All I really need to know I learned while bartending

Everything I really need to know about how to exist in this world, personal or business, I learned while bartending. This knowledge was shared with me by owners, managers, salesmen, servers, other bartenders, and customers.

These tips you cannot spend; they are the tips you keep for life:

·        Give everyone a fair shot.

·        If you haven’t anything nice to say, don’t say it.

·        Use the best premium products and you’ll be the best.

·        Serve.

·        Be the solution to the problem, not part of the problem.

·        Don’t drink and drive; don’t let others.

·        Respect salesmen; you’re one.

·        Don’t take sides. You’ll make two enemies.

·        Be neat.

·        Wear a clean shirt every day.

·        Don’t cheat or steal.

·        Smile!

·        Keep your hands and fingernails clean.

·        Use Mr., Sir, or Ms., when talking to strangers.

·        Don’t be a part of a rumor.

·        Keep your space clean.

·        Don’t waste.

·        Be on time.

·        Help others when they’re busy.

·        Don’t use the easy way. Use the right way.

·        Don’t give up. Follow your dream.

Have an awesome day!

M

Unexpected responses to a simple question like "how are you today?"...

... picture this scene.

A man walks up to the bar. I greet him with something like, "how are you today?". You would expect many responses such as "I'm fine, how are you?", "great, and you?", etc. What this guy responds with is "happy hour!". In the forty some odd years I have been on this Earth I have never heard or been made to believe that saying "happy hour!" was an appropriate response to my greeting. I have to admit I wasn't very pleased with the response I received so I then responded to my own question by saying "I'm fine Matt, how are you today?". He seemed a little confused and then it hit him. He apologized and he admitted he was hungry which made him act like an ass.

This situation brings up a very good point. Just because I choose to work in the service industry it makes me no less human than anyone else. Unfortunately there are people in this world who believe that it is acceptable to mistreat servers and bartenders. Why they believe this I probably will never understand but I do my best to tactfully make them understand that bartenders and servers are people too. But when all else fails dropping into a conversation, with a bar guest next to this ass, something like "you know what the say, don't mess with the people who serve you your food". Maybe this guy will think about that one next time someone asks him "how are you today?".

Consider this a Bar Ettiquet PSA.

M

Welcome to my musings from behind the bar

Greetings friends,

I have so many stories and observations from my side of the bar that I have shared with friends that I decided to throw them out there for all of your enjoyment. These stories and observations, though may have a negative tone at times, will be put out there with the most positive intent as possible. It is my hope that by sharing these stories and observations I can make you the reader understand that your bartender is a friend, confidant, sounding board, shrink, and whatever you believe we are to you. Most of all we are human and have a desire to make people happy. Now let us muse...