# What do you do when you can't get your cola of choice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [March 16, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838 "2014-03-16T15:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/1 "2014-03-16T15:27:32Z")
So, you sit down in a new-to-you restaurant, and the waiter comes by to take your drink order. “I’ll have a Coke,” you say. The waiter apologizes and tells you “We only have Pepsi products. Will that do?” If you prefer Pepsi, imagine the opposite scenario, where only Coke is available. What’s your response? Do you take the competitor’s product, or do you substitute a different soda from the competitor’s line, like a lemon-lime soda, or root beer? Do you just switch your order to tea or water? Do you walk out in a huff? Does the restaurant’s deal with the competitor’s soda company discourage you from going back there? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/2 "2014-03-16T15:42:23Z")
I don’t care. I just ask for a “diet cola” these days, and whether it’s Pepsi, Coke, RC, it makes no difference to me. And quite often the server won’t even correct you if you say “Diet Coke” and you get a diet RC (which to me and others tastes quite different from diet Pepsi and diet Coke.) Personally, my preference is for Coke products. When I drank sugared drinks, my preference was enough that I would often opt for a different drink if they had Pepsi as the cola (although I did like RC, as well.) Nowadays, I don’t care. I just want something cola-flavored and mildly caffeinated. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/3 "2014-03-16T15:48:04Z")
It doesn’t matter. Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi, whatever they have. If they have Diet Mtn. Dew I’ll take that over either of them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/4 "2014-03-16T15:57:40Z")
“In that case, I’ll have a double vodka on the rocks with a twist”. Hey, why not use it as an excuse? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/5 "2014-03-16T16:09:44Z")
I usually don’t order a beverage other than water. So that’s what I endorsed. I would go to Taco Bell more frequently if they sold Coke products, not gonna lie. Which is strange because I usually don’t order a soda. I’ll order the combo without the drink. But I guess there’s always a part of me that worries I might want a soda, and if I’m gonna waste calories, I’d rather it be on something that I enjoy (Coke or Sprite) rather than something I’ll merely tolerate (like Sierra Mist. I don’t consider Pepi an option). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/6 "2014-03-16T16:10:05Z")
No coke. Pepsi. Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/7 "2014-03-16T16:34:24Z")
_Never mind, I’ll have iced tea, or water, or something else non-partisan._ I considered _a different product from the competitor’s line instead_, but decided that would generally only be a Dr. Pepper, which isn’t really a Pepsi product, so I decided that went under “non-partisan”. I also considered selecting the last choice, but I’d only take their pop choices into account on deciding whether to come back, I wouldn’t actually leave this time. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/8 "2014-03-16T16:47:09Z")
I rarely order soda at a restaurant nowadays, but if I do then Pepsi is a reasonable substitute for Coke. I never order Sprite, 7-Up, Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, etc. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/9 "2014-03-16T16:59:43Z")
I’ll drink Coca-Cola, Pepsi. Used to drink RC cola but they seem to have switched to a more berry or fruit flavor, at least in the Chicagoland area. It’s not bad but it’s not a cola. (Currently drinking Sodastream cola at home but if it wasn’t a gift, I wouldn’t bother. Too much trouble and very little cost savings.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/10 "2014-03-16T17:01:18Z")
Chips ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/11 "2014-03-16T17:01:59Z")
If I order a Pepsi, it’s because I want a cola-flavored fizzy drink. If it turns out that Pepsi isn’t available, I’ll ask for whichever cola-flavored drink is. Same with Sprite/7-Up, Dr. Pepper/Mr. Pibb, A&W/Barg’s, and Tab/Diesel fuel. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/12 "2014-03-16T17:03:42Z")
To paraphrase Prof. Peter Schickele, I drink whatever’s available. Exclusively. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/13 "2014-03-16T17:10:21Z")
I know which very few local establishments offer Diet Dr Pepper, and I order that. Elsewhere, I order Diet Coke and take what I get. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/14 "2014-03-16T17:29:51Z")
Diet Dr Pepper or Diet Coke. Diet Pepsi is drinkable with lots of lemon. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/15 "2014-03-16T17:40:56Z")
Depends on how much I want the caffeine. I much prefer Coke Zero to Diet Coke, and Diet Coke to Diet Pepsi. If I’m out to lunch during the week, I’ll tend to order water, because I have a can of Coke Zero waiting for me back at the office. During the weekend, I’ll order the cola, and be grumpy if it’s a Diet Pepsi. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > No coke. Pepsi. > > Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi Pepsi And to think, I was this ----\>\<---- close to trying Vegemite based on your raves. :smack: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/16 "2014-03-16T17:45:44Z")
I can’t answer this poll because I pretty much loathe all soft drinks (because, taste, not any sort of worthy reason) and my default beverage order is either water, or coffee. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/17 "2014-03-16T17:49:55Z")
My preference is Diet Coke. I’ll drink Diet Pepsi if that’s what they have. If no diet choices, iced tea. There are a couple of restaurants we go to less because they have Pepsi. Lookin’ at you, Zankou Chicken. It’s not just Pepsi but bad Pepsi. ---
**Author:** ![minionkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@minionkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minionkat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/18 "2014-03-16T17:57:42Z")
If I am ordering a soda, it’s generally ginger ale. If they have it, I am not picky about the brand. What always boggles me is when they don’t have it and offer me a Sprite or 7Up instead. Not the same thing. I do enjoy Dr Pepper and root beer, so I sometimes get one of those. Mostly, I drink water. I like water. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/19 "2014-03-16T18:21:53Z")
I don’t actually drink cola of any variety very often… but when answering the gist of the question, it’s all the same to me, really. I can tell the difference between 7-Up, Sierra Mist and Sprite or between Mug, A&W and Barq’s but it really makes no difference which one I actually wind up drinking. When I’m shopping at the grocery store, I usually get the generic brands and I recently bought a SodaStream machine. I grew up with a friend who was the opposite. He drank Coke. Period. My father always bought Pepsi, so my friend would either drink water or bring his own Coke with him. I could never understand being so picky about the brand. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838/20 "2014-03-16T18:49:18Z")
I don’t order sodas often in restaurants. If it is a sit down restaurant, I’m likely to want a beer. I rarely eat in at Chipotle or similar places. However, when I do, I really could care less if it is Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. I grew up in a Coke family but my college was Pepsi only on campus. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-get-your-cola-of-choice/683838.md?page=2)