"Capsaicin is a nonpolar molecule, and is therefore hydrophobic. Consequently, drinking water to reduce the burning caused by the molecule is ineffective, as the nonpolar capsaicin is unable to dissolve in the polar water molecules, and is instead spread across the surface of the mouth. This works by the same principle that causes oil and water to separate.

Instead, consuming foods high in fats and oils, such as milk or bread and butter, will help alleviate the burning. The lipophilic capsaicin is able to mix freely with the fats in the food and is removed from the surface of the mouth. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages also dissolve capsaicin due to the solvent characteristics of ethanol. Of course, over time the capsaicin will dissipate on its own."

- from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin

so then, apparently, if your eating chips and hot salsa, and the salsa (or capsaicin) gets to you- and assuming you dont just happen to have a glass of milk, or, say, bread with butter - all you need to do is take a good long swig of that deliciously chilled beer - thats handily located in your left palm - and wash your troubles away! that proves it!

BEER IS GOOD WITH CHIPS AND SALSA. PERIOD!