When working as a professional bartender, it is common to serve clients day and night who have ingested more alcohol than they should. However, it is difficult to communicate with these people, especially if you have never done bar night quiz or this job before. Refusing to serve drinks is intimidating if the person in question acts scandalously or aggressively.
This situation raises a question: How to deal with people who are drunk? Don’t worry, in this article we will help you to deal with this awkward event.
Importance of facing this situation:
First of all, people who have drunk too much are a danger to themselves, to the people around them and to you. Second, someone who has drunk too much could ruin the atmosphere of the bar and annoy other customers. If, as a professional bartender, you cannot handle the situation correctly, customers may feel uncomfortable and leave the place.
When to stop serving:
Obviously, distinguishing the appropriate time to stop serving someone is always a matter of judgment. Some people are very skilled when it comes to concealing the effects of alcohol. It is recommended that you focus on the whole situation. There are also a series of signs that are very noticeable:
Physical signals:
- Red and glassy eyes
- Lost look
Signs in behavior:
- Bad articulation of words
- Incoherent Phrases
- Undulating, wobbly and stumbling scroll
- Excessively scandalous or lively behavior
- Inappropriate behavior
How to stop serving:
You can avoid confusion and conflicts if you address the person in the right way. Knowing how to deal with people is a fundamental skill in this profession. What you should not do is see them as if they were the enemy, that causes aggressive or violent reactions. This is important because, if you do not show interest in the customer, this will be noticed at the time you deal with it.
Although it seems weird, the key to doing it correctly starts with your perspective. You should keep in mind that you are doing it to help him or that you are on his side. What is best is to put cold cloths to the situation. Instead of directly denying drinks, choose to offer a glass of water, coffee or some food. Show him that you care that he enjoys that moment.
Similarly, avoid embarrassing him, especially if he meets friends. Try to take him aside and tell him privately that you can no longer serve him. Generally, confrontations originate when one of the parties feels they have to defend themselves. Finally, you have to act with confidence and firmness. Once you have made the decision, you must keep it.
Types of approaches:
You can choose between two types of approaches: direct and indirect. First try the indirect approaches and, if they don’t work, you should use a direct perspective.
Indirect Approaches:
- Get the help of your friends:
This strategy works very well if the person in question has sober friends who convince him. Inform your friends about the situation and that you can no longer serve him. Then, your friends can give you the news in a lighter way.
- Serve one more round and let them know it’s the last:
This makes the customer keep their drink for a long time and implies that you will not have to stop serving without prior notice. In addition, this reduces the possibility of a confrontation significantly.
Direct Approaches:
- Divert responsibility:
The client is likely to blame you for not serving him anymore. In this case, try to divert the guilt towards the fact that they are the rules of the place. Make it clear that it is not your decision and that it goes beyond your ability as a professional bartender . This greatly reduces the likelihood of conflict.
- Be the good one:
Make the client understand that you do not like the idea of having to stop serving him, but that you must do it or you will lose your job. If you do your part, it is unlikely that the client will react in an irascible manner.
- Call security:
If all attempts to avoid a conflict failed, you can call security as a last resort. It is always better to let these handle situations if they are conflicting or violent clients.
When working as a professional bartender you will find some challenges when communicating with some clients. However, if you follow these tips, you can handle these situations perfectly. Try some random trivia questions with answers
