Zen Bartender: The Lost Art of Karma Tipping

Oh No! He’s Rambling Again!

This weekend I enjoyed the beautiful Summer Sun at Hotel & Casino Morongo in California as I celebrated one of my good friend’s bachelor party. Needless to say, I drank too much! But there was a point in the night where I got really philosophical…you know that drunken state: you analyze and question everything and give new perspective and meaning to mundane things…ya well I go there often!

Well, when it came time to pay my bartender (BTW: it was GREAT being on the other side of the bar for a change!!) I made sure he was taken care of…I mean REALLY taken care of!! WHY?!

Why is it that the best tippers are those that have had experience in the service industry where they had to survive on the gratuities left by others? There are lots of reasons of course: there is a mutual understanding as well as a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into a server or bartender’s daily routine, but I’ve got a new reason…

Why YOU should take care of your BARTENDER!

Ok, maybe I was drunk and having a great time, but I came up with a little something I like to call KARMA TIPPING! It’s the whole principle of “Give and You Shall Receive!” I know you are familiar with it in every other situation, by why not tipping? In a nutshell:

Tip Well and Take Care of Your Bartender, and it will come back around tenfold!

I Don’t Believe That James! You’re Crazy!

You’re right, I am crazy! But I would like to believe that if I take care of my bartender, I will be taken care of by my future customers! And at the very least, I do feel good when I have been rather “generous” at the end of the night.

But don’t get me wrong…your bartender/server must deserve the tip you are giving them. Poor service begets poor tips (and vice versa!)

So Today’s Lesson (I’ve Got Two!)

1. The obvious one: When you go out, tip well! Do it because it feels good and because you expect to be treated the same way. But remember, when you are going out, you are not trying to save money, you are looking to be entertained…that costs money! If you want to SAVE: stay home and buy a 6 pack!!

2. Ok, here is another great lesson…as a bartender, you always strive on improving your “skill.” (whatever that means!) But either way, people label bartenders as “good” or “bad” and you NEVER want the latter! So, if you are working in a bar 4-6 nights a week, or performing private events every weekend, it is always great to take a step back for a moment and sit in your customers shoes (alternate: “…or sit on your customers stool”) In other words, make sure you are going out! What do YOUR bartenders do that you enjoy, and more importantly, what do they do that pisses you off?! What can you bring back to your bartending “skill-set” so you can worry less about being “bad” and concentrate more on being the best!

See! I Told You!

If I weren’t so hungover, you’d think I were drunk…because this is what happens when alcohol touches these lips: I get all deep and analytical. I’m like a drunk Buddha! Anyway, take if for what its worth, but consider both of my lessons and ALWAYS strive to be the BEST!

To your Bartending Success,

James Wedmore
Bartend-4-Profit
www.BartenderforProfit.com