Taking the Glasses Back

I know that, for the most part, the days are gone when you take your glass back to the bar and the staff refill it with "same again".  I assume it's mostly a hygiene thing - if you're filling a glass and the spout goes inside the glass then there's definitely an issue with whatever is left in that glass.

Personally I like a new glass simply because the beer pours and looks nicer in a clean one.  Even more reason if it's a different beer (caveat:  we don't do this at home but we might 'rinse' the glass with a small quantity of the new beer - obviously drinking the dregs)

OK, so we're not asking for refills but I still insist on taking empty glasses back to the bar - when fetching fresh drinks, and if at all feasible, when we leave.

I don't know when it started but it's become almost an obsession.

I've never worked in a bar - but I spent several years, as a teenager,  in a weekend job being a chambermaid and occasionally waiting at table - christ, people treat hospitality staff appallingly.

When we went to lunch with brother and sister-in-law we had a discussion about it.  As we all went to leave, I picked up the glasses to return to the bar and my brother followed suit but my sister-in-law expressed surprise. This also happens when I go out with the other directors of our organisation.  I suspect that people feel slightly shamed if I clear the table so they join in.  I'm sorry if it makes people feel like that -  but it won't stop me doing it.

I watched, in the Barley Mow, yesterday evening, two blokes take up two tables with their glasses, elbows, food and stuff - seemingly indifferent to people looking for a place to sit.  Yes, I'm afraid I did judge them.

I don't honestly know what my real motivation is for doing this.  I know how much I hate arriving at a pub where the only seats are next to a table covered in glasses - who wants to sit with other people's dirty glasses around?  So part of it is helping to make an environment pleasant for other people.

But it's more than just that - I've always found it quite difficult to be "waited on", by anyone.  There is a story of me behaving very awkwardly in a five-star hotel that we were staying in for a wedding.  We were shown to our room by a - actually I have no idea what that job role is called - called Simon.  He went to take my bag for me and I said "no, that's OK..." but he sweetly and gently insisted.  Walking up the stairs, with him behind carrying the luggage still made me feel supremely uncomfortable.

Bar work is skilled - especially if you're also looking after beer, as well as serving it.  Returning glasses to the bar is not skilled and, OK, it might be considered part of the job, but don't we all appreciate it when someone shows us a bit of help?  I dunno, it might be an irritating trait - and I'm sorry to all bar staff if it is - but I think I'm beyond changing now.

To all bar staff everywhere - I know it's coming into "holy crap this pub is full of people who have no idea how to be in a pub" season of goodwill etc - good luck all!