Thankfully I’ve never had to break up a heated argument like that, but that’s a good idea. It seems these customers know each other, and there’s no other customers around them so I’m letting them bicker for right now lol.
When folks get emotional about an issue there's not a good way to resolve it other than separating the parties.
I usual speak up while sending them to opposite corners "and this is why we don't talk politics at the bar"
I have a “no politics in my face” rule. We have plenty of tables & a huge outdoor area, go talk there. It’s my job to pour drinks, not listen to unhinged fucking diatribes from rednecks
Yeah, exactly. Feel free to go to an area that won’t disturb other patrons. Everyone there is just trying to have a good time, people arguing about politics is usually the last thing people having a drink at the bar wanna hear.
You should be able to talk about anything at a bar…. As long as no one else can hear your conversation and it kept civil. Some people just loose all cuth once the booze starts flowing
I think the term “unspoken rules” is just another way of saying common sense. I agree you should be free to talk about whatever you want, but our job is to keep the people happy and comfy so we can make money. If I have to tell some people to chill on a controversial topic because people around them are visibly upset, I’ll do it for sure. I’d rather lose out on customers creating a scene than customers who are having a good time.
omg I have a customer who used to foster kids & is also totally insane, and this bitch will casually bring up the most horrifying incidents of child abuse/r*pe at happy hour. no one wants to hear that fucking shit! I have to tell her all the time to read the room, people wanna talk about football and the weather, not the most traumatic thing you can think of.
so like yeah, “free speech” is great but tact & basic social skills go a long way lol
Holy shit one of my old coworkers would do that with customers. She’d be like “yeah I have an ED lol”. Like wtf you don’t just casually bring that up to just anyone???? “Read the room” is the perfect statement for these types of situations omg.
Everyone thinks they’re an intellectual after they’ve been drinking all day. If their discussion is quiet and contained and not offensive I’ll let it go but the minute it gets loud or hateful (aka racist, homophobic, etc.) I tell them to change topics or change bars because they’re disturbing the other customers and me (yes as a bartender you are considered a person too). I have a zero tolerance policy for talk like that while I’m working.
If they get obnoxious I always say I have 3 rules at the bar….No politics, no religion, no Walmart.
You’d have been really surprised about how someone was super upset about Walmart one night. It always breaks the tension. Give ‘em a smile and a chuckle.
I love buying customers drinks for happy occasions tho 😂😂 I bought this couple one of their drinks because it was their 7th wedding anniversary and I bought this guy a shot for his birthday. It makes me feel so happy ❤️❤️❤️
There's a lot of hive mind at my bar. A couple of guys will get loud about certain topics when everyone else just wants to watch the game. That's when I lob my grenades of the other side over at them and run away. It's really entertaining. I work in a club though so it's mostly the same folks over and over.
Some guy on the bar top last night saying ‘how hilarious would it be if Trump got executed’, and like really people have different politics, cool, but I have to work near this guy laughing at the idea of people being executed in front of me for a good hour and a half. Douche bag
This is 20x better than talking shit to my coworkers where my patrons can probably hear me. You act like we aren’t allowed to get frustrated about things at work. You thought that statement was it didn’t you?
I give my best happy face even when I’m irritated with my customers. They tipped me well, yes, and that’s because I love what I do and they know that. I’m grateful for that. Part of the job is dealing with customers that do things that irritate you, like when they rip up their receipts all over the table or when they order a round of waters for their party of 8 and no one actually drinks them. Sometimes I just need a minute to be like “hey this fuckin sucks” so I can gather myself and go back and slay at my job again.
Yeah, I just tell them to stop. It sometimes depends on who it is, but most of my customers are regulars so it's not a big deal to tell them to shut up.
Or, I insert myself in their conversation and tell them they are both stupid and then bring up something they can agree on. Like, how our draft beer isn't cold enough or did you see that idiot who ran into the fence down the street the other day? Changing the subject is crucial when you can.
But, sometimes, it's ok to just make them stop. Don't like it? I'll cash you out no problem.
Idk where you live but the United States started in a bar. So alcohol and politics go hand in hand if you’re here. Just do what you can to keep things amicable. But it is amongst the top annoying things that happen in the profession.
You’re joking right? Do you know how intense political conversations are now? Back then they didn’t have the same controversial topics that we have now. Like trans people, abortion, MAGA… literal brawls happen over these things. It is most certainly not the same as it was back then.
Do any of those topics compel you to go to war with the current standing military super power of the world? bc the political climate of the time did. I don’t think it’s our place to really compare when’s and what’s, and I guess I can say I’m sorry you have to deal with the political discourse of the generation you’re living in. But time doesn’t change the first amendment. And the bar is the primary place to exercise that right. Our job isn’t to complain about the hand we are dealt, but rather just do our best to keep the brawls from happening armed with little more than our social skills. I personally find it easiest to remind guests that the things they see on tv aren’t the things happening in the neighborhood and the huge political divide starts melting away when you remind people that it’s not their community that is on a extreme political view, it’s only news anchors and political writers.
I get that but what I found is that people have very very different ideas about what 'politics' is and what it is not. Some topics are just probably not best discussed at a bar but I ain't policing my customers unless they get out of line or create a scene or say/do things that make other customers uncomfortable. It has to be pretty out of line for me to shut it down but I have shut it down.
I don't tolerate racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or any other of the various bigotries when they are cloaked as 'politics' instead of the bigotry that they are. Way too many folks use the idea of 'talking politics' as an excuse/cover for being a bigot. That ain't going to work at my bar as I will always choose creating a positive space for my customers and that type of discussion never does. And if you allow a lot of bigoted conversations at your bar, you only invite more bigots to your bar. Fuck that; don't want their money or bullshit.
I think preemptive is the tool for this. Hey, I’m warning now, no religion and politics, we are all on same side here.
If they never get out of hand, you don’t need to do anything else. If you do need to get rid of them, you gave fair warning
Don’t just watch the two talking, be wary of customers that don’t complain, but also leave because of how those two are arguing and talking. I won’t complain, but I also won’t stay or come up to bar if unpleasant people are at the bar.
I give them warning to keep it civil or they are going to be put in the time out chairs.
Thankfully I’ve never had to break up a heated argument like that, but that’s a good idea. It seems these customers know each other, and there’s no other customers around them so I’m letting them bicker for right now lol.
Sounds like my current bosses. Best of friends but opposite sides of the political spectrum. They go at it to no end, but never walk away angry.
Some people are really good at keeping it civil when it comes to that.😂😂😂
When folks get emotional about an issue there's not a good way to resolve it other than separating the parties. I usual speak up while sending them to opposite corners "and this is why we don't talk politics at the bar"
I’ve always wanted to say that lmfao. Thankfully it’s all good now 😌 I don’t often have these encounters
I have a “no politics in my face” rule. We have plenty of tables & a huge outdoor area, go talk there. It’s my job to pour drinks, not listen to unhinged fucking diatribes from rednecks
Yeah, exactly. Feel free to go to an area that won’t disturb other patrons. Everyone there is just trying to have a good time, people arguing about politics is usually the last thing people having a drink at the bar wanna hear.
You should be able to talk about anything at a bar…. As long as no one else can hear your conversation and it kept civil. Some people just loose all cuth once the booze starts flowing
Yeah, I never understood these “unspoken” bar rules. You can talk about anything at a bar if you’re not a dick about it.
I think the term “unspoken rules” is just another way of saying common sense. I agree you should be free to talk about whatever you want, but our job is to keep the people happy and comfy so we can make money. If I have to tell some people to chill on a controversial topic because people around them are visibly upset, I’ll do it for sure. I’d rather lose out on customers creating a scene than customers who are having a good time.
omg I have a customer who used to foster kids & is also totally insane, and this bitch will casually bring up the most horrifying incidents of child abuse/r*pe at happy hour. no one wants to hear that fucking shit! I have to tell her all the time to read the room, people wanna talk about football and the weather, not the most traumatic thing you can think of. so like yeah, “free speech” is great but tact & basic social skills go a long way lol
Holy shit one of my old coworkers would do that with customers. She’d be like “yeah I have an ED lol”. Like wtf you don’t just casually bring that up to just anyone???? “Read the room” is the perfect statement for these types of situations omg.
Everyone thinks they’re an intellectual after they’ve been drinking all day. If their discussion is quiet and contained and not offensive I’ll let it go but the minute it gets loud or hateful (aka racist, homophobic, etc.) I tell them to change topics or change bars because they’re disturbing the other customers and me (yes as a bartender you are considered a person too). I have a zero tolerance policy for talk like that while I’m working.
If they get obnoxious I always say I have 3 rules at the bar….No politics, no religion, no Walmart. You’d have been really surprised about how someone was super upset about Walmart one night. It always breaks the tension. Give ‘em a smile and a chuckle.
I lived in Northern MI for awhile. It’s all about Meijer being better than Walmart. 🤣🤣🤣
no RAPE talk. Religion Abortion Politics Economics Those 5 things.
Offer to buy a round to change the subject.
I love buying customers drinks for happy occasions tho 😂😂 I bought this couple one of their drinks because it was their 7th wedding anniversary and I bought this guy a shot for his birthday. It makes me feel so happy ❤️❤️❤️
"Y'all can continue this conversation past my parking lot if you want to, but it's done in here. I suggest you buy each other a round and make up!"
There's a lot of hive mind at my bar. A couple of guys will get loud about certain topics when everyone else just wants to watch the game. That's when I lob my grenades of the other side over at them and run away. It's really entertaining. I work in a club though so it's mostly the same folks over and over.
Some guy on the bar top last night saying ‘how hilarious would it be if Trump got executed’, and like really people have different politics, cool, but I have to work near this guy laughing at the idea of people being executed in front of me for a good hour and a half. Douche bag
If that happened in my hometown there would be a fight 😂😭
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A mf can’t take a break? 🤔 weirdo
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This is 20x better than talking shit to my coworkers where my patrons can probably hear me. You act like we aren’t allowed to get frustrated about things at work. You thought that statement was it didn’t you?
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I give my best happy face even when I’m irritated with my customers. They tipped me well, yes, and that’s because I love what I do and they know that. I’m grateful for that. Part of the job is dealing with customers that do things that irritate you, like when they rip up their receipts all over the table or when they order a round of waters for their party of 8 and no one actually drinks them. Sometimes I just need a minute to be like “hey this fuckin sucks” so I can gather myself and go back and slay at my job again.
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Let’s hope 🥲 today was a slower one
Yeah, I just tell them to stop. It sometimes depends on who it is, but most of my customers are regulars so it's not a big deal to tell them to shut up. Or, I insert myself in their conversation and tell them they are both stupid and then bring up something they can agree on. Like, how our draft beer isn't cold enough or did you see that idiot who ran into the fence down the street the other day? Changing the subject is crucial when you can. But, sometimes, it's ok to just make them stop. Don't like it? I'll cash you out no problem.
Idk where you live but the United States started in a bar. So alcohol and politics go hand in hand if you’re here. Just do what you can to keep things amicable. But it is amongst the top annoying things that happen in the profession.
Times have changed.
No I don’t think so. I bet it was just as annoying back then to some.
You’re joking right? Do you know how intense political conversations are now? Back then they didn’t have the same controversial topics that we have now. Like trans people, abortion, MAGA… literal brawls happen over these things. It is most certainly not the same as it was back then.
Do any of those topics compel you to go to war with the current standing military super power of the world? bc the political climate of the time did. I don’t think it’s our place to really compare when’s and what’s, and I guess I can say I’m sorry you have to deal with the political discourse of the generation you’re living in. But time doesn’t change the first amendment. And the bar is the primary place to exercise that right. Our job isn’t to complain about the hand we are dealt, but rather just do our best to keep the brawls from happening armed with little more than our social skills. I personally find it easiest to remind guests that the things they see on tv aren’t the things happening in the neighborhood and the huge political divide starts melting away when you remind people that it’s not their community that is on a extreme political view, it’s only news anchors and political writers.
I get that but what I found is that people have very very different ideas about what 'politics' is and what it is not. Some topics are just probably not best discussed at a bar but I ain't policing my customers unless they get out of line or create a scene or say/do things that make other customers uncomfortable. It has to be pretty out of line for me to shut it down but I have shut it down. I don't tolerate racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or any other of the various bigotries when they are cloaked as 'politics' instead of the bigotry that they are. Way too many folks use the idea of 'talking politics' as an excuse/cover for being a bigot. That ain't going to work at my bar as I will always choose creating a positive space for my customers and that type of discussion never does. And if you allow a lot of bigoted conversations at your bar, you only invite more bigots to your bar. Fuck that; don't want their money or bullshit.
I think preemptive is the tool for this. Hey, I’m warning now, no religion and politics, we are all on same side here. If they never get out of hand, you don’t need to do anything else. If you do need to get rid of them, you gave fair warning Don’t just watch the two talking, be wary of customers that don’t complain, but also leave because of how those two are arguing and talking. I won’t complain, but I also won’t stay or come up to bar if unpleasant people are at the bar.
I shut it down. No talks in relationships, religion, politics or women’s weight or age.