SIR Responsible Service Strategies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the benefit of offering a varied non-alcoholic drink menu?
- It reduces the need for a liquor licence
- It provides appealing alternatives for designated drivers, non-drinkers, and patrons being paced or cut off (Correct answer)
- It is only important for children's menus
- It has no real benefit
Correct answer: It provides appealing alternatives for designated drivers, non-drinkers, and patrons being paced or cut off
A varied non-alcoholic menu provides appealing alternatives for designated drivers, non-drinkers, and patrons who have been cut off or are being paced, making the transition away from alcohol less awkward.
Question 2: How should servers communicate about a patron's intoxication level with their manager?
- They should not communicate about it
- Discreetly and professionally, sharing observations about the patron's behaviour and consumption (Correct answer)
- Loudly so other patrons can hear
- Only after the patron leaves
Correct answer: Discreetly and professionally, sharing observations about the patron's behaviour and consumption
Servers should communicate discreetly and professionally with managers about concerns, sharing specific observations about behaviour changes and consumption patterns so a team decision can be made.
Question 3: Why is teamwork important in responsible alcohol service?
- It makes the shift go faster
- Multiple staff members can monitor patrons, share information, and support each other in difficult service decisions (Correct answer)
- It reduces the number of staff needed
- Only managers need to be involved in responsible service
Correct answer: Multiple staff members can monitor patrons, share information, and support each other in difficult service decisions
Teamwork is essential because no single server can observe every patron. Multiple staff members can share observations, back each other up during difficult cut-off situations, and ensure consistent monitoring throughout the establishment.
Question 4: What should be included in a responsible service training program for staff?
- Only how to mix drinks
- Recognizing intoxication signs, refusal techniques, legal obligations, and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- Only pricing and menu knowledge
- How to serve drinks faster
Correct answer: Recognizing intoxication signs, refusal techniques, legal obligations, and emergency procedures
A comprehensive training program should cover recognizing signs of intoxication, techniques for refusing or cutting off service, legal obligations under BC law, emergency procedures, and conflict resolution.
Question 5: How can a server use the 'speed of service' as a responsible service tool?
- By serving drinks as fast as possible
- By intentionally slowing drink delivery to a patron showing early signs of intoxication (Correct answer)
- By ignoring the patron's requests
- Speed of service is not relevant to responsible service
Correct answer: By intentionally slowing drink delivery to a patron showing early signs of intoxication
Slowing the speed of service is a subtle but effective tool. By taking a bit longer to deliver drinks to a patron showing early signs of intoxication, servers can help the body catch up with metabolizing the alcohol already consumed.
Question 6: What is the role of 'house policies' in responsible service?
- They are optional guidelines
- They establish clear, consistent rules that all staff follow for responsible service, providing a framework for decision-making (Correct answer)
- They only apply to managers
- They are created by patrons
Correct answer: They establish clear, consistent rules that all staff follow for responsible service, providing a framework for decision-making
House policies provide a consistent framework for responsible service that all staff must follow. They take the burden off individual servers by establishing clear rules about service limits, ID checks, and refusal procedures.
SIR Responsible Service Strategies 3
What is the benefit of offering a varied non-alcoholic drink menu?