How can a bartender identify a customer who may be overserved?

A bartender can identify a customer who may be overserved by observing slowed reactions and erratic behavior. When a person has consumed too much alcohol, their motor skills, cognitive functions, and overall coordination tend to deteriorate. This can manifest as delayed responses to simple questions, difficulty in maintaining balance, slurred speech, or making uncharacteristically unpredictable decisions. These signs are critical for bartenders to recognize, as they indicate the potential need to stop serving that customer further alcohol to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

While cheerful demeanor and quick speech might suggest that someone is having a good time, these traits do not directly indicate intoxication and can be typical behavior for many people. Increased ordering of food may suggest that a customer is attempting to mitigate the effects of alcohol, rather than indicating that they are overserved. Excessive tipping could be a sign of appreciation for good service or a social habit, but it does not reliably correlate with a customer’s level of intoxication. Recognizing the signs of slowed reactions and erratic behavior enables bartenders to take proactive measures, such as offering water or encouraging the customer to switch to a non-alcoholic beverage.