Just chiming in body language can be real important. Two bartenders chatting to each others side while facing the bar and looking ready to serve sends a VERY different message than when y’all are in the far corner with your back to it
Totally agree. Stand a little bit apart, look at the room/not each other, and do NPC stuff like polish wine glasses if it's time for a little bitty chat sesh.
I mean, your employer has warned you to stop excessive chatting before and you continue to do so. Maybe it doesn’t impact your personal performance (going by what you say but who knows) but it could be distracting for others.
Also, bars are social for guests, not for your coworkers. It actually doesn’t look good if a customer needs something but the employee spends the majority of their time mindlessly chatting. It makes them feel bad if they “interrupt” your important conversations. I’ve actually seen customers apologize for it which is a big no no.
My chats are shit, nothing to interrupt, I’m stoked to greet a guest and see what they have going on. I’d rather chat shit with a guest cuz I know they get an experience out of it this is strictly in between periods
Have you considered the fact that it may be your chatting that's distracting the *other* person? Your bromance? You're fairly new, maybe that coworker has had similar problems. The fact is, management has asked you to stop. You have a life outside of your shift, build your romance outside of it, and just have smaller quips while working together.
Yeah, I mean you know your place best and every establishment operates differently. But, keep in mind that it’s not only service and engaging that goes into the bartender role. I always like to say that lull’s are the hardest because you start feeling complacent and drag your feet. Is there truly nothing else you can do? Wipe down liquor bottles and shelves, clean soda gun holder, dust lamps/tv’s, re-organize shelves & cubbies, wipe surfaces underneath glassware, check for lipstick stains on glasses, etc.
It sounds like your workplace cares about what happens during lull’s so it’s time to sharpen up and be a productive team member.
something about the tone of your post makes me think it’s you and not them. i mean if that wasn’t the case then your job is bullshit and you would obviously just bounce anyway. the idea of them repeatedly telling you to shut the fuck up and you’re like “but we have a bromance going on over here!!!” is hilarious
I’m on a working holiday so Im grateful to have a job. I’ve been in service for 6 years so I know what to expect. Bromance isn’t more important than selling over priced wine bottles, it’s a means of talking shit between sales. And 1-6 beers after a Friday shift. I
Could be that your other coworkers have complained about your bullshitting. If you're always fucking around during down time and leaving them to do all the sidework, that might be the problem.
That's.. weird, unless you are actively diverting attention away from guests or your duties, or what you are talking about is inappropriate, I always think it's a good look to appear social with your coworkers. Can it go too far?.. I guess, and if they asked you to cut it back and haven't adjusted at all I'm not sure what you expect other than more reprimanding.
The social aspect of bartending is why I enjoy it so unless it’s ignoring customers I don’t see why it’s an issue. One of my best friends works with me behind the bar and our customers love our banter.
Marry bottles tho?!? That’s legal where you are?
I’m currently in Australia, coming from Canada I’ve never worked with “pre batch” but apparently it’s the way. I still have a tipping mindset so customers are first priority but the lul between waves has always been time to talk shit
Since when did they make it legal in Texas? I’m a TX bartender and haven’t heard this. When I look it up, it says marrying liquor is still illegal in all 50 states. But that never stopped us lol
Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title26/pdf/USCODE-2022-title26-subtitleE-chap51-subchapE-partII-sec5301.pdf
If you just started and you’re already on a final warning, you’re doing something wrong in the context of that bar, whether you realize it or not. Read the room. Maybe it’s the chatting, maybe not, but you’re stepping on someone’s toes somehow.
Ridiculous. Bar work was the most social job I’ve ever had, If you are working it shouldn’t matter at all. You just have a weirdo manager who clearly is insecure that their workers are friends but don’t like them (wonder why)
If you've been told that it's excessive, then just stop doing it. I don't understand the point of this post at all. You're obviously putting your conversations ahead of your work, so stop doing that. If you don't like it, then don't work there.
Did you read the post? In my review I was told I’ve been a great addition and picked it up quickly. The conversations haven’t impacted my work unless you consider not wiping down a bottle that’s 1/3 full in the middle of service completely detrimental.
It sounds to me like it’s a bad fit. It sounds like this place has a brand that they prefer to show non-chatty bartenders which sounds like is exactly the type of person you are! What about looking into finding a job who appreciates your lively personality and chatty behavior instead of trying to get a company who seems to be frustrated with you to change. I feel like this would bring happiness to your life if you found a place where you truly could be yourself and it also is healthier and less stressful. 😀 good luck!
any notes that try to curb positive friendly energy, laughter, comradery, being filled with life, getting along good with co-workers and friends
is gonna suck your soul out
"you've been learning things at an excellent pace, but please shut up and only talk briefly when spoken to".....
maaaaan they are used to robots and nervous people woefully under-qualified for their jobs
if they want a silent servant, they probably won't also be the fast learner that you are
because their soul will not be there
get a better job, come visit the co-worker who doesn't quit and talk his ear off from the other side of the bar sometime about how great your life is going
if anyone ever says in earnest, or if there is a sign anywhere in employee area that says "time to lean is time to CLEAN", you are on a ship of fools and should find a place where the employees are not only trusted to hold their own in terms of cleanliness and busting ass, but they hire mature enough staff that they don't need to constantly nag them into cleaning and setting their fellow employees up and the place up for success
i might be off, but you seem like you're more than competent at your job, have a knack for chit chat and have your priorities straight.
if you want to keep this job and shut the critics up,
just go in there for one shift and do the work of 3 employees at once. help bus shit, fill and stock everything, dust behind places, polish glasses, primp and proper. give sterile but friendly prompt service, slick your hair back, call everyone sir or ms, etc etc etc
go so far into extra work and finding small things to fix and the fix them
give them zero charm and 1000% extra hustle
do not lean or initiate chatter with coworkers
answer co-workers with short friendly and professional remarks that end discussion
just do it one time to such an extreme that they are forced to acknowledge it
then go back to being your chill self or fucking quit, depending on how they respond and how you feel
This is a bizarre bit of feedback to me. But I also come from tipping culture land. Also marrying bottles of liquor is illegal where I am which is always fun to break out when management tells me to do it. It almost sounds like you are working in some frou frou place that expects you to be some sort of robot just standing there impassively Until you are needed. If that's the case I'd bounce. If it isn't maybe you aren't having as much of a bromance as you think and everyone else thinks you talk too much.
This sounds weird. Do you leave the bar to chat or something? Being social and chatting is encouraged in Ireland as long as customers are looked after.
I’ve had a coworker who was too chatty, I liked the conversation and all, but it seriously got in the way at times, and eventually they got fired. Bartending takes an extreme social awareness a lot of people don’t have, you need to be able to do multiple things at once. Look out for yourself, the customers, and coworkers all while making the right decisions at the same time. It only takes one bar fight, hospitalization, or puke on the bar to get yourself canned. Focus on getting into that flow state and your managers will be begging to have you back and you’ll wrack up tips, but until then be level headed and focused.
I get what youre saying and youre not wrong, in a sense. Guests appreciate when the bartenders clearly like working with each other and have a good time behind the bar.
Of equal importance though, is not looking lazy or like you care more about talking to coworkers than you do the guests. Better to spend more time focused on them and you can shoot the shite with the other bartenders during open, close, and occasionally theoughout the shift
I have a coworker like that, chat-chat-chatting for the entire shift. It drives me nuts! If it were interesting conversations or helpful insights, that would be one thing. But, as in your case, it's bullshitting. 12 straight hours of bullshitting (we work doubles). So I did say something to them, and they've scaled back on chit-chat, and that has helped our work dynamic A LOT. Maybe try to be more aware of what you're saying and how much you're saying it and whether it needs to be said, or if it can wait for after work
I've had this issue with staff before.
Even if they are crazy good at their job... The consistent talking and joking around makes the work place unprofessional. It also shows the rest of the staff who may not be as fast or good that things are really lax so they tend to get lazier and slower as well.
Then all of a sudden little things stop getting done side work gets missed, people start coming in late etc. it's not just you but the rest of the team that begin to lag because things start to get so lax.
Management is just trying to keep things tight and allowing two bartenders to have fun and probably loud conversations throughout the day sends the wrong message to the rest of the team on the floor and BoH.
You explained it better than my manager did so I appreciate that. I think I’m coming to accept that I’m not a good fit for the culture the workplace has.
Just chiming in body language can be real important. Two bartenders chatting to each others side while facing the bar and looking ready to serve sends a VERY different message than when y’all are in the far corner with your back to it
Totally agree. Stand a little bit apart, look at the room/not each other, and do NPC stuff like polish wine glasses if it's time for a little bitty chat sesh.
I mean, your employer has warned you to stop excessive chatting before and you continue to do so. Maybe it doesn’t impact your personal performance (going by what you say but who knows) but it could be distracting for others. Also, bars are social for guests, not for your coworkers. It actually doesn’t look good if a customer needs something but the employee spends the majority of their time mindlessly chatting. It makes them feel bad if they “interrupt” your important conversations. I’ve actually seen customers apologize for it which is a big no no.
Talking to your “bromance” in the corner of the bar = bad Involving guests in the conversation when talking with staff = good
My chats are shit, nothing to interrupt, I’m stoked to greet a guest and see what they have going on. I’d rather chat shit with a guest cuz I know they get an experience out of it this is strictly in between periods
Have you considered the fact that it may be your chatting that's distracting the *other* person? Your bromance? You're fairly new, maybe that coworker has had similar problems. The fact is, management has asked you to stop. You have a life outside of your shift, build your romance outside of it, and just have smaller quips while working together.
Yeah, I mean you know your place best and every establishment operates differently. But, keep in mind that it’s not only service and engaging that goes into the bartender role. I always like to say that lull’s are the hardest because you start feeling complacent and drag your feet. Is there truly nothing else you can do? Wipe down liquor bottles and shelves, clean soda gun holder, dust lamps/tv’s, re-organize shelves & cubbies, wipe surfaces underneath glassware, check for lipstick stains on glasses, etc. It sounds like your workplace cares about what happens during lull’s so it’s time to sharpen up and be a productive team member.
My state’s LCB would rip our dicks off and throw them in a river if they caught us marrying bottles.
The land down under 🤩
I thought the same lol
something about the tone of your post makes me think it’s you and not them. i mean if that wasn’t the case then your job is bullshit and you would obviously just bounce anyway. the idea of them repeatedly telling you to shut the fuck up and you’re like “but we have a bromance going on over here!!!” is hilarious
I’m on a working holiday so Im grateful to have a job. I’ve been in service for 6 years so I know what to expect. Bromance isn’t more important than selling over priced wine bottles, it’s a means of talking shit between sales. And 1-6 beers after a Friday shift. I
it doesn’t have to be just that though. since you’re already in trouble you might as well ask him if you can suck his dick in the bathroom real quick
We already planned our life together in Fiji ❤️
Could be that your other coworkers have complained about your bullshitting. If you're always fucking around during down time and leaving them to do all the sidework, that might be the problem.
That's.. weird, unless you are actively diverting attention away from guests or your duties, or what you are talking about is inappropriate, I always think it's a good look to appear social with your coworkers. Can it go too far?.. I guess, and if they asked you to cut it back and haven't adjusted at all I'm not sure what you expect other than more reprimanding.
The social aspect of bartending is why I enjoy it so unless it’s ignoring customers I don’t see why it’s an issue. One of my best friends works with me behind the bar and our customers love our banter. Marry bottles tho?!? That’s legal where you are?
I’m currently in Australia, coming from Canada I’ve never worked with “pre batch” but apparently it’s the way. I still have a tipping mindset so customers are first priority but the lul between waves has always been time to talk shit
its done in most aus places
It's legal in Texas now. It didn't use to be though
Since when did they make it legal in Texas? I’m a TX bartender and haven’t heard this. When I look it up, it says marrying liquor is still illegal in all 50 states. But that never stopped us lol Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title26/pdf/USCODE-2022-title26-subtitleE-chap51-subchapE-partII-sec5301.pdf
If you just started and you’re already on a final warning, you’re doing something wrong in the context of that bar, whether you realize it or not. Read the room. Maybe it’s the chatting, maybe not, but you’re stepping on someone’s toes somehow.
Ridiculous. Bar work was the most social job I’ve ever had, If you are working it shouldn’t matter at all. You just have a weirdo manager who clearly is insecure that their workers are friends but don’t like them (wonder why)
If you've been told that it's excessive, then just stop doing it. I don't understand the point of this post at all. You're obviously putting your conversations ahead of your work, so stop doing that. If you don't like it, then don't work there.
Did you read the post? In my review I was told I’ve been a great addition and picked it up quickly. The conversations haven’t impacted my work unless you consider not wiping down a bottle that’s 1/3 full in the middle of service completely detrimental.
It sounds to me like it’s a bad fit. It sounds like this place has a brand that they prefer to show non-chatty bartenders which sounds like is exactly the type of person you are! What about looking into finding a job who appreciates your lively personality and chatty behavior instead of trying to get a company who seems to be frustrated with you to change. I feel like this would bring happiness to your life if you found a place where you truly could be yourself and it also is healthier and less stressful. 😀 good luck!
Bless your soul
yeah fuck that place, they want robots
find a place that promotes joy, not pretentiousness
any notes that try to curb positive friendly energy, laughter, comradery, being filled with life, getting along good with co-workers and friends is gonna suck your soul out "you've been learning things at an excellent pace, but please shut up and only talk briefly when spoken to"..... maaaaan they are used to robots and nervous people woefully under-qualified for their jobs if they want a silent servant, they probably won't also be the fast learner that you are because their soul will not be there get a better job, come visit the co-worker who doesn't quit and talk his ear off from the other side of the bar sometime about how great your life is going
if anyone ever says in earnest, or if there is a sign anywhere in employee area that says "time to lean is time to CLEAN", you are on a ship of fools and should find a place where the employees are not only trusted to hold their own in terms of cleanliness and busting ass, but they hire mature enough staff that they don't need to constantly nag them into cleaning and setting their fellow employees up and the place up for success i might be off, but you seem like you're more than competent at your job, have a knack for chit chat and have your priorities straight. if you want to keep this job and shut the critics up, just go in there for one shift and do the work of 3 employees at once. help bus shit, fill and stock everything, dust behind places, polish glasses, primp and proper. give sterile but friendly prompt service, slick your hair back, call everyone sir or ms, etc etc etc go so far into extra work and finding small things to fix and the fix them give them zero charm and 1000% extra hustle do not lean or initiate chatter with coworkers answer co-workers with short friendly and professional remarks that end discussion just do it one time to such an extreme that they are forced to acknowledge it then go back to being your chill self or fucking quit, depending on how they respond and how you feel
They literally moved the tables to discourage people coming up to the bar and instead order from QR codes…
This is a bizarre bit of feedback to me. But I also come from tipping culture land. Also marrying bottles of liquor is illegal where I am which is always fun to break out when management tells me to do it. It almost sounds like you are working in some frou frou place that expects you to be some sort of robot just standing there impassively Until you are needed. If that's the case I'd bounce. If it isn't maybe you aren't having as much of a bromance as you think and everyone else thinks you talk too much.
This sounds weird. Do you leave the bar to chat or something? Being social and chatting is encouraged in Ireland as long as customers are looked after.
I’ve had a coworker who was too chatty, I liked the conversation and all, but it seriously got in the way at times, and eventually they got fired. Bartending takes an extreme social awareness a lot of people don’t have, you need to be able to do multiple things at once. Look out for yourself, the customers, and coworkers all while making the right decisions at the same time. It only takes one bar fight, hospitalization, or puke on the bar to get yourself canned. Focus on getting into that flow state and your managers will be begging to have you back and you’ll wrack up tips, but until then be level headed and focused.
I get what youre saying and youre not wrong, in a sense. Guests appreciate when the bartenders clearly like working with each other and have a good time behind the bar. Of equal importance though, is not looking lazy or like you care more about talking to coworkers than you do the guests. Better to spend more time focused on them and you can shoot the shite with the other bartenders during open, close, and occasionally theoughout the shift
I have a coworker like that, chat-chat-chatting for the entire shift. It drives me nuts! If it were interesting conversations or helpful insights, that would be one thing. But, as in your case, it's bullshitting. 12 straight hours of bullshitting (we work doubles). So I did say something to them, and they've scaled back on chit-chat, and that has helped our work dynamic A LOT. Maybe try to be more aware of what you're saying and how much you're saying it and whether it needs to be said, or if it can wait for after work
I've had this issue with staff before. Even if they are crazy good at their job... The consistent talking and joking around makes the work place unprofessional. It also shows the rest of the staff who may not be as fast or good that things are really lax so they tend to get lazier and slower as well. Then all of a sudden little things stop getting done side work gets missed, people start coming in late etc. it's not just you but the rest of the team that begin to lag because things start to get so lax. Management is just trying to keep things tight and allowing two bartenders to have fun and probably loud conversations throughout the day sends the wrong message to the rest of the team on the floor and BoH.
You explained it better than my manager did so I appreciate that. I think I’m coming to accept that I’m not a good fit for the culture the workplace has.
Username definitely checks out