Message 6786 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

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> So my question is, any tricks that could increase
> my efficiency, so the owner can't say I wasn't
> fast enough getting the drinks out? How do you all
> handle high volume/multitasking?

I've got 3 points here.

1. Until you do know where everything is, where every button is, how much it 
costs and what peculiar terminology the locals use to order it, nothing you 
read in a post here, a training manual or even a bar course will get you up to 
true speed. There is "site knowlege" in every location. Hopefully you can get 
that down in a few days. It is possible in a few hours, but only if you 
already know the right questions to ask - which means don't be shy about 
asking.

2. Genuine speed tips come from comfort, but also from really dedicated 
observation of both yourself and others. I can still catch myself thinking "I 
could have saved myself an extra trip to the fridge if I'd remembered to get 
the Red Bull at the same time as the milk". Most other stuff I'd be able to 
give you would depend on practical demonstrations of ambidextry etc, but what 
can be written I've written here. 
[Dan the Melon Man] Re: I NEED TO BE FASTER :( ? (or smarter)
As ever, I'm linking to myself, but you are expected to check out the rest of 
the thread for everyone elses version :-B

3. It sounds a little like what you need today is also a touch of "fudge 
factor". You need to not just be fast, but to look fast. Nothing wrong with 
that. Nothing wrong with looking busy. It keeps the energy levels up, it may 
make you more tips, it may also impress the boss, but I just do it because I 
hate to see a 'tender lounging behind the bar, even when there IS nothing to 
do. And I hate "changing gear" all night.
So: Make-work stuff.
Carry a towel at all times. Wipe everything, the bar as you are taking an 
order, the bench or beer tap as you are pouring.
Touch things, straighten things, tidy things.
Exaggerate your movements. Reach toward/point out your target customer. A deep 
lean forward as you take the order. A cartoon-like lean back before you move 
off to get stuff. A swirl in the air as you hand back the change. A Pit-stop 
hands in the air when you are done with the order. I like these moves in a 
tight bar because it telegraphs your next move to the server beside you, and 
they know which direction you're going next. (although it may not mesh with 
every bars rhythm)
- Note, none of this should even vaguely cut into your real working time - 
it's stuff you can do with that extra hand while doing something else.
 
To avoid looking shell-shocked or nervous, think about the order as you are 
taking it, and pause with _the_ customer at the end to think about it. 
Plan your moves, what you are grabbing in what order and where it is before 
you lean back to do so. While you are with the customer, any delays are their 
fault ;-P but when I see a trainee take an order, step back, run through it in 
their mind, hesitate, then start to move, I know it's a 
confidence/experience deficiency. You can cover this up by remaining with the 
customer until you know exactly what you are doing next. I often glance over 
my shoulder at the beer fridges as I'm taking the order just to fix in my mind 
the least number of doors I have to open (we have 8 full-height wall fridges)

I dance lots, but that's just me. An acceptable pose to throw is an instant of 
"quiet time". Stop, give yourself a 2-second Tai-Chi recentering with a deep 
breath, stretch, then snap back into it faster than ever. As well as being 
good for you, it sends the message, "I'm working damn hard, I am under stress 
but I'm dealing with it - I can handle it! Bring it on!" Being put under 
stress is not your fault - what you do with it is. It actually impresses the 
customers, or at least gives them a laugh, so I do it for fun.

Yes, these may be gimmicks to "look" better than you are, but I'd say that to 
a customer, you still look better and more professional. Assuming you are not 
doing a worse job than you could otherwise do, this added sheen is, well, a 
good thing. They feel like they are getting better service - hence they are.

You "quoted" "Fast" in your thread title, so these tips are indeed how to 
appear "Fast" . ;-D

.dan.