What is a bartender? Simple question, simple answer, right? He... or she, (we better not discriminate in this modern culture of hypersensitivity) is that friendly, or sometimes not-so-friendly fellow or miss who mixes, builds, pours and slings drinks across the bar for your pleasure and entertainment, as you casually wind down your night after a hard days work, go out to enjoy a ball-game with your buddies, or God-forbid, have to put up with the antics and window-shattering decibel-level of your traveling bachelorette party... Well, while that fits the main job description... That's only a very small part of it. I myself have taken this job on as my chosen profession for several decades now, and I can assure you that it requires many other skills that compliment and enhance that simple understanding of the many other qualities required to not only competently, but exceptionally perform that duty. So if you don't mind the TLDR version of my little take on these other skills, please sit back, pour a drink, smoke 'em if you got 'em, and have a little read. Psychology: Being a bartender means being able to also understand and empathize with people on a personal level. And discuss personal issues they may be having should they choose to bring them up. And when alcohol is involved, they most certainly will be looking to you for advice. It's important to be empathetic, but also impartial. This is key to maintaining a professional demeanor, but also not alienating a person who is obviously struggling with personal issues. Situational Awareness: In a busy environment it's easy to be distracted by all of the activity going on. Which can lead to slipping up on the job. It's important to always scan the bar. Even when we're mopping up a spill, or chatting-up a regular. But it's crucial in recognizing changing social dynamics and crucial, environmental mood changes that could escalate if not spotted before they do. Diplomacy: One of the most important skills a good bartender also possesses, is the ability to deescalate a volatile situation before it goes nuclear. Or being able to recognize if someone might be reaching his, or her (again we don't want to offend) consumption limit. The ability of a bartender to hone the art of negotiating conflict resolution without being aggressive is crucial for maintaining order among the herd. This is a skill that requires a certain temperament most people don't possess. Going back to the earlier skill mentioned, psychology. Psychology again also is a major factor in this as well. Since sometimes we encounter people who are just simply incorrigible. But if you can "Jedi Mind Trick" a belligerent asshole into moving on, you're a "Jedi Master... It's practically an art. Knowledge of Multiple Topics: Being well-versed on multiple topics-of-interest people who frequent bars typically discuss is crucial in maintaining a comfortable atmosphere. We always need to keep up-to-date on sports. Final scores, stats, player performance, and all of that other stupid shit involving sports that I personally don't care about. (Outside of golf and hockey, that's honestly my personally weakest point on the job). Politics (though not typically recommended, and should be deflected at first opportunity), history, music, and current pop entertainment. This helps us maintain conversational flow if the discussion starts to wane. Maintaining Good-Standing Within The Community: In my personal opinion, this is the most important... As a bartender, we're some of the most recognizable and regularly interacted with people in our communities. We associate regularly with people across multiple socioeconomic and professional dynamics. Everyone from law-enforcement, working class blue collars, young professionals, old executives, traveling tourists and troubled townies. And it's important to know and get along with all of them. Because when dealing with all of these clashing personality types, it's very important to know that there will always be someone to have your back should you need it. Now the catalyst for me writing this long-winded post was inspired by a regular who came into my lodge the other night. And we were talking for a while, after which he said... "You know, you're obviously a pretty intelligent guy. You're clearly capable of doing anything you want beyond being a bartender. So why do you do this?" Now, where most people may have taken offense to that, and I know and respect this person to whom I'm referencing, and I also know he meant no disrespect, it got me thinking about all of the qualities outside of the public perception of "just a bartender"... And the the career bartender clearly is capable of being more than a bartender. Because they already do all of those other things. We just do them on our own terms...