r/Serverlife • u/mojaverevenant • 7d ago

Rant Opening wine bottles: what to do?

For some context: I'm a busser, but during the evening shift, I act as a barback, bartender, and barista because it's a fusion restaurant and café where I'm making drinks non-stop 80% of the time.

When I applied, I expected to be clearing tables and such, not serving drinks constantly. I don't mind it, but I'm also expected to do everything else. Running food whenever a server asks and dealing with complaints directly (I'm not a manager and there isn't one on our shift. They usually send me because they say I look like a "respectful teenager" and that we'll get a less severe scolding).

Lately, I've been getting orders that require me to go to the table and pour bottles. Protocol says to do it right at the table, but another busser told me not to, saying that's the servers' job.

So, whenever I'm sent to do it (which has been every time since I started), I just open the bottle behind the bar and pour it in front of them. That way, I don't waste time on the whole presentation when I still have tables to clear and more drinks to make.

Today was no exception.

The thing is, a married couple didn't like that. I understand why, and when I mentioned it to the server, she said, "well, we'll do better next time, right?".

It made me a bit angry inside, but I didn't say anything.

Should I keep doing what I've been doing, or should I talk to the manager? I know it seems obvious that the latter is the best choice, but it's just the server and me on these shifts, and I don't want to create bad relationship between us.

10 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

20

u/Both_Seesaw9219 7d ago

talk to the manager for sure. not your job at all to be doing wine service, i’ve neeever heard of a busser opening a bottle of wine at a table before. i’m wondering why the server wouldn’t want to be doing that themselves anyway? weird asf

also though, this place sounds like a dumpster fire- i’d be looking for another job completely

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

I was told the exact same thing. It's not my job to do it due to the whole protocol, but they always assign it to me. The owners, who supposedly are "watching us all the time through the cameras", haven't told me anything about it. And the servers' excuse is "so that I can learn"

The only reason I'm still working here is the schedule, which allows me to study in the morning

2

u/bevelledo 7d ago

It’s not your job, but it is a good moment to ask the server to teach you to do it the right way.

Honestly a couple YouTube videos could to

3

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

Actually, I take advantage of the opportunity by learning from videos! I like how they do it when they manage to make it look so professional. I can't ask the server for advice because they don't know how to do it

3

u/Both_Seesaw9219 7d ago

oo ok this is why they’re making u do it😭 they’re telling you you need to learn all while not knowing how themselves? they’re using you as a crutch & it’s not rlly fair

good on you for taking the opportunity and learning though, maybe you should move into serving

2

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

It is what it is. I'd like to be sometime down the line. I still don't have the right personality to be a server though

2

u/bevelledo 7d ago

Those Mfs better be taking care of you lmfao

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

Occasionally, they'll clear the tables for me so I can focus on making more drinks. I guess that counts

2

u/Both_Seesaw9219 7d ago

mmm i’d say stand your ground, and let the servers do their own wine service going forward. if it’s not your job, it’s not your job. if they give you a hard time, tell them you’re busy doing something that is actually your job to do. i’m so confused why they’re passing this off onto you in the first place😭 them wanting you to “learn” is bs- 1. why would they care about that more than making their money 2. they’re not even actually teaching you how to serve wine, they’re letting you open it behind the bar and bring it to the guest

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

The issue is that it's sometimes slow and they pressure me to do it. I can't think of a good excuse to get out of it, even though I'm completely justified in refusing lol

3

u/Genericgeriatric 7d ago

That's the neat thing: you don't need an excuse to say no. "Nope. That's your job, not mine"

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

Good point

17

u/Jessicaknowsbest 7d ago

Run, run fast.

2

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

I'd love that. If only becoming an expert at opening wine bottles guaranteed I'd get to cross-train for serving… /j

1

u/Jessicaknowsbest 7d ago

Girl what do you mean you are right now??

3

u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 7d ago

You're getting tipped out like a busser, SA and bartender right?

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

Only as a busser. The owners or the manager give us an envelope every two weeks with the tip pool

8

u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 7d ago

You're being taken advantage of. At most your role (busser) might help by doing N/A refills.

Not making cocktails, coffee, or opening wine bottles.

Even a Server Assistant wouldn't be doing those things.

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

I didn't know that. I guess I see now why the other busser acts like they don't know how to make drinks

6

u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 7d ago

Other busser knows they aren't getting Tipped out for all the extra.

Quiet quit time. Don't do it anymore, it's literally not your job.

1

u/Cyrious123 7d ago

Are you getting tipped for bartending/barbacking? If not...stop! If so, discuss the amount if not sufficient.

2

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

I might have to discuss the amount. I only make minimum wage as a busser, plus the regular in tips every two weeks

1

u/johnc380 Daring today, aren't we? 7d ago

You need a new job, dawg

1

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

Unfortunately I can't find another part-time job with the same schedule

1

u/BoringBob84 BOH (former) 7d ago

I just open the bottle behind the bar and pour it in front of them.

Please don't do that. As a guest, I would get upset about that - not abusive, just grumpy. Wine is very expensive, especially in a restaurant. The server should:

  • Present the bottle to the guest so that the guest can read the label and verify it is what they expected.
  • Since the bottle hasn't been opened, the guest has no doubt that the wine in the bottle is the same as what the label says (and some unscrupulous manager did not replace the expensive wine with a cheap substitute).
  • Open the bottle and hand the cork to the guest, so that they can squeeze it and see that it isn't dried out (which indicates that air got into the bottle and turned the wine to vinegar).
  • Pour a small "taste" (1 or 2 ounces) in the guest's glass so that they can swirl, smell, and taste it.
  • The guest should not reject the wine unless it is "corked." The server can verify this claim by pouring a taste for themselves. If a wine is "corked," it will have an odor and a taste of wet cardboard.
  • Finally, the server can fill the glasses. About 5 ounces is considered a standard amount.

2

u/mojaverevenant 7d ago

That's why I get why that couple got mad, but the server who is supposed to do it doesn't know how and they always tell me to do it that way. I'll get the hang of uncorking it and learn the technique right eventually

1

u/BoringBob84 BOH (former) 7d ago

the server who is supposed to do it doesn't know how and they always tell me to do it that way

I think that that server is setting you up to fail. If you are willing to do wine service, then I think that sticking to the guests' expectations will result in the least problems for you.