Was at my favorite local place last evening, listening to one of the bartenders. Part of the conversation was about the oil spill of course, then a few words about baseball. After that, came the news that one of the "regulars," someone who's there just about every night, stormed out the previous evening vowing he'd "NEVER come back."
The person in question is a retired businessman, he'd been a successful banker, and is also a confirmed bachelor. So, like many guy's who live alone, having a local place to hang out is very important. More than that, this particular place is perfect for him. The food's very good, the service is too, and beyond that, it's a sports bar. There's a whole line of TV's behind the bar, three of which are arrayed well within the scope of vision from his regular stool.
Having been a good college basketball player himself, and an avid golfer now, as well as a well-informed baseball fan, he feels quite at home in the bar because he practically lives there. When he arrives he generally asks whoever's behind the bar to tune in particular channels on those three nearest screens. And, that's what usually happens -ESPN goes on one, Mets or Yankees on another and the Golf Channel on the third. Except for last night.
There was another customer, certainly not one with any esteem, a complete stranger in fact, who was watching something or other on another station. It might not even have been sports. And that person objected to the channel change, saying he wanted to see the rest of his program. Then lo and behold, the bartender changed the station back to the stranger's station telling the true-blue resident regular that the outsider was right. He'd been there first. And that's what blew the lid off the resident's composure. He loudly stomped out, muttering and swearing under his breath because, in his opinion, he'd been not only been disobeyed, he'd been completely disrespected.
And that got me to thinking about why I get so much enjoyment from bars. Because what goes on are microcosms of the how the world works. All kinds of people come in and conduct themselves in all kinds of ways which is interesting in and of itself. But, the best people-persons in the world are the bartenders themselves. That's why my books are about them. Because they have to put up with everybody no matter, and they really can't ever win because when push comes to shove, the customer's always right.
Yet, in their own way the good ones always come out on top, because they control the flow of booze, the level of service and are in absolute control of the TV remotes. So, if you ever think you're a big shot, and start pushing bar-people around you're in for a comeuppance. Because, sooner or later you'll pay the price, it's just a matter of when. And you can take it from me, because I really know from experience, beyond all of their other talents and skills -they never forget.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
No comments:
Post a Comment