Sometimes I Just Forget Myself...

So tonight, one of our regulars comes in, the same guy who always orders his usual drink and complains about how bad everyone's job is except his own... And as he starts his routine, I catch myself grinning back at him like we're best buddies or something. It's crazy because sometimes I forget that I'm the bartender here and not one of those fancy servers who can just smile politely without really engaging. But then there are nights where all my walls go up, and I just want to give everyone the cold shoulder... It's a weird switch between being warm and welcoming versus wanting some space for myself. Must be why they pay me the big bucks...