154 / 198
THE BARTENDER'S FRIEND
pathetic and interested. You are selling service as well
as drinks.
22. When a customer tells you a "funny" story he just heard,
try to remember that you have "never heard it before,"
and laugh when it's finished. It pleases him. It costs you
nothing. Anyway, it's 999 chances out of 1,000 that you
have never before heard the story in the way he tells it.
23. Do not be too prominent before customers. Avoid ex
pressing opinions not asked for, particularly on politics
and religion. And even when you are asked, do not be too
positive in your opinion. You can be wrong. Bartenders
don't know everything, even though they hear it.
24. Do not enter into conversations between customers unless
you are addressed.
25. Do not decide arguments between customers if you can
possibly avoid it. If you have to (and you seldom do), be
tactful and perhaps you can decide that both sides are right
in some degree.
26. Keep your attention well divided between the various cus
tomers or groups at the bar. Do not allow one customer
or group to monopolize your attention and cause others
to feel that you are not interested in them.
27. Do not use foul or profane language. Customers who use
it generally like the exclusive privilege. Customers who
don't use it, do not like to hear it, and they may expect you
to stop others from using it in loud and boisterous tones.
You are hardly in a position to do so, if you are guilty of
the same offense yourself.
1^542