Bartending - Holidays and sickdays

As we all know, when you normally work an 8-hour desk-job (or basically any other non-restaurant job) you have some days off. If you get sick, you take some time off, the shifts you have probably never changes in 24 hours of notice (or if they do, it's rare). You have vacation time on calendar holidays...

Probably have been said before, but still standing behind it: I couldn't imagine myself in a "40-hours in a week" kind of job with free time on weekends. Never. But after seeing some new faces on the restaurant business, I desided to write this piece. Also, these are few of the things that can tell whenever you are fit for a month versus making a living out of it. So, here we go.

Let's start with in sickness and in health. If it's not contagious (because you work face-to-face and with groceries) or if you have all your limbs together you're good to go. Or at least most of us don't want to quit. Why? With the payment we have, you do pretty short but exhausting (physically and mentally) hours, so it doesn't seem like a big deal. We want to do those hours too, working in a bar can sweep you out of your feet and it feels weird to be away. Or that's how I see it. So you take sick-leave only when it's bad. I'm not taking any sides, I think that you (and your doctor) are the only one(s) to determine your health and what you can and can't do.

And about holidays. Christmas, birthdays, you name it. Every "normal people" day off is a working day. Because hey, if I wouldn't work, you could't have your beer at a bar. You'd have to have it in your home. Or risk being harassed by the police, they really don't take public drinking well. So in the events including having a beer, sparkling wine and shots, people should be happy that people like me exist. The thing is not to be too attached to some specific day; you can always celebrate early or after.

Also, social life is past the roof. Staying in shape and saving money is pretty easy, when you work the hours most people make so called "bad decisions". And you actually have a chance of making sure that people are safe and maybe even prevent the worst ideas people get when they are drunk. I don't believe that you can blame it on alcohol. Every time you have to apologize and include words "but" or "you don't understand" or basically anything to explain the situation, you have done wrong. And under the influence of alcohol or anything actually, you as an adult have to take the responsibility. And note; if you are an adult and want to be treated like one, act like one.

Of course it feels hard sometimes. Of course you miss some nights. But what you get in return, if you love what you do, you can do it.