haveigotboozeforyou.com

The Etiquette of Tipping: How Bartender Expertise Influences Gratuity

Last night, I had the pleasure of visiting a new establishment that promised a remarkable selection of beverages. Among them was a Belgian gueuze, a flavor-packed beer that I anticipated would be subject to the usual butchered pronunciations. To my delight, the bartender confidently approached the challenge, pronouncing “gueuze” correctly as “the guhz” without a moment’s hesitation.

Not only did she nail the pronunciation, but she also began to share fascinating insights about the wild fermentation process behind the beer. To top it off, she even recommended a cheese pairing that perfectly complemented my choice, all without my prompting. I found myself in a state of pleasant surprise—so much so that I began to question my tipping practices.

Typically, I wouldn’t think twice about leaving a standard tip, but this unexpected display of knowledge and skill made me reconsider. I left a generous 30% gratuity out of sheer admiration for her expertise and attentiveness. However, this experience left me pondering whether there exists an unwritten tipping code that accounts for a bartender’s familiarity with the drinks they serve.

Is there a scale for how much knowledge influences the tip? Should one’s expertise, especially in situations where pronunciation and product knowledge are concerned, dictate the gratuity? After all, encountering a bartender who understands the intricacies of their craft—rather than simply reciting what’s on the menu—can transform a standard night out into a memorable experience.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar scenario? Do you adjust your tips based on a bartender’s expertise or ability to pronounce difficult drink names correctly? It seems there may be more to the art of tipping than we often consider, and moments like these certainly encourage us to acknowledge the skill and passion behind the bar.