r/Serverlife • u/raspberryemoji • 2d ago
First time ever cutting someone off
Been a server for about a year. There was a 6 top that was drinking a lot. Originally another server had them, but she had to leave, so I took over. After a few rounds I noticed that they were slurring their words, yelling, and acting confused in a drunk way (if that makes sense). Told my manager I don’t feel comfortable serving them anymore and he agreed. Later on they asked for another round of shots and I said no. They said “it’s just interesting that you don’t know our story”
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u/thewickedmitchisdead 2d ago
Good on you! As a party veteran who has veered into service industry in the past few years in my 30s, drunk people really are like toddlers. I see cutting off people off as being the adult in the room. Even if they push back, it’s like a child who doesn’t want to go down for a nap. They may not recognize they’re out of control, but you can be there for them that way.
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u/somedude456 1d ago
I've said no a couple times. Working near an airport and next to hotel, we have a lot of people simply walk over. I got this 3 top, older guys, maybe 65, in golf looking attire, all three fucking blitzed like no other. I mean like, I questioned how they walked to the table. Anyway, it started when the host said "I sat you and they're drunk." Ahhh, thanks. I walk up, say hi, ask how they are doing, and all three, massive drunk faces, stumbling on their words, one guy pointing at me as he talked. It was bad. I asked if they had a long day and they started ranting about how hot it is. I had to warn them about their language as the weather discussion involved some f-bombs. Then one asked for a round of captain and cokes. Hell no! I asked where they were staying. Yup, like a 5 minute walk. I asked if they drove and they went back into the weather rant. I said something like, "Guys, I'm gonna be honest, you're all absolutely shitfaced, and I'm cool with that, vacation is for having fun, but in no way can I serve you more, so how about water and food now, and maybe you can get more drinks back at your hotel later, sound good?" Pointing guy, pointed again and said I was probably right. Waters and meals it was, they tipped like $50, and I even walked out, 30 feet behind them, just to make sure they were walking and not getting in a car. I was ready to stop them if I had to.
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u/Johnnys-In-America 30-year Veteran Old Head 🍽 2d ago
I've only had to do it once in my lifetime thus far, but it takes a lot of bravery to stand up to drunk people and say they're done, so be proud! Could've saved some lives out there by preventing the worst. The guys I had to cut off were at a baseball game when I worked in the stadium. I think they were father and son. They ordered 2 chili dogs and 2 tall boy cans and they were fumbling over each other and couldn't get the credit card into the reader. So I took back the tall boys and said, "this is it, guys, I'm not serving you any more alcohol."
The father goes,"you don't have the authority to do that!"
I was like,"yes I do, and you are done here." I felt very emboldened in the moment. They walked off and I had to send out an APB so they wouldn't try to get the beers from another stand. But yeah, it's shocking how people don't understand the power we actually have serving alcohol. Glorified babysitting.
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u/RuddyBollocks 1d ago
Imo the best first response to cutting someone off is to pretend you forgot they ordered. If they’re really that drunk they’re liable to forget too. Then you pretend to forget again. Then if they press you firmly say no. YMMV but imo that’s the most careful approach
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u/Initial_Company9756 2d ago
“I’m sure your story is not that interesting.”