Nothing is worse than the overinflated ego of a bartender who thinks he is better than his trade. This time, the loveable whingers Lemon Squeezer and Likely Ladd* lament the rise of this toxic trait.
Lemon Squeezer : I'm really struggling with the egos of a lot of so-called hospitality professionals
lately, Likely Ladd.
Likely Ladd: How so, Lemon Squeezer?
LS: Well for example the other day, I had one of the young fellas we’ve been bringing on since he was a teenager fresh out of school, complain to me he was over serving customers!
LL : Giving them too much service?
LS: No, he was over it, as in was above that now!
LL : Whether we are bartenders, trainers, operators, brand ambassadors, magazine editors or bar backs, we all need to remember we answer to the customer, right?
LS: It seems to be a void many are falling into nowadays, Likely Ladd. Taking themselves too seriously looking down upon the customers, yet fundamentally behaving worse than them in the first place, less we forget hospitality is about people’s entertainment and leisure hey?
LL : Maybe they should all take five minutes and remember how many worse jobs there are out there than what we do, most of these guys and girls have done worse jobs in their lives. How about feeding back our industry with a smile and a little less ego?
LS: Let’s face it, a lot of our self declared experts have learnt their trade not by hard years of graft but by reading and absorbing the books of those that spent hard years grafting to learn our craft, so deep in their souls they just don’t get it.
LL : Are you saying they are charlatans? Flamboyant deceivers?
LS: Oh, I don’t know that may be a bit strong, it would be unfair to say some of them were flamboyant at all.
LL : Talking of forgetting you have a great job, I had the privilege of hanging out with a group of interstate trainers the other night, all nice guys in their own right. Yet, as a group they stand around cackling like a bunch of old hens feeding off each other’s egos. Making fun of the people they have come to train, so lost in the sound of their own voice they don’t even see the irony in what they are doing.
LS: They have been elevated to the trusted position of teacher, the most respected position in any society. There is a certain amount of humility and respect that should come with such a role, is there not?
LL : Oh I know those guys, so self absorbed, they just have to tell you their opinion. They believe we truly cannot get by in our lives without them sharing it with us.
LS: Is it an ego? Or just a mask for lack of self confidence?
LL : Do you still remember the first time you served a customer? The realisation of being behind a bar, it’s like being on stage, it feels as if everyone is watching you.
LS: Isn’t the feeling still the same when you’ve had a busy night running yourself ragged making sure all the customers are having a great time? That feeling of a job well done when the customers thank you for a great night out, when they leave happy at the end of the evening.
LL : What does hospitality mean? Isn’t it to be friendly, welcoming and offer generous treatment to others?
LS: Sometimes you’ve just got to have the self confidence to know when to shut up.
LL : The meek they say shall inherit the earth, if that’s ok with you?
LS: Well, I’m not saying we have to go that far but a little less ego and a little more humility wouldn’t do any harm, would it now?
* Lemon Squeezer is a London bartender who has lived in Australia for 12 years bartending, and Likely Ladd is a brand ambassador based in the southern capital. Names have been changed.
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