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Tipping Etiquette: How Knowledge and Passion of Bartenders Impact Your Gratuity

Last night, I ventured into a new bar and ordered a Belgian gueuze, fully expecting the name to be butchered as usual. To my pleasant surprise, the bartender greeted me with a confident “the guhz is excellent,” showcasing not only her ability to pronounce it correctly but also a clear familiarity with the drink itself. She went on to explain the wild fermentation process and even suggested a perfect cheese pairing, all without me needing to prompt her.

I found myself in a state of mild shock. Most bartenders either steer clear of attempting the name altogether or boldly mispronounce it while pouring from the tap. However, this bartender demonstrated both knowledge and passion, serving the gueuze with precision and care.

Given my admiration for her expertise and the enjoyable experience, I left a generous tip of 30%. However, it got me thinking: is there an unwritten guideline for how much to tip based on a bartender’s knowledge of what they’re serving? Should the correct pronunciation of a drink influence our gratuity?

As a consumer, it’s clear that when you encounter a bartender who takes the time to understand and articulate their offerings, it can significantly elevate your experience. So, how do you approach tipping in these situations? Do you adjust your tip based on their drink knowledge, or perhaps a sliding scale for correct pronunciation? I’d love to hear how others handle this nuance of bartending and tipping etiquette. Your experiences could really shed light on whether we should reward those who show exceptional skill and knowledge behind the bar!