> Yeah, but I don't generally sit down and drink 3 cokes in one sitting

Do you generally sit down and drink 3 beers in one sitting?

> It would be very rare for a customer to drink 3 cokes with dinner but not uncommon for someone to order 3 beers.

At home, I drink much as I'm thirsty for, be it soda, beer, wine, tea, water... I certainly don't drink more just because it's alcoholic. I might drink less, or switch to something else, if I'm starting to feel drunk and it's not an occasion for such.

At a restaurant, I order less when alcohol is involved. I prefer to have my senses about me if I'll be driving home...

Where I drink 5 or 6 with lunch. Not coke - sweet tea.

When I am out in larger groups, the number of drinks varies little with what was ordered, be it beer, alcohol-free beer or other beverages. This is one medium to large sized glass of beverage for a lunch and several in the evening. Coke might be an exception, but it is very rare, that someone orders coke in a restaurant. Usually you have fruit juices of many variations, often as a "Schorle", that is fruit juice mixed with sparkling water. Or just water. And the prices differ only little between a glass of beer and of juice.

Perhaps I should clarify: my statement applies for Germany and probably holds true for large parts of Europe.