Bartenders' Responsibility Term Paper by Nicky

Argues that bartenders are not responsible for the actions of their patrons.
# 151159 | 1,662 words | 7 sources | MLA | 2012 | US
Published on May 24, 2012 in Psychology (Alcohol and Drugs)


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Description:

This paper argues against the emerging beliefs and legislation that states and communities should hold bartenders accountable for the behavior of their patrons. The paper describes the various roles of bartenders in addition to serving alcoholic beverages. Then, it points out various reasons why the bar tender should not be responsible for a patron's actions once he leaves the bar. Several newspaper editorials are cited which concur with this belief. Then, the paper cites the opinion of critics who feel bartenders do bear onus in situations involving accidents related to excessive drinking. The paper outlines what a bartender is responsible for, such as checking an ID. The paper concludes by stating that bartenders have a job to do, as do the police, and people should not confuse the two.

From the Paper:

"In many areas, courts are agreeing with the theory that bartenders are not accountable. In a case in Calgary Canada, a legal case against a bartender was dropped when the courts decided he was not responsible. An Alberta reporter writes, "Two years after a young Alberta woman died of alcohol poisoning after a night at the bar, the criminal charges against the man who served her have been dropped" (Zabjek). The bartender did have to pay a fine, which is not right, because the charges were dropped. Ultimately, the woman drank far too much, but she and her family were responsible for that. Her family should have taught her the danger of drinking too much, and she should have had the common sense to know when to stop. Dieing of alcohol poisoning means she drank an incredible amount of liquor, not just "drunk," but far over the line. She drank herself to death, and the bartender could have no way of knowing what her tolerance was or how much she consumed. Often, more than one server or bartender serves patrons, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to keep up with what patrons are consuming."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Buka, Stephen L., and Isolde J. Birdthistle. "Long-Term Effects of a Community-Wide Alcohol Server Training Intervention." Journal of Studies on Alcohol 60.1 (1999): 27.
  • Caprione, Carol Ann. Opportunities in Food Service Careers. Revised ed. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2000.
  • Editors. "County Attorney Unfair to Bar Owners." Seacoastonline.com. 2009. 30 Oct. 2009.<http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091023-OPINION-910230379>.
  • Lindquist, Julie. A Place to Stand: Politics and Persuasion in a Working-Class Bar. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
  • Selley, Chris. "Whose Fault is it That You Got Drunk?" NationalPost.com. 2009. 30 Oct. 2009.<http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/17/chris-selley-whose-fault-is-it-that-you-got-drunk.aspx#ixzz0VRTDXmta>.

Cite this Term Paper:

APA Format

Bartenders' Responsibility (2012, May 24) Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/bartenders-responsibility-151159/

MLA Format

"Bartenders' Responsibility" 24 May 2012. Web. 25 September. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/bartenders-responsibility-151159/>

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