37 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)
View submission: I am someone who doesn’t drink.
Honest question, and this will sound harsh, but do you ever feel off put by making money off people that are probably addicted to alcohol?
I only question this because I have alcohol paraphernalia and play in a band in a genre of music that very much encourages alcohol consumption, and im questioning if I, as somebody starting my path to quitting alcohol and truly understanding the dangers of alcohol, should be wearing things as such that only promote the subconscious pull towards alcohol for those that struggle
Comment by Beneficial-Horse8503 at 02/02/2025 at 16:46 UTC
87 upvotes, 6 direct replies
That is a great question and yes I do! I was a drinker when I started in the hospitality industry 25 years ago and it steadily got worse. I was the manager of the bar I worked at when COVID happened and long story short, the sold me the bar (the owners) with everything in it for $10. I stopped drinking about 5 months ago, but my lease is not up until 2027. I’ve been working to transition the space to more of an event venue and gathering space with a big list of non alcoholic offerings. We definitely put people over profits and do not over serve. We also donate a portion of our profits to different charities each month. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s the best I can do in the circumstances that I’m in and I’m working toward my exit when my contractual obligations are up.
Comment by SweetAlpacaLove at 02/02/2025 at 16:51 UTC*
43 upvotes, 3 direct replies
I’ll answer for me as a sober bartender. It does weigh on me a little and I am trying to get out of the industry. But what prevents me from feeling like a total POS is the fact that me quitting wouldn’t prevent anybody from drinking. It’s not like I’m one of the only dealers in town of this dangerous drug. I would be replaced by another bartender at my place and there are 4 other places within 500ft of us where people could get alcohol too.
Also, I know there are many other bartenders who aren’t as responsible as I am about it. I will not over serve and try my best to prevent drunk driving. And the person who replaces may not care as much.
Lastly, everybody’s decision to drink is their own. This is something I had to accept when I got sober. One can blame enablers or trauma or genetics all they want, and those are factors that stacked the deck against them, but ultimately we all have free will. So I don’t push the stuff, I’m not a bartender that tries to get people to drink more just to get a better tip, but if somebody wants alcohol, I’m not going to stand in their way, that’s their call. And if they want helping stopping, I will offer that as well.
Comment by Impressive-Drag6506 at 02/02/2025 at 18:37 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If the world was to start over alcohol would be banned globally. It is after all liquid Xanax. Hits the same receptors. But empires and industries have been built around this drug. To take it away would be to see livelihoods ruined. But you make valid point. It is a necessary evil now though.