What does Bartending mean to you? (Part VII)

What does Bartending mean to you? (Part V)

8 Myths About Bartenders

There are a lot of myths and stereotypes about bartenders flying around out there. It’s time to find out about some about these myths and if there is any truth behind them.

Myth 1: Bartenders get hit on all the time.

Truth: Not all of them do and not all the time. Most bartenders master the art of flirting and smiling routinely to engage customers but never offer personal information about themselves or take it further than that. Bartenders come in contact with a lot of people and taking things personal is a recipe for disaster.  Forget the whole getting laid and hit on all the time myth. It may happen on occasion, but no more than any other person.

Myth 2: Bartenders are Uneducated.

Truth: This couldn’t be farther from the truth. First of all, most bartenders take some kind of formal education to be a bartender or go through extensive training before getting behind the bar. Others are working through college. You will meet bartenders with all types of educational background and skills. In fact, your bartender may have a Bachelor’s and even a Master’s degree.  Be careful thinking bartenders are uneducated because they may have more education than you.

Myth 3: Bartending is one big party!

Truth: False! Bartending is work. It can be fun at times and is typically a more relaxed establishment than an office job. Yet bartenders are still on their feet at for hours at a time, mixing drinks, cleaning counters and working the cash register. It’s not all fun and games. It’s still a source of income and has to have a level of professionalism.

Myth 4: Bartenders are walking encyclopedias of drinks.

Truth: It’s true that bartenders know many different types of drinks. It’s their job to know drinks. However, they don’t know every drink out there and with new drinks being made all the time, it’s quite impossible for a bartender to know everything. However, if they don’t know how to make a drink most bartenders are open to listening to their customers explain it. Bartenders like to learn new things that will increase sales and tips.

Myth 5: Bartending is just a side job.

Truth: For some, it might be. However, for many bartenders this is their only job. There are a lot of amazing bartenders who have made a career and life out of bartending. For them bartending is much more than a side job. It’s a way of life. Too many people believe you can not make a career out of bartending, but the reality is so many people have done just that. The profession of bartending offers a ton of perks if taking seriously.

Myth 6: Bartenders are alcoholics.

Truth: This myth is pretty ridiculous. In fact, it is hard for an alcoholic to work at a job that serves alcohol. The temptation would be too great and you wouldn’t get any work done. No work equals no tips. In fact, most bartenders drink very little. After seeing the effects of alcohol every day on your customers, the idea of drinking just isn’t fun anymore. It’s just like working at McDonald’s, after a while eating McDonald’s food isn’t so appealing to you.

Myth 7: Bartending is easy and glamorous.

Truth: Bartending may seem fun, exciting and easy. However, there is so much more that goes on. You need to have good people skills and know how to handle money. You need to be able to lift heavy items, clean, restock and even be ready to mop the floor and pick up broken glass. And don’t forget, it is never fun cleaning up someone else’s puke!

Myth 8: Bartenders are not accountable for their customers.

Truth: To a point this may be true. However, if a bartender served someone too many drinks and allowed them to leave without calling them a cab, we can get in trouble for any accidents or alcohol poisoning that can occur. Bartenders can still be liable. That is why a good bartender pays attention to their customers and makes sure to step in and cut them off so they get home safely.

Original article here: https://botyapp.com/8-myths-about-bartenders/

Sign Up for Email Updates

What does Bartending mean to you? (Part IV)

Are There Any Health Benefits to Drinking Alcohol?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what about an appletini?

People love to debate. And alcohol’s so-called “health benefits” have been under scrutiny for years. I’m sure you’ve heard or even voiced some of these common refrains: Is red wine really good for you? How often is too often? Can alcohol help you lose weight? Ryan threw up on me again. (OK, maybe not that last one.)

Some of these questions are difficult, if not impossible, to answer. But let’s give this a shot. If we’re trying to determine the health benefits of alcohol, we need to start by looking at whether “healthy” drinks exist, as well as whether drinking in moderation is medically advisable.

“Healthy” Drinks

“Healthy” is a highly subjective term. With drinks, as well as with food and non-alcoholic beverages, the term “healthy” is usually used to refer to one of two things: 1) few calories, or 2) high nutritional content.

Let’s look at calories, first. Naturally, calorie counts vary dramatically among alcoholic beverages. To give you an example, a Miller Light averages 96 calories per 12 ounces, while a martini averages 295 calories per 4 ounces. That’s a huge difference, folks.

As a result, people trying to lose a couple of pounds typically prefer straight alcohol or simpler combinations over cocktails. The biggest problem with this, though, is that low-calorie drinks on a whole aren’t particularly flavorful and have very little nutritional value. Take a vodka soda, for instance; the drink averages 96 calories per 1.5 ounces but offers little taste and even less enjoyment. Is it healthy? Not exactly.

Which brings me to my next point: Are there any drinks with high nutritional content?

Indeed, many cocktails contain lower alcohol levels for the sake of healthier fruit components, but sugary juices carry hefty disadvantages in the area of calories. Mimosas, for example, have somewhat high nutritional content. But the orange juice in them—though packed with Vitamin C—doesn’t come without caloric compromise. You’re basically better off just eating actual fruits. So, healthy? Debatable.

At this point, I assume you’re probably thinking, “Well, what about red wine? It’s made from grapes, so surely it has some health benefits, eh?” The truth is that the health benefits of red wine are contentious. Despite numerous studies claiming wine can be used as a preventative measure against heart disease and other ailments, none of these reports have been conclusively proven. The American Heart Association agrees: “The linkage reported in many of these studies may be due to other lifestyle factors rather than alcohol.” Great—another dead end.

Drinking in Moderation

The second concern, then, is whether it is healthy to drink or begin drinking alcohol at all.

Let’s get something straight: Nobody needs to drink alcohol. Alcohol isn’t on the food pyramid, squeezed in-between vegetables and meats and rice. That being said, it isn’t the worst thing to consume, either. In its chapter on alcohol consumption, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans states, “If alcohol is consumed, it should be in moderation—up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.”

So, moderation is key, right?

Well, not exactly. The guidelines go on to say, “The Dietary Guidelines does not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason.”

And the American Heart Association agrees: “The American Heart Association cautions people NOT to start drinking … if they do not already drink alcohol.”

Most sources, it seems, echo the somewhat contradictory opinion that while alcohol should essentially be avoided, moderate drinking isn’t likely to result in any long-term health consequences.

Conclusions (or Lack Thereof)

When it comes down to it, what and how often you drink is completely up to you. Alcohol, though perhaps not the healthiest drink in the world, isn’t going to hurt you in the long run, but it certainly isn’t going to guarantee a longer lifespan, either.

Still, nobody can predict the future. Maybe you’ll turn out to be the next Antonio Docampo Garcia and live to be 107 bychugging four bottles of wine a day.

Or maybe not.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: https://botyapp.com/blog_healthy_benefits_of_alcohol/ 

Sign Up for Email Updates

What does Bartending mean to you? (Part 4)

What does Bartending mean to you? (Part 3)

Never Say THIS to the Bartender

We’ve all said some stupid things at the bar, and especially when we’ve had too much to drink.  However, your bartender should not be the person you say it to.

Being in a bar is one of the major advantages of being an adult.  And bartenders have the benefit of working in these sacred places.  We, the customers must behave like adults and respect these gatekeepers of fun.

Here are a few of the things that your local bartender can tell you they would rather not hear you say.

“Make me a drink.” – Oh, sure thing.

Bartender: Here’s my favorite, a drink called a Red Devil.

Customer: No I’m allergic to Vodka.

Bartender: Oh, ok.  Here’s a Yuengling.

Customer:  I’m on a diet so beer is out.  What else do you got?

Bartender: How about a mojito?

Customer: Nah I need something a little stronger.

Sure, let me just spend all night trying to figure out what you want instead of you just telling me so I can help other customers.  Make up your mind and stop being so indecisive when you go to the bar.

“I know the owner of this place.” – Great, so do I.

What’s your point?  If you truly do know the owner, then you know that they have to pay bills just like you and me which means you pay for your drinks just like everyone else.  I’m expected to give you good service, you tip, and everyone has a good night.

“How do you not have …?” – We are the bartender, not the owner.

We most likely do not know why we do not have what you want.  Even if we do, we have other customers we need to take care of and don’t have time to explain the complex financial decisions that led to the owner/manager deciding to not carry that particular drink in stock.  You’ve been drinking and it’s pretty loud in here so it’s going to be hard for you to hear and comprehend what I am trying to tell you anyway.  So, please just suck it up and pick another drink, okay?

“Make it really strong.” – Sure, we will go ahead and over-pour and risk our job just for you.

Not a problem.  I mean nobody else wants more for their money, right?  The owner doesn’t have an overhead, right?  Here’s the thing… If you are someone we would be willing to risk our job for by “hooking up,” you wouldn’t need to ask us for the favor, not to mention you would respect us enough not to put us in the awkward situation by asking us to do so for you.  We have set standards as far as how much we pour and our jobs depend on our accuracy and reliability.

“What’s cheap here?” – What this translates to us is “for future reference, avoid serving this person like the plague, because my tips, if any, are going to be horrible.”

We get it, you’re on a budget.  However, what is “cheapest” may not be what you like to drink, nor have we memorized the prices of every single drink we have.  The safe bet is to order a draft beer which is cheaper than the bottle, then mixed drinks and wines coming in last.  Please DO NOT expect us to go over to the touch-screen and look at several drink prices for you while we are attempting to serve other people.

“Can I get your phone number?” – Sure, let me go ahead and give a stranger here at my workplace my number.

What possibly could go wrong with that?  I give you my number and if things don’t work out, every time you come to the bar, we get to awkwardly see each other every time!  If you really want to get to know the bartender, instead of asking for our phone number, give us yours.  Don’t ask us if we want it, just write down your name, put it on a piece of paper, and give it to us.  If for some reason you caught our interest, you’ll hear from us.  If you never hear from me, understand this is where I do my business, not pick up dates.  

Sign Up for Email Updates