1900 Harry Johnsons Bartenders Manual (Mixellany)

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of house kept and the prices charged. Show to your patrons that you are a man of sense and humanity, and endeavor to do only what is right and just by refusing to sell anything either to intoxicated or dis- orderly persons, or to minors. If you think a customer is about spending money for a beverage, when it is pos- sible that he or his family needs the cash for some other, more useful purpose, it would be best to give him advice rather than the drink, for which he has asked, and send him home with an extra quarter, in- stead of taking the dime for the drink from him. The customers will then respect you as a gentleman and a business man. No one should make distinctions be- tween patrons on account of their appearance. As long as they behave like gentlemen, they should be treated as such. Therefore, all customers, whether rich or poor, should be served alike, not only in the same respectful manner, but with the same quality of goods; not keeping a special bottle for rich people, and an in- ferior grade for poorer persons, unless you have be- fore you one who prefers quantity to quality? In ob- serving these rules, you will build up a reputation as a first-class business man who acts with correct prin- ciples, and you will find it safe and easy to succeed. But there is a way of spoiling your customers, and that is by offering too much or by treating too often. This latter fault is especially the case with many on open- ing a new place of business. It is always the wisest to give your customers all they are entitled to, but no more.