Matthew Steeples suggests the public should be politer to serving staff
On Friday, I did my first (and probably last) ever stint as a barman. Though I’m known to enjoy a drink and am often told I make a great G&T and even a passable Negroni, it was the experience of how serving staff are treated and spoken to that was a revelation to me.
Whilst several people I offered a glass of wine or beer to were polite, a surprisingly high number showed little to no respect to the person serving them. From one or two I just got remarks like “more, more, more” and “give me” – in spite of providing especially full glasses – but from one I got a glare, a point at a bottle and a demand of: “Just f***ing pour”.
Others clicked their fingers and many didn’t say even a simple thank you but one, a gypsy I was later told, surprised. He thrust a ten pound note into my hand and remarked: “I saw how impolite this lot were so thank you”. My evening was made but now, may I respectfully remind readers, it’s time to be politer to those that serve us.
You’ve aged an awful lot since we had lunch at La Brasserie,a couple of weeks ago Matthew!??
Interesting. In my early 20ts I used to click my fingers (more patient now). I never fancied a stint as a bartender; I liked the other side too much! But we should be more polite I agree. Afterall, if they all left who would pour our drinks?!