For anyone who is a bartender or is friends with one, Do you prefer when customers talk to you or do you prefer the silence?

8 comments

1. They prefer to have a chat.

2. Depends on the situation. Packed bar and in the weeds? No chatting, maybe a few quips.

   Time to talk and no need to do side work? I’ll have a chat in between clients.

3. I always used to like chatty customers as long as they were polite and funny. If you’re a rude, loud arsehole I don’t have any time for you.

   Same as quiet drinkers, you just want to get pissed on your own? Fair play, you aren’t bothering anyone.

4. Read the room. If it’s busy and they are rushing about order and gtfo. If it’s quiet and they’re looking bored chat away.

   Ask their name, introduce yourself if you’re sat at the bar and then they can drive the convo. If it’s a resto and a bar, be aware they may be making floor drinks too even if the bar is quiet.

   When I bar tended, I’d say my interest in convo was directly related to how interesting the convo was, much like any other normal encounter. Some people are boring AF, others can make a story about a sandwich into a stand-up skit.

5. They like when you sit at the bar and tell them how you’ve seen the drinks they’re making, made different at other bars. Or better yet, how much better the drinks are somewhere else.

6. Depends on the situation. I’m being paid to complete orders and entertain. If I’m super busy and a mother fucker wants to tell me the life story I’m annoyed. If it’s slow I relish those conversations. Or do you mean to each other. Silence in a bar is depressing.

7. From what I know, it completely depends on the customer and overall atmosphere of the bar

8. Used to be a bartender. When it’s super busy, please give me your order and wait. When it’s not that bad, or when I’ve finished getting everyone their round, sure, let’s chat.