In April Budweiser and Facebook announced that they had teamed up to produce the Budweiser Buddy Cup. When you clink glasses using buddy cups, you instantly become friends on Facebook. I thought it was an April Fools gag. Perhaps I’m getting old or paranoid, but …really? Does anyone think this is a good idea?
Aside from the obvious, you’re drinking so you’re probably not at you’re most discerning…did anyone read the rules about not making friends on Facebook with people you don’t know? Then of course there’s going to the washroom. This is an opportunity for at least a couple of strange things to happen, like you’re friends who are as discerning as anyone after a few drinks decide to make friends for you. Or what about that weird guy at the corner table, you know the guy, you’ve been trying to avoid him all night. He decides to clink your glass when you’re not looking and voila, you have a new creepy friend.
I like a marketing gimmick as much as anyone does and really, what’s the worst that can happen right? Hmmm…cue dream sequence…
It’s the morning after the night before. You’re 21 and waking up to the world’s worst headache. You hurt, but boy you had fun last night. You’re half way through breakfast and reminiscing about the night before when you realize you don’t see your Budweiser buddy glass anywhere. You remember laughing and clinking and drinking and clinking and dancing and clinking, and so on, and so on, but where’s the cup?
No biggee right? What’s the worst that can happen? Later that day you’re online and decide to pop onto your Facebook account to see how your friends survived their night at the festival. You’re first indication that something isn’t quite right are all the posts from people you don’t know. Ah yes, the buddy glass. No big deal, their probably great folks and you already know you have some similar interests because you were all at the same festival, right? Then the tagged photos from your night before start popping up.
Who is that guy you’re singing with? What exactly is that couple doing in that photo? Why are you laughing and pointing at them? Is that your friend? What on earth is she doing with that sausage? You’re both fascinated and horrified by the images. Did your mom see these? Did your boss?You’re so preoccupied with them that it takes you a full ten minutes before you realize you have 367 new friends.
No matter how you slice it, Facebook and alcohol are a dumb blend. Don’t drink and friend.