The bartender's job
The bartender as a profession is not a normal job that can happen to be done but a real vocation. Dealing with many different people by social background, culture and let's face it "status" is a very complicated thing. He requires a lot of learning and a good dose of natural talent to allow him to develop the profession in the best possible way. If you are young and have been attracted by the acrobatic performances of barmen in some trendy club, do not be fooled into taking this path. It is just one of the many forms of expression of being behind a counter. The work that must be done in hotels, bar-restaurants, golf club houses and many other types of bars
does not require and / or do not accept these externalizations but a conscious, moderate and organized approach to the management of a bar. "old school" bartender is said. The one who tries to satisfy the customer in his requests by making him feel at home, that is, pampering all those people, who by their choice have entered the room where I work (as owner or employee it makes no difference) and consequently allow me to obtain an economic result.
Seriousness, preparation, sensitivity, discretion are some of the important characteristics that a trained professional must have.
I had read years ago that a professional bartender must be a good "shoulder" for the customer. He has to behave like a billiards side. The customer conducts the game according to his mood and the bartender responds appropriately along the same lines as the customer sets. Just like a pool table answering how the ball was played. We have never seen a side lead the game. In the end, after the customer has consumed, chatted, even relaxed and leaves, the barman has to swallow all the possible confidences received, just like the pool table that swallows the marble does.
We must welcome customers as if we had invited them to our home, since the place where we are working is our home. We will always keep it neat and tidy down to the last detail, to make it welcoming and soothing, just like our home. Our appearance must also be very refined, elegant but sober, in line with the place.
In these pages, in addition to some basic notions, which can however, in more detail, be found in the various very valid publications on the market, I will explain my point of view on the movements and behaviors to keep referring above all to the petty psychology to be used in our work.
In this regard, I can say that I have found very few publications that dealt with the more psychological part of the work.
The reason why I am building this guide is due to the fact that in many years of work I have never been able to find a student to whom I can transmit my love for this profession and also logically the knowledge and experience acquired over many years. I never noticed in the eyes of the various collaborators I met the same "hunger" to learn and "steal" the job as it was in his time in my intentions. With this I will try to convey some important details to those who are really interested even if I have not had the good fortune to know.
In addition to the writings and images there will also be videos to aid understanding.
I am not a writer and I may not be able to correctly express what I am dealing with and I ask you to forgive me for any shortcomings.
With your collaboration I will also be able to build videos on specific request or discuss topics that are particularly close to your heart. Write to me without fear, I will reply as soon as possible. I only ask you, if you like these pages, to offer me a coffee to see all the videos I have prepared and to give me the necessary inputs to understand what I am doing (with a lot of effort) one thing that interests you. Thanks in advance for your comments.
However, I strongly recommend (for those who are really interested in this profession) to take courses run by professional organizations. The actual experience of following a course is really important for learning. I recommend the AIBES courses as it is an association of professionals in this sector and has existed in Italy since 1949, with accredited teachers for teaching.
An online course can be a good compendium and a help but, alone, it is not enough to train a professional in the full sense of the word.
However, it can give a very clear idea of what the job will be as a whole and help you choose whether to continue with the learning or leave and dedicate yourself to something more suited to your personality.
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