“Invisible, you treat me like I’m invisible”
I’ve no wish to start a “me too” post where you tell me your horror stories about being ignored at the bar (oh, go on then), but my mood didn’t improve at Totnes Pub No. 2 when I realised that Old Fat Bald Blokes are actually not noticeable to young bar staff in hipster towns, even when there’s no other customers.
The Bay Horse looks traditional, the sort of off-centre local you find in the back streets of Lewes or Hastings.
But the bare feel, arty paintings and jangly indie say “Proper Pub abandoned to wealthy hipsters”
I stood at the bar for five minutes while the other customer’s complex cocktail order was made up, and counted out the £2.10 for a half of local homebrew.
A group of beardies in cargo shorts came in, loudly, and started giggling like prats.
The barman turned to them and said “What you having?”
I shot the look that says “wtf?” which the landlord correctly interpreted as “I was here first and you know it”.
“Sorry mate, were you waiting?
No, I was just standing at the bar conspicuously NOT banking my change on the bar mate.
If it happened once a year I’d put it down to bad luck, but it happens every month, even when pubs are as quiet as this.
Just acknowledge my presence and I’m happy.
For the record, the New Lion Stout was lovely.
retiredmartin 
We used to call it a ‘caspar’ as in the ghost. Will now always make the point of saying “excuse me I was before them”. Gone are the days of bar management, more’s the pity.
LikeLike
It’s excusable in a busy Spoons but not when you were the only person at the bar but other folk are acting entitled.
Occasionally I get “oh I assumed you’d been served” or “you didn’t say anything” which really winds me up. Some bar staff have lost the ability to say “What can I get you”.
And if you read this blog you’ll know how often I praise our friendly bar staff. But Totnes was a shocker.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“It’s excusable in a busy Spoons” – No, Tim should spend some of his vast fortune on employing a few more barstaff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If they do address you, it’s usually to ask “Are you all right there?” 😠
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch, feel the heartfelt pain from here. Not sure you qualify as old though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
27 is the new old, Duncan.
Wonder how Simon gets on. Sure he’s ignored as well.
Spoons style cordoned queuing, there’s the answer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve noticed the other issue. Folks who have their back to the bar talking to their party and then go…I was next, when the bar person decides to serve me. As above bar management has gone.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, a very good point. If you’re not waiting to be served sit down.
It’s the absence of simple recognition I exist that grates.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Preferably, if you’re not waiting to be served *get away from the damned bar*.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe you shouldn’t go out in your dayglo pink BRAPA fan club t-shirt so often then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or my “tick my steam train” vest?
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I have to wait very long to even be acknowledged, I reach the point where I am no longer willing to reward the place with my money and I simply walk out and go somewhere else. That option is not available to a GBG ticker though, sadly!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m in this camp too.
There is no pub or bar on this planet good enough not to warrant walking out of if the service is crap.
I’ve done some pretty good flounces in my time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The wait always seems longer than it actually is, but seems shorter when you’re at least acknowledged by Landlord/barman/other customers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The default for almost all bar staff now is the dreaded “who’s next?”, abdicating all responsibility and putting the ball firmly in the court of a mixed bag of gentleman, hen parties, and utter bounders to be honest about it. At best it opens up the warm-hearted possibility of deferring to someone you know was first, or being deferred to, but there’s always the chance some check-shirted alpha male will metaphorically cut you up with his bright red Maserati. Keying the car isn’t even a option…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Form a line!
NB The places where I get no recognition are the ones which aren’t even busy.
LikeLike
Mark, especially when you were the only customer, and were joined after quite some wait by just a second, while the bar staff chatted.
LikeLike
While the bar staff chatted about what a great job it’d be if they didn’t keep getting disturbed by potential customers coming in and wanting a pint.
LikeLike
I’ll stick up for bar staff at this point, the young uns are polite and efficient most of the time.
I do just think old blokes become invisible and are expected to make a fuss if they’re not served.
LikeLike
Paul makes a good point on Spoon’s I like them but they need more staff actually serving….sizzling pubs are the same …open all day similar clientele not many staff
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paul’s always fair. I rarely wait more than 30 seconds in Spoons but of course if you mainly go to quiet pubs you never wait 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄
LikeLike
Martin,
Tim’s staff obviously take more notice of you than of me.
And I go in the mornings when Tim thinks there won’t be many customers so a couple of staff can cope and then there’s more wanting breakfasts and coffees than he predicted. Maybe I should just remember that at least it’s fourteen hours not fourteen minutes till last orders.
LikeLike