| Bartenders find themselves in the same customer | | | | and you will realize that your customers will treat you |
| service situations time and time again. While bartending | | | | differently. You will be projecting a more mature, |
| experience is the only way to develop confidence and | | | | professional image. |
| presence behind the bar, there are some shortcuts for | | | | When your customers view you as a professional, not |
| the new bartender. These sayings can be used to | | | | only will your tips increase but so will the |
| dramatically increase your professional image and your | | | | acknowledgements of a job well done. I like to call |
| tips. | | | | these acknowledgments, "verbal gratuities." Your |
| The Open | | | | customer will give you a compliment. It is now your job |
| When customers approach your bar, please do not | | | | to turn that verbal gratuity into an actual monetary |
| use the term "you guys." As a manager and a | | | | gratuity. One easy way to ruin a verbal gratuity is to |
| customer nothing drives me crazier than the phrase | | | | say "No Problem." Again the connotation is negative |
| "Hi, how are you guys doing tonight?" It's too informal | | | | and off putting. Of course it wasn't a problem, it was |
| and comes off not only relaxed, but not smart. (I'm | | | | your job. Some in the service industry have realized |
| being kind here.) | | | | how negative "No Problem" can sound and have |
| Try this new phrase instead. "Hi, ladies and gentlemen, | | | | begun using the correct "You Welcome." While this |
| what can I do for you this evening?" The phrases | | | | phrase is acceptable, remember that we are trying to |
| "ladies", "gentlemen" and "ladies and gentlemen," | | | | turn that verbal tip into a monetary one and now is not |
| depending on the make up of the group, are a 1000% | | | | the time to shortchange your customer. Answer with |
| improvement on "you guys." Also, instead of asking | | | | a simple "My Pleasure." |
| how they are doing you are asking what you can do | | | | When you first start to use "My Pleasure" it may feel |
| for them. This is more to the point and will limit the | | | | a little cheesy but the more you do it, the better it feels. |
| uncomfortable silences when someone tells you just | | | | Alternately use "Absolutely, anytime" if it helps you to |
| how bad there day has been. You don't actually want | | | | get comfortable with "my pleasure." I have witnessed |
| to know how they are doing, so please don't ask. | | | | tips skyrocket in restaurants and bars when the staff |
| The Apology | | | | makes a commitment to using the term "my pleasure." |
| Often in the bar industry a customer has to wait | | | | Think about how simple it is to replace two words and |
| before you can properly give them service. Always | | | | use "my pleasure" instead. When we implemented this |
| acknowledge a customer as quickly as possible. A | | | | at a private club where I worked, tips increased 120% |
| simple hello or "one moment please" will suffice but go | | | | and stayed at the level. It wasn't a short term spike |
| out of your way to let them know that you are aware | | | | just when we started. It was permanent. I was blown |
| that they are waiting. When it becomes their turn for | | | | away. I know the exact number of the increase |
| service do not use the standard "Sorry to keep you | | | | because all tips were signed onto the checks at this |
| waiting." It denotes that it is your fault and puts | | | | private club, no cash. I was in charge of distributing the |
| customers in a negative state of mind. Instead try to | | | | tips. It was unbelievable. |
| use the phrase "Thank you for your patience, what | | | | In conclusion, the simple act of changing a few phrases |
| can I do for you?" Instead of apologizing for something | | | | can dramatically increase your tips. Try these new |
| that isn't your fault you thank the customer for waiting. | | | | ways to say the same old thing. If you are a new |
| The term "thank you" as opposed to "sorry" is much | | | | bartender these simple tips will greatly improve your |
| more positive and will help to put the customer in a | | | | image behind the bar. Think of some other phrases |
| positive frame of mind. This simple and subtle change | | | | you use on a daily, if not hourly basis. Could you be |
| will give you more confidence and presence behind the | | | | saying these better too? |
| bar. It will help to improve the overall "feel" and | | | | Not only will your tips and image improve but you will |
| atmosphere at your bar. People will know they are | | | | also have a better bartending experience. Bartending is |
| dealing with a professional and will tip accordingly. | | | | always more fun when the customers respect you, |
| Acknowledging Thanks | | | | give you compliments and tip well. You can achieve all |
| When you speak in the above manner your are | | | | three of these goals by simply changing your |
| showing your patrons the utmost respect. It takes | | | | vocabulary. Good Luck. |
| giving respect in order to get it back. Speak this way | | | | |