The humble act of holding a drink can reveal a great deal about one’s personality, according to a new study.
The way to hold your drink can reveal your personality (Getty Images)
After observing 500 drinkers in bars, Dr. Glenn Wilson, a consultant psychologist at King’s College, London, categorised all revellers into one of eight different personality types, which could be found out by their drinking style.
He analysed the drinkers’ body language, and then advised on their openness to being approached.
"The simple act of holding a drink displays a lot more about us than we realise - or might want to divulge," the Telegraph quoted Wilson as saying.
"The next time you’re in a bar, it might be worth thinking about what you’re saying to the people around you just by the way you’re holding your glass," he added.
The eight types identified by Wilson are:
1. The Flirt Usually a woman, who holds her glass with dainty, splayed fingers and uses it in a provocative way. She may position it over her cleavage so as to draw attention to her attributes or peer over the rim to make eye contact when taking a sip. She may "tease" the rim of the glass with her finger, perhaps dipping it into the drink and sucking it dry. Assuming her agenda is appealing, the best way to approach is with reciprocal flirtatious gestures.
2. The Gossip This (mainly female) drinker tends to cluster in all-female groups talking about other people, and can be critical. She holds a wine glass by the bowl and uses it to gesticulate and make points in conversation. She is inclined to lean over her drink, in towards others so as to speak confidentially. This person already has a close-knit social group with little inclination to extend it, so advances from outsiders are not usually welcome.
Celebrities: Kate Moss, Sadie Frost.
3. The Fun-lover This type of drinker may be a man or a woman, who drinks to be sociable and values togetherness. A convivial individual, he or she enjoys being with their friends, and likes a laugh. Swigs taken from bottled drinks are short, so they don’t miss out on chipping in with the conversation. The bottle is held loosely at its shoulder for ease. This type of person is always happy to extend their social circle. The best way to approach them therefore is to leap directly into light, good-humoured conversation and make them laugh.
4. The Wallflower This is a shy, submissive individual who holds the glass protectively, not letting go, as though afraid somebody will take it away. Palms are kept hidden and the glass is used as a social crutch - the drink is never quite finished, with a mouthful left in case of emergency. The drink is small. It may be drunk through a straw, which is fidgeted with, and used to stir the drink between sips. This individual needs to be approached in a gentle, sensitive way, with perhaps a few understated compliments to build self-confidence, but may eventually warm to overtures.
5. The Ice-queen This is a mainly female type whose natural style is cold and defensive. She drinks from a wine glass, or a short glass, which is held firmly in a barrier position across the body so as to deter intimate approaches. It is usually a waste of time approaching this woman-she may be ready with a castrating put-down.
6. The Playboy This man is the active, self-confident, Don Juan-type seducer. He uses his (usually long) glass or bottle as a phallic prop, playing with it suggestively. He is inclined to be possessive, and can be tactile with his female companions.
7. The Jack the Lad Such a man is conscious of his image and will drink a bottled beer, or cider. Inclined to be confident and arrogant, he can be territorial in his gestures, spreading himself over as much space as possible, for example, pushing the glass well away from himself and leaning back in his chair. If he’s drinking with his mates, he would be unlikely to welcome approaches from outside the group, unless sycophantic and ego enhancing.
8. The Browbeater This rather pugnacious type is again mostly male. He prefers large glasses, or bottles, which he uses as symbolic weapons, firmly grasped, and gesticulating in a threatening, "in the face" kind of way. Something of a know-it-all, he comes across as slightly hostile, even if only through verbal argument, or jokes targeted at others. He should be approached with great care, or not at all.
Can you ever imagine a world without its fragrance? Even if you close your eyes, the fragrance will bring in a hint of smile on you at its possible
Smell good to feel good (Getty Images)
familiarity.
It is not just the flowers or meadows that we are talking about. Even in the market, often by getting the right smell, you know the freshness of the product. Fragrance soothes us, calms us, enriches our memory, assures us of the closed ones and most importantly makes us happy.
Little surprising that in a world with increasing stress and global warming, fragrances are no longer a luxury or a mere need to keep that bad odour at bay. It makes us live and sing.
Mumbai-based p sychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria maintains how smelling good is now synonymous with feeling good and affects even kids who insist on wearing a deo while going to school. “It is not so much to impress others as to personally get a high. Yes, fragrances are great mood enhancers,” says Dr Chhabria.
"Researchers have found that certain fragrances can have a direct impact on emotions and behaviors, ranging from fragrances that increase romantic desire to fragrances that make people feel safe and secure. Certain fragrances can even make small spaces seem larger and help increase learning speed," informs Kiran Ranga, MD, Ripple Fragrances from Mysore based NR Group.
Heard of Dr. Alan Hirsch, M.D., Smell and Taste Research and Treatment Foundation in Chicago where he conducts in-depth studies of the olfactive sense and its relation to all aspects of life including behavior, emotions, mood and / or interactions with individuals?
Well, the following are the results of a study conducted by Dr. Hirsch and the Foundation. When you know the right benefits of each fragrance, it can only enhance that high you get from a fragrance. Depending on its benefits, keep it at home or office.
Fragrance: Holiday sparkle Impact on Mood- Keeps you awake and alert Suggested Use- Light these candles at parties to energize your guests
Fragrance: Apple Orchard Impact on Mood- makes space seem larger Suggested Use- Place in small rooms to make visitors feel at home
Fragrance: Cotton Impact on Mood- Makes you feel safe and secure Suggested Use- Place in guest rooms to make visitors feel at home
Fragrance: Rainwater Impact on Mood- Makes you learn faster Suggested Use- Place in a home/office to get work done quicker.
Fragrance: Cucumber Melon Impact on Mood- Relieves anxiety/increases sensuality in women Suggested Use- Place in the bedroom to induce feelings of relaxation and sensuality in women
Fragrance: Harbor Mist Impact on Mood – Increases the speed of learning Suggested Use – Place at your workstation to solve problems faster
Fragrance: Lavender Impact on Mood- Relaxes your mind and body Suggested use- Place in the bathroom when taking a bath to ease stress and relax tense muscles.
Fragrance: Green Mango Impact on Mood- a unique scent for creating memories Suggested use- Place in the living room at every party to remind the guests of fun times
Five innovative ways to fragrant your life -
1) Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
2) To enjoy a scented candle, place a drop or two of oil into the hot melted wax as the candle burns.
3) A few drops of your favorite oil or blend in the rinse water of your hand washables makes for pleasant results.
4)Infuse bookmarks and stationary with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma.
5) Neck pillows, padded and decorative hangers make more memorable gifts simply by putting a couple of drops of essential oil on them before giving.
