Wow and hmmm

Andrea: They're giving samples of decaffeinated coffee.
Me: Oh goody.
A: You could drink that. Couldn't you?
Me: No. I don't drink coffee.
A: But it's decaf.
Me: I don't drink coffee. Why would I drink decaf?
A: But you could.
Me: It's moot. I don't drink it, and I wouldn't drink it. I stick with water, milk, juice, and an occasional soda.
A: You can drink soda?
Me: Sure.
Judy: Yeah, she can drink soda because they bought the Coca-Cola company and the Pepsi-Cola company.
Me: (Having heard at least half of that one my whole life), That is not true.

A few things come to mind.

1. Soda is not necessarily Coca-Cola or any drink with caffeine. It can be 7-Up, Root Beer, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Orange soda, Squirt, just plain soda with no flavoring, etc. and etc.
2. Why are people like that? "They bought the Coca-Cola company," as if it were a fact or a secret finally revealed, or as if it settled something.
3. I don't like to say that people are stupid. That is not very kind, and I do want to be kind. But really.