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”.
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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.
Readers have their say
2 comments
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?!