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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: How Bartender Expertise Influences Gratuity Choices
Recently, I visited a trendy new bar and ordered a Belgian gueuze, fully prepared to hear it pronounced in a way that would make any beer enthusiast cringe. To my pleasant surprise, the bartender confidently pronounced it “the guhz” and proceeded to share some fascinating insights about the wild fermentation process. She even suggested a delightful cheese pairing without me having to ask!
In a moment of stunned appreciation, I realized that this bartender was a cut above the rest. Many tend to play it safe by either steering clear of the complicated names or mispronouncing them while serving. But here was someone who not only knew her stuff but also genuinely engaged with her craft.
Feeling truly impressed, I left a 30% tip as a token of my admiration. However, this experience sparked a thought: is there an unwritten rule regarding how much to tip based on a bartender’s expertise? Does their knowledge of craft beer and its proper pronunciation translate into tipping expectations?
It appears that when we encounter bartenders who are well-versed in the beverages they serve, it often enhances our overall experience, leading us to consider higher gratuities. It raises the question of whether there should be a scale for tipping that reflects a bartender’s expertise, or if such distinctions already exist within the unwritten rules of tipping culture.
In essence, when you find a bartender who not only knows their craft but also shares that passion with patrons, it’s worth rewarding their knowledge with a little extra. After all, creating a memorable experience is part of what dining out—or in this case, enjoying a fine beer—is all about. So, the next time you’re impressed by a bartender’s knowledge, don’t hesitate to reflect that in your tip. After all, great service deserves to be recognized and appreciated!