Holidays behind the bar...

... just thought I'd post a couple tips for anyone caught working today or any other holidays. If you are justing starting out at a place you're almost definitely going to end up working these days. This is because for the most part it is a fact that older more established 'tenders choose to forego the following major perk I will discuss in lieu of having the day off.

Their loss.

Holiday hours are shorter, more concentrated and potentially exponentially more profitable than a regular shift. The regulars who come in are going to be glad you're open, glad that you are there for them to hang with, and often particularly more generous because of the fact that you appear to have drawn the short straw and are working instead of with your family.

Tell them no different.

And really, why would you? No matter how much you love your job I'm sure you'd rather have the day off, family or not. So let them tip you in that half-tip/half-gift type fashion that the holidays this time of year brings.

Also, even though more concentrated, you probably will not have that much business until the later part of the evening, so it gives you good time to get to know your regulars better and maybe even make some new ones while you are at it. I've had some pretty good conversations while behind the bar on Thanksgiving and Christmas, with people who have become more akin to friends to me than 'customers'. You may even see regulars who usually don't talk or come in at different times form bonds and this essentially, while not only making new 'clicks' who have your back, will often bring regulars in more often and at different times the rest of the year. Every time a good-tipping regular comes in it's potential money in your pocket and good times, so the more they come, the better.

And really, chances are no matter what your shift you will have time before or after to have a bit of a holiday.