From JD With Love - Getting Served

JD posted the below comment (on the 'You. Yes, you.' post), expanding further on the best way to get served, which I thought deserves a bit more prominence as it's excellent advice written from the staff point of view.

I think that, based on this, we can all agree that we look forward to her posting more in her own right in the future:

Here I would like to add a few little pointers from the bar staff’s point of view.

1) DO NOT wave your money at me.

It will mean that you wait much longer to get served, or (if I was the only person serving) you wouldn't get served at all. Trust me...I've done it, and I tell all the other staff not to serve you.

Its RUDE. And it’s COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE.

2) If you’re waiting to be served, or the member of bar staff is about to serve you, DO NOT explain how long you've been waiting.

The chances are you have been waiting as much, or less, time than everyone else waiting at the bar. By telling the bar staff how long you've been waiting you’re simply making a bad situation worse. Lets face it, no-one wants to wait for a drink....its a pub....you’re not there to hang about without a drink. However, at times it happens so deal with it. If you are waiting it’s likely that the bar staff are not overly happy themselves as no doubt the bar is busy thus they will be running around like headless chickens, so be polite and courtesy and your drink will get to you much quicker and if you’re lucky you may also get a smile.


A little added extra....

What to do if you’re waiting for a drink when in fact the bar isn't busy and the bar staff are chatting. Whether its right or wrong, this happens, we are all human and frankly when you have that many women in that close proximity, its going to happen. So here's what you do:

1)Your best bet is if Gareth is working. It is more than likely that he is not partaking in the girly chat....and he will also be more than happy to tell everyone else to do some bloody work.

2) If it is just girls behind the bar then you still have to be polite (I know it’s our job to serve you but as I'm sure everyone is aware....no-one likes their job all the time).

If you know the name of the bar staff then simply call them (DON'T shout....just call), in this situation they will probably make a joke about the fact that they were busy chatting but they will obviously serve you happily.

If you do not know any of the bar staff's name then simply call out ‘excuse me’, or move to where you are visible. (Again I'm not saying this is right but unfortunately it is the case and I'm simply trying to help you!)


Things that you must NOT do are:

1) Signal that you are dying of thirst (ie. hold an invisible pint glass to your mouth and stick your tongue out) - its annoying, we know you would have most likely finished your drink all of 2 seconds before.

2) Scream at the top of your voice (this is only acceptable if you’re getting completely ignored and you have tried more polite approaches. Don't get me wrong its our job, but we are not slaves)

3) Stand there waving like you’re signalling a rescue boat to you in the middle of the sea....its not that bad....as I said before, I'm sure you won't have gone so long without a drink that you’re going to dehydrate.

Rant Over.