How do people cope with alcohol?

Gerard quickly drew the glass back and it took him a while to finally speak.

"It is alcoholic."

I noticed that he didn't want me to drink if it wasn't something I wasn't used to and I could see that he was just looking out for me.

"How strong?" I asked and he checked the label on the back.

"Very strong." he wanted to take the drink away and dispose of the content but I grabbed it from his hand and gulped the whole content down.

He looked at me astonished and wondered if I was into alcohol more than he had expected and after the sour taste reduced from my tongue, I looked at his surprised face.

"There is a first time for everything. Besides, how do people cope with alcohol? It's so sour." I made a disgusted face but he chuckled at me.

"Well I didn't know you would gulp down the whole content." he shrugged and drank his also.

"Ah..." he shook his head reacting to the bitter taste and I couldn't help but laugh seeing him have almost the same reaction as me.