Is bartending an emotional profession?

The bartend emotional control intelligence. Professions, there are many, of all kinds. There are some that are more mechanical or perhaps you could say that they are more methodical. Some such as law, administration or even medicine, in these careers, you learn everything by the book. With that said, this does not mean that they have emotions. They are just much more academic than instinctive or emotional.

There is no way to deny that bartending is a highly emotional profession that requires control and maturity.

Other professions, on the other hand, are considered more emotional. More related to art the development of unique and special abilities and skills. One of those professions is bartending.

When we say that bartending is an emotional professional. We don’t mean that in a dramatic way at all. The emotional element of bartering is all about being in complete control of your emotional responses.

In other words, the emotional aspect of bartending is all about having emotional intelligence. Which is something that most people lack, but all bartenders need.

Controlling emotions for bartend emotional control intelligence

The truth is that in many professions it is necessary to have total control over emotions. Especially when we are dealing directly with customers. Every night the bartender interacts with totally different people. Although it is true in bars and restaurants there are some recurring customers who are already known at the bar. The reality is that the vast majority are strangers.

Beyond controlling emotions, in the sense of putting patience and other qualities into practice. We also refer to the part of emotional control, working as a bartender can often lead to stress. Especially when we have to deal with a bar full of people. With a long list of cocktails and drinks to serve between one or more bartenders, nothing more.

Sometimes the bartender will also have to face moments of fatigue. Especially when he has to work long hours for several days in a row. In addition, sometimes the bartender will come across situations where a fight can happen during his shift.

Bartenders will need the ability to control his emotions and deal with the situation without getting too involved. Finding that balance is sometimes difficult. However, if it is possible to do so if you are well prepared to work under pressure.

It is hard to bartend emotional control intelligence

Many bartenders for hire are very likely to lose their cool if someone is insulting them or being obnoxious. This is not something that a good bartender should ever do.  They should only defend themselves if physical aggression happens.

It goes without saying that this is not an easy task. As human beings we always tend to defend ourselves when we are being attacked or someone insults us. However, develop this skill is more than essential.

This is the moment when emotional intelligence makes its way into the situation. This helps the bartender see things clearly. If they have a high level of emotional intelligence. They will always see things without taking them personally. They won’t let their ego or their pride get in the way of their profession.

It takes a little practice and experience to develop this skill. Like everything in life, we learn on a daily basis. Over time, we become experts not only in what we do. Also in the way in which we control emotions intelligently and sometimes even analytically.  Most people simply don’t have the emotional control needed in order to be able to handle the daily challenges of bartending.

Some people have other plans

Many bartenders keep working in this profession only for a while. Some are studying something else and meanwhile they are working as a bartender. Even to help them pay for their studies. However, there are others who end up dedicating themselves to this full time. They take as the profession they want to carry out their whole life.

In both cases, whether temporary or permanent, the bartender has to be prepared. This does not mean that you have to study a course to be a bartender. If you could do it but as we already know it is not mandatory, it is mostly optional.

When we talk about what the bartender must be prepared, it was related to the two fundamental elements of the profession. Knowing how to prepare all the cocktails, drinks, liquors, wines, beers, combinations, mixes, as well as the elements of the bar.

You also have to prepare yourself mentally and physically for long hours of work. You have to learn to organize your time, manage stress, interact with all kinds of customers, resolve conflicts, etc. They should practice and educate himself to know all these practical elements in advance.

The consistency in emotional control is the most intimidating part of bartending

Any bartender that has to work at crowded bars or parties day after day knows that drunk people who are rude and difficult are always part of a job. This is so common that only rarely a bartender will report a night with no rude people at the bar.

This is why the professional bartender needs to be like a cold-blooded commando. That that does not worry about any kind of rude or difficult person. A great bartender is like a soldier that stays cool even when bullets are raining down from all angles. This is essential when you are working behind the bar. Or at a private party, in a Mega event or in a Restaurant. Because difficult situations are always going to present themselves.

The bartender has to learn to control his emotions, especially when he has to face a violent or annoying customer. That is why in these cases, the novice bartender may find it difficult at first to handle these types of situations and attitudes, but it is all a matter of practice and experience.

The most experienced bartenders are much more prepared to face this type of situation, they know what to do, how to talk to customers and even what actions to take in case the situation gets out of control, because sometimes, even if they don’t want to, the bartender has to go further and intervene in some way in the difficult situation that is being presented.

How does one achieve emotional intelligence?

The funny thing about emotional intelligence is that the process is very simple. However, the ability to consistently handle your emotions can be quite challenging. The best way to do it is by learning how to identify your own boundaries. After learning your triggers, you can mentally diffuse a situation before it boils inside you.

That is why knowing yourself, your limitations, defects and virtues is fundamental in every bartender, since in this way you will be able to know how you are going to react to different situations and if this reaction could be negative, start mentally training to face them in a positive way.

You can also learn to control your anger and your impulse by practicing meditation. This is an excellent way for you to learn to relax your thoughts and to collect yourself when you feel you are losing control.

This is a difficult process, but once a person masters this aspect of their life, they will become much stronger in every possible way. The bartender that is able to reach that kind of emotional control is always going to be at the very top of the bartending ranks.

Therefore, putting meditation into practice, even practicing yoga can also be useful. Also, watching some videos or reading books about emotional control. Or about ways of treating different types of customers. This can all be very useful.

The combination of learning the emotional side such as meditation. The knowledge of soft skills and how to apply emotional control at all times, will achieve that as a bartender, you will be able to handle all these situations in the best way possible.

Questions and Answers

Final thoughts

While bartending can be an amazingly rewarding experience for those who matter the art of mixing and serving drinks, it will only become a stable and reliable job for those who are also masters of their emotions. Remember that bartend emotional control intelligence is essential.