Fair or not, perception is reality. People we meet every day in business and social settings make snap judgments about us that will likely influence our entire future relationship with them. Volumes have been written on how to make a good first impression, from the proper amount of time to hold eye contact, to the strength and duration of a good handshake, down to the shine on your shoes, all aspects of one’s appearance and demeanor are closely scrutinized and judged.

It is with that thought in mind that you should look at the glass in your other hand. What you drink helps flesh out the snapshot of who you are. For some women, it can be tough to be taken seriously in the old-boys-club situations that are still so common in politics and business.

So, how does one elicit respect through a single glass? First, try avoiding stereotypes; stay attuned to your surroundings and use a little thought in expanding your tastes. Some situations just call for a beer. Unless you’re on the beach, or the mercury level has climbed over 80 degrees do yourself a favor and avoid ‘beachy’ beers. Carrying a Corona or Bud Light Lime in the dead of winter makes you look like you never outgrew Spring Break. To get away from the same old big-named brews and into new territory, treat beer like wine; that is, pick out the elements you like, and look for beers with the same qualities. Malty beers have more bread-like sweetness, while hoppy beers bring more floral, yet bitter notes. Experiment from light to dark, depending on your palate.


You’ll find a style of beer that best suits you. It’s a fun journey, and you might surprise yourself along the way.

If you can help it, get whatever strikes your interest on tap. Most beer drinkers will tell you that their favorite beer just tastes better when it’s on draft. Not to mention that in a business or social setting, drinking from a glass is a far classier option than straight out of a bottle or a can.


When choosing a cocktail, the same rules apply. If you’re not lying on some tropical stretch of sand, stay away from frozen drinks, shooters with X-rated names or shots of anything. Any bartender worth his salt will be happy to answer the following question: “I usually drink X, what would you recommend I try?”

Keep in mind that a well-balanced cocktail is exactly that – balanced. So the best aren’t overtly sweet, sour, bitter or boozy. If you’re somewhere with signature or house cocktails, look over the descriptions, and give the most appealing one a try.


Wine is always a great choice, too. At most functions, you’ll have a choice between red and white, and that’ll be about it. Just remember to hold the glass by the stem, and you’ll be fine. At a restaurant or finer bar you might encounter a mind-boggling selection of wines from all over the planet. This is another opportunity to avail yourself of the opinions of the experts; ask your bartender or the sommelier for suggestions based on the characteristics you know you like, and you’ll expand your palette and your knowledge on the subject.

Not everyone is a drinker, though, and it can become a real nuisance to have to explain yourself over and over again at a reception, dinner or party. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for the discreet teetotaler. A solid drink choice is club soda on ice with a wedge of lime – it looks just like a gin and tonic. A ginger ale or Coca Cola in a rocks glass with lime looks like a high ball, and a lemonade served up in a cocktail glass with a cherry in it looks suspiciously like a Corpse Reviver #2.

Once you’ve found what you like, it’s a good idea to have two or three ‘go-to’ drinks, so that no matter what situation you find yourself in, you’ll be able to order with confidence and enjoy yourself. By paying attention to what’s appropriate for a given occasion, ordering with confidence and being open to suggestions while expanding your tastes, the first impressions you make will always be worth raising a glass to.

Below are a few great spots around the DC area that will help you to expand your drinking palate.


Rustico
827 Slaters Lane | Alexandria, VA
703.224.5051
&
4075 Wilson Blvd |Arlington, VA
571.384.1820
rusticorestaurant.com
Rustico’s selections of over 300 beers from around the world (and over 30 of them on tap) are organized by flavor profile – giving you the perfect roadmap to start branching out.


ChurchKey
1337 14th Street, NW | Washington, DC
202.567.2576
churchkeydc.com
At Logan Circle’s ChurchKey (and its companion restaurant, Birch & Barley), beer sommeliers will be happy to walk you through their menu, and pair a brew with dinner.


The Wine Kitchen
7 S. King Street | Leesburg, VA
703.777.9463
thewinekitchen.com
Leesburg’s Wine Kitchen offers a wide selection of wine flights, giving you the ability to taste multiple wines at once that share something in common.


4401 Wilson Blvd | Arlington, VA
703.243.7900
grandcru-wine.com
Grand Cru is a favorite of local winemakers, and they carry a decent selection of Virginia wines by the bottle. Since it’s also a wine store, you can buy bottles at retail prices, and avoid the normal restaurant markup.


The Gibson
2009 14th Street, NW | Washington, DC
202.232.2156
thegibsondc.com
One of the top cocktail bars in DC, it’s not easy to get in. Make a reservation in advance for a two hour block, and bring your reading glasses – it’s cozily candlelit.

Todd Thrasher’s speakeasy is legendary. It’s unfortunately gotten more popular (and harder to get in) since GQ named it as one of the best bars in America. Ask to sit at the bar, and learn from one of a master.

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JOE MAIELLANO is the president of Maiellano Political Consulting LLC, an Arlington, VA based fundraising firm. He lives in Arlington with his wife, Sarah. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .