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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:51:15
So I need a part-time job. Bartending seems like fairly good money. However, I don't know if I have the personality for it. How can I know? I'm rather shy and always feel odd around people.
I ordered a training booklet with supplies for bartenders. Maybe I should return it for a refund, I don't know. I'm wondering if it's worth it to learn all the stuff in the book if I would hate bartending.
I wish my social awkwardness wasn't such a handicap, damn. But I gotta be realistic....
Thoughts anyone?
Posted by messadivoce on March 5, 2005, at 2:34:51
In reply to Help me figure out if I could be a bartender, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:51:15
I think to be a bartender you really have to know how to deal with people...when I waitressed, the bartenders where I worked were the kind who could keep people at the bar drinking all night...it's a money thing. The bar manager spent all his time yacking with people at the bar so he was never there when we needed him. It's like being an actor, really. You gotta make like you love everyone there so they will buy more drinks.
And I'm a terrible waitress, BTW. I hate people after awhile, and I don't think the customer is always right. They should just shut up and eat. ;-)
Posted by rainbowbrite on March 5, 2005, at 13:03:57
In reply to Help me figure out if I could be a bartender, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:51:15
It may be great for you. Being around people all the time might help you with your people skills. And you may have an amazing time doing it.
That is unless you really don't enjoy being around people. In that case I would probably nix the idea.
Posted by Phil on March 5, 2005, at 13:38:05
In reply to Help me figure out if I could be a bartender, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:51:15
PhoenixGirl
As you develop confidence in your bartending skills it makes it much easier to be around people cause you're good at what you do.
You will learn an awful lot about the good and bad in people. It would be one helluva ride.
Maybe do some acting and 'belly' up to the bar somewhere and chat up the help.
I did my share of time at the bar but was always too blitzed to chat much. I think you would be half therapist and half bartender. It could be good. Tough call. Maybe you could work a few nights at a bar for free(really). Tell them you are considering a career change.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Jeez, I can't write a short post today. : )Phil
Posted by TamaraJ on March 5, 2005, at 14:04:49
In reply to Help me figure out if I could be a bartender, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:51:15
It can be a good way to make money, there is no doubt about it. I have always been very shy (less now that I am bit older) and, like you, felt odd around people (mostly strangers and people I did not know very, very well). I bartended for a while. But, I was a "service" bartender at a small italian bistro. That meant that I mostly dealt with the wait staff and the occassional customers that sat at the bar when no tables were available. I also waitressed for at the same restaurant after a while working as a bartender. It was nerve-wracking at first, but once I got used to it, I found my shyness subsiding a bit. I would say that if you are looking for a way to try to overcome or manage social phobia, it can be a step in the right direction (kind of a baptism by fire approach). If it is something that you want to pursue, you might want to start as a service bartender. That way you could get your feet wet and ease your way into a bartending job where you would have more direct and constant interaction with customers.
It can be a lot of fun, particularly if you end up working with a good group of people who like to socialize after hours.
Good luck to you.
Tamara
> So I need a part-time job. Bartending seems like fairly good money. However, I don't know if I have the personality for it. How can I know? I'm rather shy and always feel odd around people.
> I ordered a training booklet with supplies for bartenders. Maybe I should return it for a refund, I don't know. I'm wondering if it's worth it to learn all the stuff in the book if I would hate bartending.
> I wish my social awkwardness wasn't such a handicap, damn. But I gotta be realistic....
> Thoughts anyone?
Posted by alexandra_k on March 6, 2005, at 19:07:29
In reply to Help me figure out if I could be a bartender, posted by PhoenixGirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:51:15
Social awkwardness... Hmm... I am socially awkward. I just loved working in a library part time. Have you thought of that? The pay isn't that great. But sometimes they will pay for you to do courses etc (at least they do over here). I know someone who started out in cataloguing and now she teaches the Science students how to use the databases. Which ones are the best, how to conduct efficient searches etc etc. She had to do a couple years of courses to learn how to do that though...
Just a thought.
How loud can you go 'sssssssh!!!!!'?
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