A good attitude is everything, not only in our daily life but also in our work. Especially if we have to interact with customers all the time. There are two elements that every human being possesses: Attitude and Aptitude. Attitude is the way you act and what you do and how you behave with others. Also how you face different situations that arise and aptitude are all your knowledge and education in general.
The right attitude is what separates the great ones from the bartenders that donโt reach the highest levels.
Both are important and necessary to develop in any professional. Including bartenders, but perhaps the attitude is the one that most influences this profession. Since the bartender has to be not only friendly, courteous, smiling and pleasant with customers. Also in addition, having fluent communication, knowing how to listen and being empathetic among other things. This is all part of the attitude of thick skin in bartending.
A great attitude means everything
Having a good attitude opens doors, allows you to access more jobs of all kinds, and above all, you will have loyal customers in every bar, restaurant, lounge or private event that you attend, because your attitude will make them feel comfortable with you.
The bartending profession is great, and gives someone the opportunity to earn full time or part time living. However, those who decide on bartending services, need to learn a specific set of skills for efficiency at their job.
Knowing how to mix drinks properly, adding some flair, and some attitude to the process is very important. The same goes for learning all the popular cocktails. Moreover, mastering the art of serving any drink that is officially available in bartending services.
These are all very important skills that people need to learn for bartending services. However, there is one skill that might be even more important for longevity. That skill is the power to develop a thick skin.
Of course, there are other skills that must be taken into account when working as a bartender, such as having a good memory, appropriate emotional control, knowing how to handle uncomfortable situations without losing kindness and courtesy, among others.
What does it mean to have thick skin in bartending?
This is a term that is used to refer to people who donโt let anything get to them unless they are in a seriously dangerous situation. People with thick skin have no problem handling someone who is being rude or even offensive.
The concept behind it is to learn to detach yourself from anything that is not happening at a personal level. For example, when someone at a bar yells at you, or asks you rudely for a drink. You could choose to take that personally. Moreover, to get offended. Or you simply brush it off as some stranger that has no idea who you are at all.
Of course, this is not an easy thing to do especially if the bartender does not have much practice. Since generally the most experienced bartenders are able to handle these situations in the best possible way and really appear calm and serenity before these situations, but it is something that you acquire over time.
This is the essence of having a thick skin. To let those things that donโt really matter slide. Once a bartender is able to do his job with this particular mindset. His profession is much more enjoyable. Therefore, he turns into a truly skilled bartender for hire that is above the average professional.
Because in reality, becoming a qualified and professional bartender is not just a matter of making delicious cocktails and some juggling with the bottles; It is also about being able to endure hours without sleep, sleepless nights, crowded bars, night fights and other circumstances that normally arise in places where bartenders normally work.
Rude people always come with the territory
It would actually be safe to say that only those bartenders that develop thick skin can be considered professionals. This is essential for any bartender because their job would be unbearably difficult if they never learned to detach things that are not personal and simply come with the territory.
Uncomfortable, annoying, rude people, and also people who normally gets drunk, are included in the work experience even if we do not want it to be like that. This is why a good attitude always helps but at the same time, knowing how to control feelings and The impulses is something that without a doubt every bartender must have.
Tips to develop thick skin in bartending
- Remember that drunk people are rude to anyone, and not just you
- Never let the words of an intoxicated stranger get to you unless they escalate to physical violence
- Consider the many negative effects of getting angry at rude people
- Remember that even rude people can end up becoming big tippers if you keep your cool. Therefore, show them that their anger is going to lead them nowhere.
We all want to achieve perfection, in our personal life as well as in our work. Everyone who is dedicated to bartending wants to become the perfect bartender. It is possible to be, however there is a long way to go. Since there is a lot to learn, new techniques, cocktails, ingredients and others, so we will give you some basic tips that will help improve your attitude when you are on your shift.
Tips for maintaining a good attitude while on a bartender’s work shift:
- Being creative is always one of the ways that bartenders can show a good attitude; since it is a way to show your customers that you care and that you are always innovating new cocktails or drinks for their pleasure.
- The smile is everything. Nobody wants to be served by a bartender with an ugly and serious face and much less with a bad attitude, that is why even if the bar is full, you are too busy and you have a very long line of customers ordering their drinks, it is important to maintain a friendly smile and the courtesy above all.
- Empathy is a fundamental part of having a good attitude, since being empathetic with your clients will make them feel that they can trust you and in this way they will most likely give you at the end of the night, a good few tips. Remember that being empathetic is putting yourself in the shoes of others; it is trying to understand your customers at all times.
- Part of a good attitude is feeling passion for what you do and that everyone around you, especially your customers , feel the same. When you are passionate about what you do, everything else comes in addition.
- Knowing how to treat all customers the same is also key when it comes to maintaining a good attitude, it does not matter if the customer only has one cocktail or 6, it does not matter if the customer does not talk or even is not friendly, there is to serve them all well, with a smile on their lips and trying to satisfy their needs and provide them with entertainment and the best drinks.
Questions and Answers
Both, because it is necessary to know so much about how to make cocktails. Among other things, but you also have to know how to express appropriately, being friendly, courteous and above all, know how to handle customers who enter the bar, no matter how you feel at the time, the good attitude will undoubtedly give you more tips.
Soft skills are extremely important to be applied in any job, especially because they are directly related to attitude. They are easy to put into practice, however, it is generally difficult for people to do so. They are essential when it comes to each person’s attitude.
It is not easy, but practice makes perfect. The more experience you have with different types of clients. The easier it will be for you to acquire a thick skin .As you will learn to better handle all the annoying, uncomfortable, angry, rude and impertinent clients.
It is easy in most cases but that will depend on each bartender, there are some who may not be as outgoing as others, and perhaps it will be more difficult for them to interact with customers, however, if it is possible to be friendly, courteous and smiling with clients, no matter how introverted you are, it’s all a matter of practice and experience that you acquire over time.
Final thoughts
There are several ways for people to look at their profession in the world of bartending. However, there is no way for a bartender to achieve the mastery of his job unless they develop a truly thick layer of skin. So, everything that comes his or her way is going to ricochet away.
A great bartender is also a Zen master of emotional coolness and party shakers offer that level of professionalism with thick skin in bartending.
Read more about how bartenders handle rude guests.
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