[thechat] Stocking the bar

[Erika Meyer]

  Isaac wrote:
>I disagree with that. From my (limited) experience, I'd say that some
>are there to spend, but the majority are just trying to appear socially
>competent.

I think there may be an age/culture issue here.  I was mostly dealing 
with serious alcoholics.

As a service worker, I prefer older people with money.  They know 
what they want, and are able to communicate it to you.

>I get people coming in who frantically look around the bar for something
>that doesn't sound too childish, too alco, too expensive, etc.

That sounds like youngsters.

>people, you're best off stepping forward and making suggestions.

They usually like it when you light something on fire.

>Especially when we get foreigners in (Spanish, Italian, Dutch, etc), I
>make a special point of giving tasters of the beers on offer so they can
>choose something they'll like.

I *heart* beer samplers.

>Annnyway, another group of people are those who are there to act in a
>social manner while spending/drinking as little as possible.

They are known as "Europeans."

>My favourite techniques for encouraging spending at the bar are to (a)
>call customers "lightweights" and taunt them into drinking more,

Excellent! Play on their insecurities. I see the advertising industry 
has taught you well.

>give them targets, like "only a few more and you'll have drunk us all
>out of Bud!"

Do they really drink Bud out there?
Then they should respond well if you light something on fire.

Alternatively, light something on fire, and then drop it into a pint of Bud.

At the bowling alley, a bartender became very popular by floating 151 
on cinnamon (red hot) schnapps, and lighting it on fire.  She made 
some name for it (flaming red hot?). It needs a beer back (bud)>

It was the stupidest thing I ever saw, but the frat boys loved it. 
They felt really special, like she'd created a drink especially for 
them.

To hell with them.  Give me an old alcoholic with wads of cash.

Erika
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