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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- 57/m: Love beer, but it doesn’t love me as much anymore
- No Stupid Questions Wednesday – ask anything about beer
- Does anyone else get treated like a beer snob for ordering literally anything that isn’t a macro lager?
- Is there a polite way to refuse a beer that’s being served in the wrong glassware without making everyone at the table uncomfortable?
- # What’s the most pretentious thing you’ve ever said about beer that you secretly didn’t understand yourself?
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The Art of Tipping: Should Bartender Expertise Affect Your Gratuity?
Last night, I visited a new bar and ordered a Belgian gueuze, anticipating the usual mispronunciations. To my surprise, the bartender confidently pronounced it as “the guhz is excellent” without skipping a beat. She then proceeded to delve into the intricate wild fermentation process and even suggested the perfect cheese pairing without me having to ask. I found myself taken aback, as it’s rare to encounter bartenders who both know their product and serve it with finesse. Often, they either shy away from the name entirely or stumble through their interpretation while pouring from whichever clean glass is available.
In the end, I decided to tip a generous 30% as a testament to her impressive knowledge and skill. However, it got me thinking: Is there an informal guideline for tipping based on a bartender’s expertise? Should we consider their familiarity with the drinks on offer when deciding how much to leave? Is there a special scale for proper pronunciation and product knowledge?
When you meet a bartender who genuinely understands the beverages they serve, rather than merely reciting from the menu, what is the appropriate way to acknowledge their expertise? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, and how did it influence your tipping decision? Let’s discuss the nuances of tipping and whether a bartender’s knowledge should come into play.