From time to
time, I’m offered a cocktail by a customer, which I politely say no to, but it
raises a question in my mind. Is it
appropriate to drink on the job as a bartender? In my mind, the answer is no, but there are
other opinions out there as well. I
know that there are a lot of bartenders that do drink on the job, and it that
works for them, so be it. For me, I feel
that I am paid to perform a service to my clientele. If I have been drinking all day long, by the time
my afternoon rush hits my cocktails are going to be lacking something, instead
of being something to be enjoyed by the customers.
There are other
considerations as well to this question.
First of all drinking on the job during the day puts me on my scooter at
the end of the day in a situation that can be very unsafe and could be a fatal
mistake. It could also land me in trouble with the law, especially
here in Key West. Secondly, part of my
job as a bartender is to keep an eye on my customers and make sure they haven’t
had too much and get themselves into trouble.
That would be a tough job if I was as drunk as they are.
I find that the
job is a fun one, dealing with such a diverse group of people, and find myself
enjoying the “party” without drinking.
It is such a joy to walk up and down the bar keeping cocktail glasses filled
with the fun libations that are being enjoyed.
I get the chance to chat with people from all over the world and
generally have a really fun time. In
such a situation I don’t need to be drinking to have fun with my people.
There is one
other situation you do not want to be out of control in and that is a medical
emergency. I have had people that heat
and alcohol didn’t mix well with and have to make the right decisions for. These situations require and alert person who
has all of their faculties functioning the right way.
Many states
including Florida have laws about drinking behind the bar, but most of these
are no enforced on a regular basis. As
for me I’ll be your sober bartender and save my rum time for after I return to
the boat where I can sit back and enjoy my time without having to be
responsible for others safety. ;o)
