Can I buy you a beer?!? :#

Question

Mayhaps this is my over-casual side coming out or my love of a good (craft) beer, but why don't I ever see anyone ask another out for a real estate investing discussion over a beer?  Is it the professionalism?  Is coffee more professional than beer? Is it the fear of getting schwillied or watching someone get schwillied? Maybe it's because coffee (can be) cheaper than (good) beer.  I can't believe it's because more people like coffee than beer. While I know more people who don't like beer than those that don't like coffee, it's not by a large margin.

The Columbus Ale Trail this year (2016) has over 25 different LOCAL breweries all in the greater Columbus area and most of them have an amazing line up in their tap rooms.  There are few things I like better than hopping into one of them and trying something new.  Heck, I like it so much I started brewing my own.  In the culture I've seen here in cbus, it seems a relatively appropriate thing to ask someone with regards to a meeting.

So why do you think beer (and I do emphasize beer not 'drinks') is taboo?  Better yet, if you have chosen not to, why don't YOU ask others out to talk about rehabs or rentals over a beer? (and the answer of 'i don't like beer' is inadmissible, this question assumes you like some kind of beer if you answer).

And while I realize the simple question may in fact portray me as 'less professional'... or worse, I'm willing to ask because I really want to hear.

Thanks!

Dan Walter · Answer

Hey Stephen are you trying to fish out all the Wisconies? We love beer and meeting up for a beer is absolutely acceptable around here!

@ Daniel, You don't know schwillied? I guess I do not know exactly what it means but when your schwillied it doesn't matter lol!

Stephen Schoon · Answer

Daniel Hanson, yeah, I can see that.  My day job basically means the only time I have avail is in the evening, which of course presents itself well for a beer.

Tristam Griffith · Answer

I don't know what you are talking about @Stephen Schoon. I live 20 minutes from you, and I meet clients over drinks all the time.

As long are you are just talking shop and not looking for signatures on contracts, this is a perfectly acceptable practice. :-)

Corina Eufinger · Answer

@Stephen Schoon. I haven't had any business associates come back saying they wish they hadn't done the deal over drinks necessarily.  These transactions may not have turned as rosy for the colleague for other reasons. What helps me is I have my strategy and plan with prices and rates, etc laid out ahead of time.  As long I remind myself to stick to the list I turn our ok even after a glass of wine.

As a rule of ethics, If the colleague is drunk before we finish negotiations I stop the deal. There's loosened, buzzed, and piss drunk. I never do business with a piss drunk person. There was one guy I had to call his gf to come pick him up and we never did to a deal come to think of it.

Stephen Schoon · Answer

@Amanda Roderick we just might have to do that sometime :)

@Corina Eufinger your side tip is very interesting. Unfortunately my days are filled with oil and wrenches now.   Also an interesting thing about the caffeine, while it does little for me, I've seen some people bounce off the wall after a couple cups.  Out of curiosity, do you have any buyers/sellers remorse due to maybe more loose inhibitions? or do all your transactions over alcohol turn out ok... at least as far as the alcohol is concerned?

Stephen Schoon · Answer

Daniel Hanson, Absolutely! ... of course now there's distance issue to work out ;)

Corina Eufinger · Answer

I always do my business over an alcohol drink. I buy them a wine, beer, scotch, whatever they want. When I am about half way through the drink I begin to talk business (usually my business target per say is on their second since I drink slower). They have loosened up a little and are still coherent enough to make a deal. I never do a deal over coffee. Caffeine can make the brain overwork and it usually starts over analyzing then.

Side tip, best gin joints to find people to do deals with are in or near airports during the week. Early on i would scour these in the afternoon and evening. Met a few business associates that way.

Kyle Ransom · Answer

If two people like beer it's cool to meet. A great way to get to know someone.

Amanda Roderick · Answer

Nate (husband) & I have met with fellow BP'ers over beers... We live near Groveport & you can buy us a beer anytime! (Ha). We're IPA drinkers. (Again, ha.)

We have also met up w/ people for coffee. I agree w/ others, depends on the time of day... since we both work full time it tends to be happy hour-time when we can meet up. : )

Stephen Schoon · Answer

Thanks for the replies guys and gals! I appreciate it.  My wife said she would prefer lunch due to it universality of acceptance. She's not huge coffee fan and I know she's a lightweight too. Hehehe cheap date lol