Successful bartenders today have to be skilled and knowledgeable in a wide variety of ways. They must know hygiene rules governing public drinking places; know how to mix all the various kinds of drinks that may be ordered; manage the till and money efficiently; have the necessary people skills to meet individual and group needs to maintain reasonable service and order; know the laws for excessive drinking and under-age drinking; manage large crowds of customers; solve problems when they arise; keep the tables and drinking areas clean; deal with customer concerns and complaints; manage additional services as necessary, such as the gambling areas and menus from the kitchen; work as part of a team with other staff members and many other responsibilities and expectations such as being interrupted to provide directions to some place; and knowing the latest news, gossip and sport results.

While bartenders need training in all of these areas of responsibility, this book addresses one particular area ~ people skills and preventing problem behavior. Some have said that successful bartenders have one thing in common- they have great tact in dealing with people. While some bartenders are naturals, others need to work at it to learn these essential people skills.