Written by Kyra Symone
Edited by Bonnie Dickson

Whether witnessing or taking part in the actual exchange, we have all witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly aftermath of a guy buying a woman a drink at the bar or club. Here are some of the fatal flaws of drink buying that I have seen over the years and ways to avoid the bad and ugly side to this practice, and actually find the good in it! And ladies, don’t think you’re exempt from the bad and ugly, you’re a part of it too! Here’s some simple advice to make sure everyone’s drink buying experience a good one….

…I Bought You A Drink, I Own You…
We’ve all seen it. A guy buys a woman a drink and all of a sudden he has the impression that an eight dollar drink binds the said woman to a full-blown contract for the night. Attention guys, I’m not sure if you are aware, but buying a woman a drink does not mean you own her for the night!  We all know that drinks can be expensive, but buying a drink for a girl doesn’t make her your property and it certainly does not give you the right to put your hands all over her before you even get her name, or after you get her name for that matter! On the other hands ladies, generally speaking, nothing in life is free. If a guy buys you a drink, he expects something in return. Whether it is a few minutes of conversation, company for the evening, or taking you home for the night, well that is for you to decide and to use your best judgment to weed out the creeps!

…♬Let Me Buy You A Drink♬ (and take you to bed)…
This is the ultimate bad and ugly of drink buying. Guys, the premise of offering a drink to a lady should only be to start or continue a conversation and hopefully make so sort of a connection. It shouldn’t be for any of the reasons in the first paragraph and especially not for getting them so wasted that she’s willing to get frisky. You should want to be someone’s first choice, not their first regret in the morning.

…The Drink and Dash…
We are all well aware of the fact that ladies can play an equally negative part in the buying a drink process. When a guy buys you a drink, don’t instantly walk away. Have some manners and class. Letting a stranger buy you a drink and then running away from him is disrespectful and rude. It gives guys the impression that all women are ungrateful users and it justifies un-gentleman-like behavior for men. If a guy does buys you a drink, you should at least give him the opportunity to impress you with a few minutes of conversation. If he doesn’t hold your attention and things start to get dull…gracefully excuse yourself from the conversation. If you are still having trouble parting ways, you can always make a trip to the bathroom or say you need to go find your friends (or boyfriend depending on how bad it is). Ultimately, if you find a guy repulsive or if you know he’s not someone you have any interest in standing next to, let alone talking to, you shouldn’t accept a drink in the first place.

…Dignity > Drinks…
There is no reason for you not to act like a lady when someone buys you a drink. If the guy starts acting like an asshole immediately after buying you a drink, give it back to him and let him know that the free drink wasn’t worth him getting more of your time, then politely walk away. That move probably won’t stop him from thinking you’re a bitch but at least you can walk away with your dignity and without tarnishing the name of your other fellow females. If you’re pretty and a cool enough chick, I’m sure there will be plenty of other guys willing to offer you a beverage.

The bottom line is for both men and women alike to remember your class and remember your manners. Ladies, don’t value yourselves at the cost of a few mixed drinks and gentlemen, don’t go for a woman who chooses to do so. Stay classy San Diego.

Have YOU been the victim of drink buying douchebaggery?! Please, kiss and tell! We’ll even offer up two free drink tickets to be used at one of our upcoming events for the person who leaves their most memorable drink buying experience below.