How to plan the best, first date

A First Date

The perfect date.  What is it and how do you know if you planned it correctly?

The first thing you need to do is KNOW who you are taking out on a date.  This may be easy but often times it is the first date you get to "know" the "exterior" of a person.  Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does your date like the outdoors vs. indoors?
2. Does your date like to talk?  I know this seems like an odd question because how do you get to know someone unless you talk, right?  Not so easy.
3. Does your date extroverted or introverted?  Extroverted is a person who is outgoing, friendly, generally likes a crowd where introverted people tend to be quiet and not be the center of attention.

Outdoors vs. Indoor dates:  If your date likes to rock climb, jog, play sports it is a good idea to take him/her on a date that they are comfortable doing....unless you are clearly the opposite.  You don't have to go ski diving but you will want to plan a date that is outside or active.  If they are athletic there is usually a basketball court in a park that you can join a game of pick up or just play one on one.  If your date prefers the indoors dinner and a movie is a great choice. 

Before you decide what you are doing ask yourself question #2:  Are they comfortable talking?  I have a hard time understanding "not talking" but there are some out there that are shy.  If your date is on the shy part don't put them on a date where a lot of talking is required....here the movie or a concert would be perfect.  If they like to talk going to dinner and a walk afterwards allows for the comfort of no crowds but the ability to have a conversation.

Extroverted vs. Introverted:  Should be simple right?  Extroverted goes to a Karaoke bar Introverted goes to a movie.  This is not always so simple as an extroverted person may be out-going around their comfort zone but introverted with a karaoke mike thrown in their face. 

If you know their friends....ASK!  If you don't know their friends, ask your date.  The best first date would be a date that is comfortable for both.  Ask him/her what they would like to do.  The usual response is "whatever is fine."  This is not the answer you accept.  This is a great time to get creative:  When you show up have three options and let them choose which one they would like. 

No matter what you do, no matter where you go ALWAYS be yourself NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THAT PERSON.  If you are yourself and you don't "click" on that first date you have not lost anything and you have gained a potential friend.  When you pretend to like "stuff" you don't really like it will eventually come out and it will happen at the worst time so be true to yourself.  One word of caution:  Never get drunk or drink "a bit too much."  You are responsible for their safety and fun.

The first date does not need to be romantic, expensive or outrageous....it just need to be.

I would love to hear from you about what your perfect date would be and what your best date has been. 

Please comment below

Like Jimmy's Tavern on Facebook.  More blogs on Jimmy's Tavern Facebook page (or click here) about how to flirt, bar etiquette and how to be served faster.  Great information on behavior.

Want to get served faster in a bar? Follow these steps

You walk up to the bar.  You wait.  You wait some more.  What the heck is the bartender doing anyway, I know he/she sees me.  Wait, I was here before that guy.  




Has this ever happened to you?  If so, you may need to read this and learn what YOU can do to get better service.  Remember, just because they are there to serve you doesn't mean you are worthy of being served.

1. Slamming your empty bottle or glass on the bar does not make you a favorite at a bar.  No one like a temper tantrum and whether you meant it that way or not...that's how it looks.  A good bartender will know you need another drink before YOU know so subtlety is the best approach.  
2. Raising your money over your head....the bartender doesn't think "wow a customer who finally has money, let me run right over."  Imagine your job, you are trying to complete it and someone is waving a pen at you.  All it is....is distracting and will delay getting your drink.  It may not look like they saw you but they do.  
3. When the bartender approaches you, know what you want to drink.  There is nothing worse than waiting five minutes for you to decide between the fuzzy navel and sex on the beach...the only difference is cranberry juice...either you want it or you don't.
4. Have your money ready before your drinks are....even if you don't know how much it is going to be.  Don't wait until they tell you how much it is before you pull your wallet out and if you really want good service don't turn to the guy next to you and talk to him while doing this.  
5. Don't expect to get free drinks.....no matter who you are or how much you spend.  If they don't own the bar they may not have the authority to give you a free drink.  Some bars have a strict policy on this.  Don't make the bartender, other customers and yourself uncomfortable with this expectation.
6. Had a drink at another bar and just "loved it" so you order it at another bar.  Don't get upset because it doesn't taste the same.  Each bartender is different.  If it doesn't taste like you remember ask the bartender nicely.  Good point to remember:  If you are somewhere and love how the drink was made...ask the bartender how it was made.  This allows you to tell the next one how you like it.  If you do it nicely bartenders will appreciate the new information.
7. Don't like something about the bar....don't complain to the bartender unless they own the place.  If the music is to loud....ask if they will turn it down, don't complain about it.  If the TV is on basketball and you want to watch golf....ask.  No one likes a complainer...so don't be one.  
8. Don't be a jerk.  A jerk fights, degrades other people, acts like they "own the place," demands service....I could go on with this list but you know them when you see them.  If you are a jerk NO ONE wants to be around you, especially the one who has to be.
9. Last call is NOT AN OPTION!  That drink that you want so bad.....why didn't you think about it 60 seconds ago?  Serving after 2:00 AM means BIG TROUBLE for the bar, the bar owner and the bartender.  If you are a "jerk" about this, trust me the bartender will remember you.
10. DON'T FORGET TO TIP!  I have said this before and I will say it again.....tips are part of their wages!  You could not live on their wages so don't expect them to.  If it is your first time tip big in the beginning.  Let them know you will take care of them if they take care of you.  If you are a regular it is NOT okay to not tip.  If you go to the bar every day and have three drinks....your personality, no matter how good, does not pay the bills.  If you can afford to go every day...you can afford to treat your bartender well.  

Hope this helps you get better service and helps all the bar staff out there.  One final note:  please remember that bartenders are HUMAN!  I know it's hard to grasp this thought but they are.  Even the best bartender will make mistakes.  They are often harder on themselves than you could ever be so DON'T MAKE IT WORSE. 

Good thought here:  "People may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel."  (Dr. Thomas L. Garthwaite)  Watch this video...this may not happen but the thought is there when you are a bad customer.

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The task of being a bartender

Anyone can pour a beer.....right? Anyone can mix a rum and coke...how hard can that be?




If it was that simple everyone would do it...and be broke. Being a bartender takes much more than just mixing, pouring and serving you drinks.

Walk into any bar and ask for a "Dirty Monkey" and you will see how difficult being a bartender is. It's the drinks that are rarely asked for, no one has heard of that separates the professional bartenders from the "just until something better comes along." I'm not saying that the professional bartenders are always going to know what a Dirty Monkey is but the good ones will look at you and say, "okay, you've stumped me...how do you make it." This is not a job you can "fake it till you make it" as there is nothing worse than ordering a drink and having something other than what you ordered served to you.

If you are one of these clients, you know the type (Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally), if you order an "uncommon" drink do yourself (and your bartender) a favor and confirm the ingredients in the drink.

Now for the hardest part of a bartender's job....listening to you.....do I dare say the word "complain" about your life, your job, your spouse or the guy at the end of the bar. More people "talk" to bartender's than Psychiatrists....one reason is they are cheaper. If you are one of these people who bend the ear of your bartender......remember to TIP THEM WELL, it's still cheaper than professional help.

The next time you find yourself in a bar take 10 minutes of your time there and watch how hard your bartender works, how much your bartender remembers of their customers and how difficult the job actually is.

Appreciation is appreciated by everyone. Show some to your bartender the next time you see them.

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Organizing a Night Out and understanding bar etiquette

Time to have a GREAT NIGHT OUT!!!

Okay, you want to go out.  You want to go with a group of friends.  Did you know there is bar etiquette?

Before the NIGHT OUT!!

First thing you need to know if YOU choose the bar, YOU are considered the host for the evening.

Okay, you know which bar you want to host your gathering at (Jimmy's Tavern of course).

• Make sure the bar knows ahead of time you are coming to assure the table(s) are set up to fit the number of people coming.
• Establish a designated driver before going to the bar!  In a earlier blog there was a link about how much you can drink....it would be wise to revisit that website.
• Now this one may be what keeps you from "organizing" the outing:  How is the tab going to be paid?  If it is a single tab....the host leaves their card with the bartender.  If it is individual tab the host still needs to leave their card with the bartender "just in case" someone forgets to pay the tab.  (Personally don't invite anyone who would do this).  IF you are planning individual tabs where everyone either pays their own or the bill is split equally PLEASE plan ahead of time....there is nothing worse for a bartender who has taken care of you all night to have to run multiple credit cards for one tab.
• Discuss with the party whether "rounds" will be purchased or each person will order when ready.  It is bad manners to buy rounds that would obligate another to reciprocate. 

While AT THE BAR

• Okay ladies....there was a time when it was expected that the man purchase your drink.  Want Women's liberation.....buy him a drink.  Please don't expect that the men at your table will pick up the tab...this will lead to hurt feelings if they don't.
• Men:  It is nice if you offer to pay for the first drink but do not insist....you don't want it to lead to any misconceptions of any expectations.  AND remember this:  if you offer to buy her a drink, it means ANY drink she wants...don't be upset if she drinks "top shelf."
•  Bartenders and Waitstaff are busy!  Don't request their attention until you know what you are ordering. 
• The words "THANK YOU" and "EXCUSE ME" will also work in the bar environment!!  Being in a bar does not excuse bad manners.
• Know your limits.  There is nothing worse than "the drunk of the group."  Yes going to a bar involves drinking....but if you get angry when you drink too much...don't drink too much.  If you get sad when you drink too much don't drink too much.  EVERYONE in the bar, not just the people in your group, want to enjoy being there.  Fights and tears are not part of having a good time.
• If you see your waitstaff or bartender leaving....settle the tab with them before they leave.  Most will not ask for fear of offending their customers but they deserve the tip they earned!!!

Now we come to tipping:  revisit the blog on tipping and don't be cheap!  Great tip (pun intended) tip well the first drink and you will receive better service....but don't forget to continue tipping throughout the night if you pay by the drink.

The bartender and waitstaff ARE NOT YOUR MOTHER.  Don't make a mess and leave a mess at your table.  It has never hurt anyone to clean up after themselves.

LAST CALL really does mean LAST CALL.  It is rude to ask for "just one more."  It is also rude to ask to stay past closing time.  It is against the law to serve you after hours so don't put the bar and the bar staff in that position.

Leaving the bar does not mean your job as the host is over.  Make sure no one has left anything at the bar AND make sure ALL women leave safely! 

Jimmy's Tavern on Facebook wish everyone a safe and great night out!!!

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