Hospitality workers, particularly bartenders, often witness the less dignified side of human behavior, a trend that some say has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to industry professionals, patrons exhibit a range of unhygienic and unusual actions, even in upscale establishments.
Daniel Yeom, a sommelier who has worked in bars and restaurants in California and New York, suggests that a "manners deficit" emerged post-COVID, replacing pre-pandemic hygiene awareness. "I think people genuinely forgot how to behave post-COVID," Yeom stated. He observed that this decline in decorum is not exclusive to casual bars, noting that "Diner behavior is not better at fancier spots," and in some cases, "the entitlement is even worse at really expensive spots."
One commonly cited issue involves patrons interfering with bar stations. Bartenders report people reaching into garnish bins for snacks, with Yeom emphasizing, "Get your goddamn fingers off my garnishes." Others have encountered guests directly touching or even tasting drinks being prepared. Bianca Declet Bauzó, a bartender from San Juan, Puerto Rico, recounted an incident where a guest put their finger into a mixing glass, mistaking it for their cocktail. When confronted, the guest became irate, asserting ownership of the drink they had paid for.
Improper disposal of chewing gum and other waste is another frequent complaint. Declet Bauzó has found gum in shot glasses, on the rims of drinking glasses, and even on chair backrests. She advises using napkins or trash cans for disposal, rather than leaving items like gum or used Band-Aids on surfaces.
Bodily fluids also present challenges for bar staff. While accidental vomiting can occur, Declet Bauzó urges patrons to use toilets rather than sinks. "I know the toilet is disgusting, but over-drinking was your choice," she said, highlighting the unsanitary conditions left when sinks are contaminated.
Beyond unhygienic practices, some customer actions are simply perplexing. Allison Wnuk, a Connecticut-based bartender, described a patron who ominously told a co-worker, "I know your secret," before later being observed drinking half-and-half directly from a pitcher at their table. Declet Bauzó also shared a baffling experience where an entire toilet seat was stolen from the establishment, leaving staff to question the logistics and audacity of such an act.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing behaviors reported is "The Pooper," a term used by Heather Rush, co-owner of Pine Box Rock Shop in Brooklyn, to describe a patron who defecated on the floor of a bar bathroom. Rush, who encountered this during her early bartending career in Manhattan, found it particularly unsettling that the individual could blend in with other patrons, making them impossible to identify. "The true horror is knowing that The Pooper could be anyone. The culprit walks among us," Rush reflected.