Hey guys!
It’s that time of year! That time when everybody stops and reflects for the the past year and thinking about the next one, in hoping of a better year.
Myself, I find this thing to be a bit out of the park but I blame that on the society that made us the way we are. Instead of being grateful for what we have accomplished in the past year, even if it was in small steps, we want more! We want better and we want it now! Let me tell you something about this thing: there is no now!
Everything that was great in the world was made in time. Think of the Eiffel Tower, The Great Pyramids, etc. If we relate to bar tending, our most recent sad news is about Mr. Joe Gilmore, who recently made his cross over and choose to make cocktails for the blessed ones! Look at him! At his progress! 
Did he became a great bartender over night? Did he became a Savoy legend by just snapping his fingers? Of course not. Nobody did! He worked and worked his way off and after a big period of time he became what will be remembered of him: the one who connected the past with the present. At least in bar tending terms...
Speaking of bar tending, I see a lot of debating regarding one particular topic and that is trends! Everyone is taking a guess and talking about what will be the next big thing and I stay and wonder: do we really need it? What is this fuss all about? Is there necessary to stay and lose our focus in this time and discuss about trends? Or we should gather our forces and try to give our guests a phenomenal experience? We are in the holiday season, after all!
Back to trends. What are in fact the trends in bartending and who are responsible for establishing them? Are the trends here to stay or are they just passing along?
For me, when thinking about trends I have 2 very important questions:
- Are they useful?
- Can and will they change the world into a better place?
If the answer is no for both questions, then what you have can be pretty much resumed in two words: bull s**t! (sorry for the feinted hearts around here)
Why bother making something that will draw a lot of your time and energy if the result is inconclusive? Why invest money and effort into a trend that won’t help anyone? Why?
To get a proper answer for this one I think it is simple: just take a look into the mirror and you will see why! Because you want this to be about you! You, you and you! Not your guests! Because when thinking of something like developing a ’’new trend’’ your first thought should at your guests, and let’s be honest, how many of us really think it that way?
Someone said earlier last year that the next big trend should be ’’hospitality’’! I totally agree but the thing is that you cannot achieve this. Hospitality is something that we all have inside but few of us manage to find it! This should be something that we strive for and we should be able to manage it for the good of our fellowship guests and colleagues.
Myself, I am a very simple guy that likes a good host. If you are a good host and afterwards you know how to mix some drinks than you are my kind of guy!
I am for sure unable to set up a trend and as far as I know I can’t even convince my cats to drink their water, but instead I have a theory. That I think it could improve ourselves as bartenders and hosts.
The theory isn’t mine, I have borrowed it from Criminology (go figure) and I think it could apply in bartending as well!
This is called ’’The Broken Windows’’ theory and it was a big success in New York in the late 80’s.
It was developed by two scientists, James Q. Wilson and George W. Killing and was described like this:
„ Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break 
into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.
Or consider a pavement. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of refuse from take-out restaurants there or even break into cars.”
It is a pretty interesting theory and numerous experiments were concluded and the results were simply amazing! See for yourself here!
How does this relate to bar tending?
Bare on me for a while. You see, after reading over and over this theory I realized that the details are the ones that are making the differences! The small things that we often forget about are the ones that really matter, so instead of trying to become a great bartender or a great host behind the bar take this small list into consideration:
* do you always greet your guests and colleagues with a smile?
* do you always help your guests and colleagues?
* do you always talk with people with an open heart?
* do you always want to make the best drinks for your guests?
* do you always say „please” and „thank you” ?
* do you work your ass off every time?
* do you put everything away that could mean a loss of focus when you bar tend?
* do you always clean your station?
* do you always clean your bar?
* do you always clean your place?
* do you always come to work on time?
* do you want to share all your bar knowledge all the time with the rest of people?
* do you want to make bar tending a better environment for everyone?
The list could go on and on but I think you got the basic idea. If you're answers are yes to most of the questions, you are on the right track. If not, keep trying and never give up!
So, in conclusion, do you want to be big? Do you wannt to be famous?
Then start up with this list!
Cheers,
Mihai
