Pouring Too Much Rum Tonight
Anonymous Impish Wildcard #200 · General
I know I’m the only bartender who gets this self-absorbed about serving drinks at my workplace. I’ve been working here for three years, but tonight was particularly rough. We had a big event in the evening with lots of people from out of town celebrating a milestone birthday. The guest of honor is an older gentleman named David, and he’s a regular. He’s also not shy about his love for rum cocktails. I’ve always been careful to pour precise measurements and maintain my composure behind the bar. But tonight, after we were halfway through the night, I started feeling exhausted but also hyped up by the energy of everyone in the room. Then something happened: while making David’s usual rum concoction for him, I must have poured a little too much rum into it. It wasn’t just an extra splash, it was quite noticeable. I didn’t think he would notice at first because he usually downs his drinks quickly and orders another one before I even clean up the glass. But after about three rounds, David starts slurring his words more than usual and giggling uncontrollably. At some point, he actually stumbled a bit on his way to the bathroom. Afterwards, my co-workers gave me sideways glances and our manager pulled me aside to talk in private. He wasn’t angry but did remind me that I have a responsibility as a bartender not just to provide drinks but also to keep everyone safe and responsible. We both agreed it’s okay to pour strong cocktails if the customer wants them, but we need to ensure they’re aware of what they’re consuming. Now, three days later, I’m still grappling with this guilt. It’s strange because I know he enjoyed his night out regardless of my mistake, and I haven’t heard any complaints from David himself or other guests about him getting too drunk. But there is a nagging voice in the back of my head that keeps whispering: what if something bad had happened? What if someone got into an accident driving home? So here’s where I’m stuck, I’ve never gone overboard before and this feels out of character for me, which worries me more. Am I being overly sensitive about it or should I be more conscientious next time even when it means disappointing a regular customer? What do you all think?