When I was first starting out, someone gave me the best advise when it comes to danger in the bar. Particularly if someone wants to rob the place at gun point.
Here is what I learned:
1. Keep your customers calm. Panic can mean a whole mess of trouble, its important that they see you calm, so they will be calm.
2. Don't be a hero. Being a hero can sometimes get you or someone injured or worse, so its best to stand down.
3. Give the person what they want. If all they came in for is money, just give it to them. Ask them if they want it in a bag. Your bar is insured, and will get that money back. Plus if they got what they want, the threat is over, everyone is safe.
4. Now, call the police. Tell them everything you remember about what the person looked like, what they took, and if you remember what direction they went.
Those are the best ways I know to deal with that kind of a situation. I keep that in mind, because it is probably the safest way to deal with a robbery at gun point.
]]>To which she replied, “I’ve been waiting for 10 minutes.”
I told her, “You couldn’t see the line over there?” At this point I was never going to win the argument. I gave her a beer, and went about my business. A few years later I was working a different bar that she frequented and she admitted to me that she was purposely there to cause trouble, because she didn’t like the owners of that bar. So it wouldn’t have mattered if I 86’ed her, because she didn’t want to come back anyway.
However I have heard of other bartenders getting stuff thrown at them, and people getting 86’ed immediately. Funny thing, if I would have done that at the bar I previously at, she would have told the manager, and I would have been written up for it. I hated working for a manager that didn’t have my back.
So bartenders, if you have a problem of people trying to get your attention in a rude way, throwing something back is a bad idea but a fun one, 86ing them for a short period of time is cool, but remember, when you go to any store and they have a customer that is not in line demanding service, they will either be ignored or told to go to the end of the line. Bartenders can do that too. Don’t let your customers treat you like shit, unless you plan on putting Visine in their drink. Just kidding, don’t do that!!!
]]>Majority of the service industry does not make more than minimum wage, no matter how long they have worked there. It’s been proven many times over that minimum wage doesn’t cut it for today’s cost of living. So in today’s world tips have to make up the difference, although tips aren’t always the path to riches.
Now here is the scary part of our story. If a restaurant worker should get sick, or injured, their money stops because they aren’t working, and medical bills... Depending on the illness or injury a person might have to take extended periods of time off. Or working when they aren’t at even 60%.
Bottom line people, take care of yourselves, and keep an eye on your money. For some teams in a person who has never worked in the service industry will never understand why tipping has become an important part of a person, or families income. They still think that they are just paying extra for a food or drink. Not paying attention to minimum wage equaling, working odd hours, time on their feet, knowledge, customer service... The list goes on.
]]>I started thinking about people in my bar and how many people would come in and not drink alcohol. Turns out that there weren’t many. Usually the people that would drink would save their money to play video poker, or not drink to be their best at karaoke that night. Well until I told one guy that whiskey can clear up your vocal chords. It didn’t matter if I was right or not, three shots in he thought he was George Straight. But none the less. I might put more thought into this. What were my customers like who didn’t drink.
]]>A long time ago I set up a cork board, and started putting pictures on it of things I wanted. I put a picture of a cool car, a modest house, a cruise vacation, the job I wanted, a fake check for $70,000 a year, and some other photos of things to inspire me. Pictures of Captain Picard saying “Make it so!” And pretty girls, for encouragement reasons I swear.
One night I sat back and thought about my life, then I realized, I had the job I wanted, I had a cool car, a house, took a cruise, and I made over $70,000 the year before. I didn’t get the pretty girls, but still not a bad win loss ratio.
Im just saying, your mind can be filled with a lot of shit, and you’re shuffling everything around constantly. So your goals and dreams may get lost in the shuffle from time to time. So print out some pictures and put them in a place where you are sure you will see it. Believe it of not, everything will start coming together before you know it.
This is your bartender speaking! I only lie if there is money involved.
]]>I sat at the bar and this girl walks past me with earbuds in. I thought she was a cashier, dish washer or something. Then she picks up her phone, presses a few buttons and says, “Need a menu?” I thought, what kind of server/bartender is allowed to listen to her earbuds during her shift? No exchange with her customers, no personality... she even took a phone call while I was trying to get her attention for some ketchup!
Since I couldn’t get good customer service based on my good looks, I still cashed out, tipped her, and left her a Hey Bartender Podcast business card and Poker chip. Maybe she will listen during her shift.🤞
]]>Sometimes I hear things like people say things about servers like, they didn't finish school, or they didn't apply themselves, or they had a baby to early (that can be applied to men and women.)
Or bartenders! Some people treat them like the lowest form of life form, because they think they are thieves, or sexually promiscuous.
You know what people, I looked at a list of people that spent time in the service industry. Who kind of made a name for themselves:
Ellen DeGeneres
Bruce Willis
Chris Rock
Jennifer Aniston
The list is huge, but you get the idea. Bartenders and servers can become whatever they put their mind too. All you need is a vision and picture it in your head every day, and you will find what you are looking for.
Being a bartender was a great time in my life. I wouldn't change it for anything, because I made good friends, met interesting people, and learned more about myself than I thought. Like how what I thought was sarcasm and jokes, made me come off like an asshole. I'm still and asshole, I'm just very aware of it right now.
Never think you're stuck in your job. Only you are holding yourself back.
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Think of it this way, a girl goes to the bar one night, and talks to a guy that she felt reasonably comfortable with at the time. But then he leaves a note on her door saying he had a good time with her. But she doesn't remember giving him her address... That isn't a romantic gesture, its creepy.
Or a someone walks out to their car, and sees someone standing next to their car waiting for them. Should pepper spray be involved?
Its all a very touchy thing now a days for people to get other peoples attention, in hopes for possible relationships. The three day rule, or the three date rule. And why is being yourself encouraged, but often avoided.
Sure I have seen the friend zone happen with a lot of people, but it often ends with one of them expressing their feelings, and the other being very uncomfortable around them from then on. Not the When Harry Met Sally thing where he says he loves all of the annoying things she does, and they kiss on New Years Eve.
If someone is playing "In your eyes," outside your bedroom window, do you go to them? Call the Cops? Or Yell out the window, "Peter Gabriel is a PUSSY!"
Comment with your thoughts below.
]]>Listen to the Podcast to find out how to win 1 of 3 Official Hey Bartender Podcast T-Shirts.
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