>
> Here is my question: Is tending still a profession for most of the
> people behind a bar, or is it something to do until the parties get
> old or something better comes along?
>
Little chance for me to become a proffesional some time. To bad for my health
and to little money.
And money is the answer to the next question.
> If tending is no longer a profession for most tenders, why do you
> think that is?
It won't change for the places were the bartender is not the key for succes.
Go back to the places where you found bad service. Ever wondered why they
still have many guests. Maybe there are more important factors than good
service alone for people to like a certain place.
Add to this that most people don't mind drinking cheap beers and wine which
doesn't need a lot of skill to serve. Most complains you talk about are I
guess about stuff which most people don't mind. You ask 'what percentage of
bartenders view tending as a profession?'. My answer 'the same as the
percentage of people that want a beerglass served with the brandlogo pointing
to them'.
A bartender does need certain qualities and you can't learn them but you are
born with them. Personality is what makes a bartender. You don't have to be
educated to become a bartender. Because of this bartending is not seen as a
skillfull job and pays little money. I think your country has the most of the
few places were you can do bartending for a (decent) living. Did you found a
place to work yet?