Or if the food is dry. I can’t understand it when I’m invited to a friend on a hot summer day, and no drinks arrive until the middle or end of the meal. I don’t object to their right to do things the way they like, but can someone please explain WHY they like doing it that way? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-before-or-after/496143/10 "2009-05-12T16:22:36Z")
You’ll find some anecdotal evidence (and a bit of controversy) in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=513778).