Two-hundred-and-twelve college students read a vignette about a 21-year-old male described as a college student or a retail management trainee drinking at a bar alone or with friends. Participants provided estimates of the number of drinks that indicate heavy drinking in this situation. Participants also provided estimates of the number of drinks and drinking occasions they thought would signify a drinking problem for the target. Estimates of the number of drinks representing heavy drinking were significantly higher than the current five drink binge/episodic heavy drinking definition in the literature. Occupational status of the target and participant gender effected perceptions of heavy drinking and problem drinking. Implications for prevention and health education efforts are discussed.