Scenes at the bar

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu May 19, 2005 2:45 pm

I had a couple sitting at my bar last night, whom I had seen before. The previous week they had been in to sing karaoke and had gotten into an argument. As they were having their drinks, they started to argue again, becoming progressively louder, the woman especially. I'd glance up when she got very shrill, she'd catch my eye and lower her voice. After several silent exchanges like this, she quit controlling herself and began shreiking at her SO. I went to her and said, "Hey, no one wants to listen to this, you guys really need to keep it down." Being a very slow night, she looked around the bar and said "S**t, there's no one in here anyways!" To which I replied, "Well, it's bugging me, so knock it off, or take it outside."

If you were out for the evening, would this bother you, or would you just tune it out? Would you appreciate the bartender stepping in and nipping it in the bud? Or would you rather it was just left alone so you could be entertained by two people acting like idiots?

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Thu May 19, 2005 2:58 pm

I`d prefer it to stop, but probably wouldn`t say anything in case it enflamed the situation. I`d be very glad if the barman stopped it. I think you were brave to attempt to stop it!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:26 pm

the problem with "interfering" with people out there in public, strangers, is you don't know who's armed and stupid. i am not referring to you BR, that was your venue and you had to say something. this is only one reason i never go out to bars. if something crazy happens i would be REQUIRED to step in according to my sheriff. "we are never off duty" is his policy. so most of my friends and i simply don't put ourselves in that position. i would not advise anyone to step into an altercation in public, but if it looks bad, call the authorities. some of the most dangerous and volatile situations are domestic arguments.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:26 pm

You did the right thing. You've got to stop it before it gets out of control. I was in the bar I work at as a customer and this couple was sitting there arguing. I told them, "Look. I came out to have fun, not listen to you two make fools of yourselves. If you want to continue to argue, there's the door." They stopped and I enjoyed the rest of the night.

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:49 pm

I think you did your job, no matter who is in the bar, patrons or employees garbage between partners should not be public junk.

Good on ya BR. I would have wished for you to have said something If I were there at the time.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:54 pm

This was by no means a physical confrontation. It was a couple, having an argument, where the woman was getting very shrill and loud. A bartenders job is to control things, both how much a customer drinks, and how they act in the bar. If they can't control themselves, they are asked to leave. If they don't leave, they are removed. Not usually by me, but that has happened, too. The nice thing about my situation is, we (the staff) can refuse service to any person for any reason and be perfectly within our rights. It's one of the only jobs I know of where "The customer is always right" does NOT always apply. When there's booze involved, it's my way or the highway.

This brings me to the end of my power trip. :yh_rotfl

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:58 pm

BabyRider wrote: This was by no means a physical confrontation. It was a couple, having an argument, where the woman was getting very shrill and loud. A bartenders job is to control things, both how much a customer drinks, and how they act in the bar. If they can't control themselves, they are asked to leave. If they don't leave, they are removed. Not usually by me, but that has happened, too. The nice thing about my situation is, we (the staff) can refuse service to any person for any reason and be perfectly within our rights. It's one of the only jobs I know of where "The customer is always right" does NOT always apply. When there's booze involved, it's my way or the highway.

This brings me to the end of my power trip. :yh_rotfl

POWER TO THE DRINK MASTER WHOOOO HAWWWW

cars · Post by **cars** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:00 pm

Posted by BabyRider:

If you were out for the evening, would this bother you, or would you just tune it out? Would you appreciate the bartender stepping in and nipping it in the bud? Or would you rather it was just left alone so you could be entertained by two people acting like idiots?

Good for you BR, yes I agree that I would not want to be "Bothered" by a couple of dufuses ruining everyone elses evening with their "Noise Polution"!!! :-5

hotsauce · Post by **hotsauce** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:47 pm

When I served our manager would ask people to stop their cell phone conversations because they annoyed others. I think that if managers have the authority to do that, you can certainly nip an argument in the bud. To answer your question, no...that is the last thing I want to hear when I go out to relax.

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Thu May 19, 2005 6:37 pm

Gee Br;

You reminded me of a joke.......Maybe this will make you feel better:-6

An old cowboy went to a bar and ordered a drink. As he sat sipping his whiskey, a young lady sat down next to him. She turned to the cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?"

He replied, "Well, I've spent my whole life on the ranch, herding horses, mending fences, and branding cattle, so I guess I am."

She said, "I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. As I watch TV, or even eat, I think about women. Everything seems to make me think about women."

The two sat sipping in silence. A short time later, a man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?"

He replied, "I always thought I was, but I just found out I'm a lesbian."

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu May 19, 2005 6:40 pm

:yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

That's one I will share with my customers tomorrow!

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Thu May 19, 2005 6:57 pm

BR,

You did the right thing, your establishment your call.

People just amaze me, come to a place and argue. PLEASE, AS YOU SAID TAKE IT OUTSIDE OR GO HOME.

That is a good one BTS.. :wah:

mominiowa · Post by **mominiowa** » Thu May 19, 2005 7:00 pm

I still do bartend (now at a resturant/ lounge, not a bar) & we always encourage people who get loud or start to argue to stop ASAP - or do it outside..I once did this to some chic at a bar I worked at and she was a tiny thing...I told her she would have to leave and she said - who's gonna make me?? hmmm 2nd grade?? I walked around thinking my whole 185 lbs could take this scrawny sh*t - and she stepped up on the foot rest and nailed me..I hit the floor! That was like the LAST time I didn't have back up when I walked out from behind the bar... :wah:

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri May 20, 2005 6:03 am

I have a customer who only comes in like 3 times a year, thank God. He always has a designated driver or no way would I serve him. He gets there, so drunk he's slobbering. He tells me he wants to bite my neck. What an attractive picture that is as the slober runs down his chin! Then he wants to have a wedding reception with me. No wedding, just the reception and honeymoon, because he wants to have a big party with me.

Then there's the one who only drinks a pop. You have to count his change back to him 3 times on a good day, more on one of his bad days. He'll buy tickets to play, which you have to open for him since he can't see. He'll then forget he bought them and you have to explain it to him over and over where he spent $3 out of his pocket. He's old, so I'm patient with him, but when you have a bar full of other customers, it's hard to stop and explain the same thing over and over and over.