What It's Really Like To Work In Bars
I worked in bars, lounges, and restaurants for years since I was a teenager. As a young adult I started working more in bars because tip money always made it worth my time. In my experience there is so much that needs to be done to protect workers more who work in bars. They need to crack down and refuse service more often to those who drink too much. Altough it's law to do this it's not done enough. I've been abused by customers. I've even had to appear in court. I've been sexually assulted. Yet I kept going back because the tip money paid my bills because I was only receiving minimum wage. I was young I was a full time student raising a child on my own. That's how that industry trapped me. Tips.
That's why I get upset at people who are rude to servers because I know the kind of shit those girls have to deal with everyday. Yet their age or experience at that time can't get them a job that pays what they need to pay. Some girls have to pay for school or have young kids or are a single parent. Yet they go to work and get abused by strangers who can't hold their liquor. People who don't know how to behave while they are drinking. It effects your servers.
The very first time I was assulted was during a knife fight between two patrons. One of the men were covered in their own blood and took his bloody hand and smeared it across my chest. Touching my breasts. Flicking blood at us. That should have been enough to make me quit but I didn't. The tips kept me coming back. I had to even appear in court for that. I remember going home and just holding my child tight and thanking god I didn't die. Crying because I felt I didn't have any other skills. That this is what I have to do to support them.
My last bar job. I actually had gotten my certificates in serving alcohol responsibly by that time. My co worker however did not follow it. We had no actual bouncers. I had cut this one customer off. He was causing trouble. Brought him a water because he asked.He was much larger then me. He got up and hit me in the face when I brought it. I was absolutely horrified. I still worked all night. I didn't get home until about 6am. I had to stay up the whole day to take care of my child and go to school. I had to go to the hospital after work. I was so emotional that day. That was the very last time I was assulted at work. I quit the next day. That was the last string pulled. I put up with it for years.
My advice for everyone who wants to go out and drink is to know your limits. Don't abuse your servers. Just because they don't work some office job doesn't mean they are any less valuable. It's not as easy as people think it is. It's a very high stress job and you don't get paid enough to deal with that much stress.
So yes they forgot your drink or messed up your order. Think of this bullshit. Nobody should have to be abused at work in anyway. Not by the employer. Not by the customers. Just because your a customer doesn't make it okay to treat the workers like shit. People who are customers need to step back and think. Is this how I would treat a stranger sober?
My advice for people working in bars is don't let them get under your skin too much. Reconize when to cut customers off. Talk to your employer about making it safer for you. Making sure there bouncers or security. Don't be afraid to stand your ground if you're being abused. Don't let them walk over you like I did. I put up with it for years and years and really I should have made a stand at the beginning. I thought this was how bars are. I've since seen better bars that don't have those problems as much and it's a much better environment. Some places are getting better. However if your one of the unlucky ones, work to make a better environment for you self and Co workers. Or do what I did when I had enough and simply just quit. Your always going to be good at something but it doesn't mean you sell yourself short by letting yourself be abused for it. Talk to your friends about how they treat servers even. Share it.
