Smart Serve Ontario Responsible Service Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'house policy' on alcohol service in a licensed establishment?
- To set drink prices
- To establish consistent standards and procedures for responsible service that all staff follow (Correct answer)
- To determine the dress code
- To schedule staff shifts
Correct answer: To establish consistent standards and procedures for responsible service that all staff follow
A house policy establishes clear, consistent rules and procedures for responsible alcohol service that all staff members must follow, ensuring uniform standards across the establishment.
Question 2: Which of the following factors affects how quickly alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream?
- The colour of the drink
- The patron's body weight, gender, food intake, and rate of consumption (Correct answer)
- The brand of alcohol
- The type of glass used
Correct answer: The patron's body weight, gender, food intake, and rate of consumption
Alcohol absorption rate is affected by multiple physiological factors including body weight, gender (body composition), whether food has been eaten, and how quickly drinks are consumed.
Question 3: How does a standard drink measure help with responsible service?
- It ensures drinks taste consistent
- It allows servers to accurately track alcohol consumption and assess intoxication risk (Correct answer)
- It reduces the cost of alcohol for the establishment
- It speeds up drink preparation
Correct answer: It allows servers to accurately track alcohol consumption and assess intoxication risk
Using standard drink measures helps servers track actual alcohol consumption accurately, making it easier to assess when a patron is approaching or has reached intoxication levels.
Question 4: What constitutes one standard drink in Canada?
- Any single glass of any alcoholic beverage
- 341 mL (12 oz) of 5% beer, 142 mL (5 oz) of 12% wine, or 43 mL (1.5 oz) of 40% spirits (Correct answer)
- 500 mL of any alcoholic beverage
- 250 mL of any beverage over 10% alcohol
Correct answer: 341 mL (12 oz) of 5% beer, 142 mL (5 oz) of 12% wine, or 43 mL (1.5 oz) of 40% spirits
In Canada, one standard drink contains approximately 17.05 mL of pure alcohol, equivalent to a 341 mL beer at 5%, 142 mL wine at 12%, or 43 mL spirits at 40%.
Question 5: What should a server do if a patron claims they 'can handle their alcohol' and demands more drinks despite showing signs of intoxication?
- Believe the patron and continue serving
- Politely but firmly refuse service, as a patron's self-assessment is not a reliable indicator (Correct answer)
- Serve one more drink and then stop
- Ask other patrons if they think the person is intoxicated
Correct answer: Politely but firmly refuse service, as a patron's self-assessment is not a reliable indicator
A patron's self-assessment of their intoxication level is not reliable. The server must rely on their own observations and training to make responsible service decisions, regardless of the patron's claims.
Question 6: Why is it important to serve water alongside alcoholic beverages?
- To dilute the alcohol
- To help with hydration and slow the pace of alcohol consumption (Correct answer)
- Because it is a legal requirement in Ontario
- To fill up the patron so they order less food
Correct answer: To help with hydration and slow the pace of alcohol consumption
Serving water alongside alcohol helps keep patrons hydrated (as alcohol is a diuretic) and provides an alternative between alcoholic drinks, naturally slowing the pace of consumption.
Smart Serve Ontario Responsible Service Practices 3
What is the purpose of a 'house policy' on alcohol service in a licensed establishment?