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Monday, April 21, 2008
“Black people drink Pepsi, white people drink Diet Coke”
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
This past weekend, my wife prepared for a celebration at our home, which we expected might be multi-racial. I was not thinking along those lines, however, as my wife and I went through the grocery store, picking up supplies. As we got to the aisle with soda and chips, she asked me to grab a 2-liter of Pepsi, and a 2-liter of Diet Coke. I was surprised by her cross-branding selection, and asked why she picked diet in one brand, and regular in another.
"Black people drink Pepsi, white people drink Diet Coke,” she replied.
I had never really thought about such a thing, and I tried to call up any memories I had of pop-drinking habits by race. I recalled that David Pepper has a refrigerator filled with Diet Coke, and he is white, but I didn’t have any strong recollection of Pepsi-drinking black people. But I generally don’t argue with my wife when she tells me about things black people do.
It is also from my wife that I first heard how black people like barbecue Grippos. And since first hearing that, I have noticed firsthand that I am much more likely to see barbecue Grippos being eaten when around black people. But since Grippos are produced here in Cincinnati, I have often wondered if this is just a Cincinnati black thing, or if our locally produced chips have broad appeal across the nation among African American chip eaters.
According to urbandictionary.com, ”grippo” is a slang term for “very good potato chip.”
And it was Mayor Mallory who told me that white people don’t really like those prescription glasses that automatically turn to sunglasses. He said he learned that lesson on the campaign trail, as he realized he got better reception from whites who could see his eyes when talking with him while outside.
Anyway, once I got to thinking about soda and race, I couldn’t help but think that the relatively new Jazz Diet Pepsi may be marked by an undertone of cultural blackness. Some may criticize such a comment, but it is rather like if Ale-8-One entered the diet market with a bluegrass marketing campaign, and I said it appeared to have an undertone of Appalachian culture.
Naturally, making comments about Ale-8-One could cause some to say I am prejudiced against Applachians. But how can that be true? One of my best friends in Appalachian.
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22 Apr 2008 at 10:17 am | #
.
Thanks for considering us one of your friends. The humor was great.
Not only are we Appalachian, but, Native American as well. Additionally, since Pepsi and BQ Grippos are the favored, we can’t be racist either.
Next time everyone is by the Dalton Street Post Office, stop by and see Diane at the vendor cart. Order a hot-met combo with cooked onions, mustard, Pepsi and BQ Grippos.
Talk about firing up the soul !
.
23 Apr 2008 at 08:48 pm | #
What kind of dog did you serve? Do Cincinnati Blacks prefer Dobermans and Whites Bichons? Tell us- please tell us. This is another insane food post Jason.
24 Apr 2008 at 03:07 am | #
Pepsi was one of the first companies to specifically target black customers and use them as positive figures in advertising.
25 Apr 2008 at 02:24 am | #
So who got the 40 oz malt liquor?
25 Apr 2008 at 10:47 am | #
black people stereotype people
26 Apr 2008 at 02:43 am | #
lipshitz says:
25 Apr 2008 at 02:24 am | #
So who got the 40 oz malt liquor?
Yo’ MAMA....
27 Apr 2008 at 08:37 am | #
I’ve been testing your theory. My control group, a fairly large work crew, comprised of a mix of race, gender and generation have been, for more than a week, engaged in and around my place of work. I’ve had interaction fairly regularly with the group. Admittedly, these are people that do hard, physical labor. However, I don’t think soda preferences change on that basis: work or leisure time. Also in this control group are the “suits” or managers that just watch.
At first, I just observed and after tiring of poking through the can recycling bin, I started asking, “What’s your soft drink of choice?” (The company vending machines were being used). Mountain Dew came in second place to water. I know water isn’t a soft drink but I think worth mentioning. Pepsi and coke next with neither substantially preferred over the other, then assorted flavored drinks (orange, grape, root beer). One only diet soda drinker in the group and that was a young, white female who chose Pepsi One. When questioned, she said she selected that because it was closest to her preferred drink which wasn’t among the limited offerings in the vending machines.
What conclusions can be drawn from this sampling? Like all generalizations about people. None. No racial, gender or generational conclusions or implications are evident. No more than my observation that lemonade and iced tea go fastest at my family reunions. I can’t conclude from that that white people (mostly) don’t drink soda. What conclusions can be drawn from your wife’s observations? None. Only that she has a belief that those family members visiting on that day, prefer Pepsi. Nothing more. That’s it.
I do give you props though for thinking every word your wife utters is the gospel.
28 Apr 2008 at 11:03 am | #
instead23 says:
25 Apr 2008 at 10:47 am | #
black people stereotype people
I would never stereotype anyone.
/can’t keep a straight face saying that
/waits for CincySuz to jump on me like...white on rice
LOL ; )
28 Apr 2008 at 03:32 pm | #
You give as good as you get TDG. I guess in ThatDeborahgirlland you bringing up MY name is actually akin to ME jumping on you (...like white on rice).
29 Apr 2008 at 08:03 am | #
Your wife is right. Do another test of “Flaming Hots” consumers and see what you get.
29 Apr 2008 at 03:56 pm | #
~
I have a black friend and she doesn’t stereotype ?
~
29 Apr 2008 at 05:30 pm | #
What’s the word? Thunderbird. What’s the price? 40 twice. Comments?
09 May 2008 at 07:06 pm | #
I went to my hair salon the other day. It is a predominately (all?) white establishment in Mt. Lookout. When I sat down my stylist asked me if I wanted a Diet Coke.
I don’t really know what this means. Maybe I looked like I could lose a few pounds.
If I had to venture a guess however, I’d side with Bearman’s comment--and follow it up with the idea of brand loyalty.
A good example would be the Apple’s (more) recent and increasing monopoly in the electronics market. Once you have locked a target market, they yours forever and for always--even if they don’t really know why anymore.