# "Sorry we don't have Coke is Pepsi fine?" "Actually no it's not..." Do you refuse other brand colas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [May 14, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398 "2022-05-14T06:59:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/1 "2022-05-14T06:59:05Z")
NOTE THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DO DRINK COLAS WITH THEIR MEAL. I DON’T CARE IF YOU DRINK NEITHER Thanks to the Coke/Pepsi Wars most restaurants exclusively serve one cola or the other. But I’m curious, are there people who if told they don’t have Coke and if Pepsi is okay, they refuse and just don’t drink a cola, or vice versa? I feel most people if choosing to drink a soda with their meal will automatically choose what’s available even if they do have a preference. I’m the same, I actually prefer Pepsi but a Coke is completely fine since most places have it and I don’t really care that much. My only line in the sand is Cherry Coke vs Cherry Pepsi. I don’t like Cherry Coke’s taste so if I ask for a Cherry soda and they only serve Coke and Cherry Coke, I’ll just drink a regular Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/2 "2022-05-14T07:00:57Z")
I’m not brand-picky. I’m just happy if the staff gets DH’s sugar-free right (he’s diabetic). I’ve developed a habit of taking a tiny sip of his drink to verify that it tastes like diet/sugar-free/zero sugar. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/3 "2022-05-14T07:10:05Z")
If they don’t have coke, only Pepsi, I’ll order a clear soda like 7up, Sprite, or even ginger ale; whatever they have. I don’t really have a preference among those. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/4 "2022-05-14T07:29:24Z")
In the days of normal sugared cola, I had preferences but largely wasn’t picky. With diet colas I can be picky. Some of them simply suck ass (to me). As an example for me Coke Zero is okay, Diet Coke is not - if the choice is [Diet Coke or crab juice to go with my Khlav Kalash](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NFv5IGP2uA), I’ll generally go with the crab juice. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/5 "2022-05-14T07:35:01Z")
If my server asks me if Pepsi is okay then I order a Dr. Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/6 "2022-05-14T07:38:22Z")
My Beloved does the same thing for me-If she shudders I know it is o.k. for me to drink it. As far as preference goes, I prefer Coke Zero but I will take Diet Pepsi, but never Diet Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/7 "2022-05-14T08:14:37Z")
I have a preference but I do not care so much to refuse one or the other (Coke v Pepsi or Sprite v 7-Up). I will outright refuse diet-soda anything. Rather have water. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/8 "2022-05-14T10:23:06Z")
When I drank cola, Pepsi was not an adequate substitute for Coke. Though RC and Jolt were. I did send a Pepsi back once and got just water instead. Usually places were clear on what Cola they had. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/9 "2022-05-14T10:44:12Z")
I don’t care. I’m not a big cola drinker though, I’m most likely to have it as a mixer with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/10 "2022-05-14T10:56:07Z")
I have literally never heard of, much less seen, someone IRL refusing Pepsi/No-Brand Cola over Coke. I like cola and I honestly don’t care which one I’m having at a restaurant with dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/11 "2022-05-14T11:04:48Z")
If I asked for Coke and was served Pepsi, or vice-versa, I honestly wouldn’t even notice. In fact, I don’t even specify when ordering. I’ll ask for a “diet whatever”. mmm ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/12 "2022-05-14T11:09:13Z")
I choose Diet Coke or water over Diet Pepsi. Spousal unit claims he doesn’t taste a difference between the two colas, but I certainly do. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/13 "2022-05-14T12:12:15Z")
I love Diet Coke (I find that regular Coke feels too syrupy unless diluted with rum). If a restaurant only has Diet Pepsi I’ll switch to sparkling water or club soda. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/14 "2022-05-14T12:14:41Z")
Many years ago, my son would always order the cola that the restaurant didn’t serve. Every time - “Sorry we don’t have Coke is Pepsi fine?” or “Sorry we don’t have Pepsi is Coke fine?” He would politely reply, “Oh, of course. That will be perfect.” Once I asked him if he knew which chain had which cola. He replied, “Yes, but one day I may get lucky.” He persisted with his quest even after that. Next time I see him I will have to ask if he still does it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/15 "2022-05-14T12:21:13Z")
When drinking cola out at a restaurant\* I’m OK with either Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. Given the likely variations in the way places mix their fountain drinks, I doubt people who swear by one or the other could tell the difference. \*I am the least interesting man in the world. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/16 "2022-05-14T12:29:46Z")
Pepsi was sweeter, Coke more bitter sweet I guess. I may have been served Pepsi from time to time without my knowing it, but I could tell the difference back when I was drinking a lot of cola. Now I don’t drink cola. I dropped colas altogether over a decade ago. I do still drink Root Beer, Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer. Occasionally a Sprite or 7-Up. But mostly water or beer with Ice Tea coming in third. And of course a mug of coffee every morning. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/17 "2022-05-14T12:39:03Z")
Had a friend who would ask for diet brown soda, he pretty much didn’t care. I don’t really drink soda enough to have a preference, but it needs to be diet - in a pinch I will drink water if they have no diet. I do not like commercial ice tea - I might ask for the cup of hot water to use my own tea bags, and I bring powdered lemon juice with me also. Now, one might consider which non-nutritive sweetener is in use by the manufacturer as the determining factor as to which brands are suitable - AceK has a hot vinyl in sun sort of mouth/nose sensing, stevia has a green liquorice backtaste, cyclamates can be bitter if you are a ‘taster’. I find equal and splenda acceptable, I prefer splenda to equal which does have a very slight chemical taste to it. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/18 "2022-05-14T13:13:46Z")
“We don’t have Coke, is Pepsi okay?” “No!” And I burn the place to the ground. Well, actually, I usually opt for either Dr. Pepper or Mt. Dew, depending on my mood(and not all places that have Pepsi have Dr. Pepper), but I _do_ notice a very distinct difference between Coke and Pepsi, Pepsi is too cloyingly sweet, and leaves an unpleasant aftertaste. What I _don’t_ appreciate are the times when they take my order for Coke, and just give me a Pepsi without warning. Though that happens far less frequently now than it used to. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/19 "2022-05-14T13:15:57Z")
No, because I can’t taste the difference. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398/20 "2022-05-14T13:16:28Z")
I prefer Pepsi. Coke is OK. Other colas are swill. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-we-dont-have-coke-is-pepsi-fine-actually-no-its-not-do-you-refuse-other-brand-colas/964398.md?page=2)