Post based on the following article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120831104157.htm
Researchers at the University of Bristol think they have found a way to help people pace themselves while out drinking alcoholic beverages. They have found within their research that the type of glass used to consume the alcohol changes the pace a person drinks it. They used 160 social drinkers to do the research. They also chose two types of drinking glasses and two different types of beverages, one alcoholic, one non- alcoholic. The two glasses used were a regular straight glass and a curved beer flute glass. Study showed that participants were “twice as slow when drinking alcohol from the straight-sided glass compared to the curved glass.” There was no difference in drinking pace in participants that were given the non-alcoholic beverage. Researchers believe it is because the half-way point is harder to estimate in the curved glass.
I agree with the researchers but also believe that the beer flute glass represents the expectations people want from going out and having a couple drinks. These types of glasses are bundled into our sub-conscious just like a cold beer mug is with a bar, a goodtime, cold beer, etc. Whereas the straight glass has other uses such as being used at home or restaurants for soda or water. Beer flutes are usually only used for alcoholic drinks. This might have something to do with the fast pace of drinking in the comparing of the two different glasses.
I found this article very interesting because it raises an awareness to question whether the glass is “half empty” or “half full.” I would think that with a wine glass one can visually perceive the need for a “refill” as compared to a beer bottle.
As a side note, I’ve always heard that people drink faster through a straw that without one. I wonder how accurate the assumption may be….??? Any thoughts?
Amber, interesting article! I would definitely agree with what you said about digging further into the results and looking into things such as emotions and expectations in different glasses. I do understand the logic behind a glass that is not even in shape and thus makes it harder for someone to assess how much they have left. Working in a restaurant as both a server and a bartender, we work off of eye appeal and the more curvy or unique the glass the more likely people are to stop and ask, “What’s in that glass?”