TAM Identifying Intoxication & Intervention Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer who was previously talkative suddenly becomes quiet, glassy-eyed, and unsteady. What does this behavioral shift most likely indicate?
- They are tired and ready to leave
- They are approaching a dangerous level of intoxication (Correct answer)
- They are reacting to loud music
- They are waiting for their food order
Correct answer: They are approaching a dangerous level of intoxication
A sudden shift from animated to quiet, combined with glassy eyes and unsteadiness, signals rapid intoxication that requires immediate intervention.
Question 2: Under TAM guidelines, which statement best describes the 'reasonable care' standard for alcohol servers in Maryland?
- Servers must refuse all customers who appear under age 30
- Servers must take steps a reasonable person would to prevent harm from intoxicated guests (Correct answer)
- Servers are only liable if a guest causes injury on the premises
- Servers must call police whenever a guest orders a third drink
Correct answer: Servers must take steps a reasonable person would to prevent harm from intoxicated guests
The reasonable care standard requires servers to act as a responsible person would, which includes monitoring and refusing service to visibly intoxicated guests.
Question 3: When intervening with an intoxicated guest, why should you avoid arguing or raising your voice?
- Loud voices alert other customers unnecessarily
- Confrontation can escalate aggression in an already impaired person (Correct answer)
- Maryland law prohibits verbal confrontations with guests
- Raising your voice is considered a form of assault
Correct answer: Confrontation can escalate aggression in an already impaired person
Alcohol impairs judgment and emotional regulation, making confrontation likely to escalate the situation rather than resolve it.
Question 4: A server notices a guest slurring words after two drinks. What factor might explain intoxication appearing faster than expected?
- The guest is faking intoxication for attention
- The guest may have eaten little food, mixed medications, or have a low tolerance (Correct answer)
- The bar's drinks are always stronger than labeled
- The guest drank water between drinks which speeds absorption
Correct answer: The guest may have eaten little food, mixed medications, or have a low tolerance
Factors like an empty stomach, medication interactions, fatigue, or naturally low tolerance can cause rapid intoxication at lower drink counts.
Question 5: Which of the following is the safest intervention when a visibly intoxicated guest insists on driving home?
- Agree to let them go since you already cut them off from alcohol
- Offer to call a rideshare, taxi, or a sober friend on their behalf (Correct answer)
- Ask another intoxicated guest to drive them home
- Give them coffee and check again in 10 minutes before deciding
Correct answer: Offer to call a rideshare, taxi, or a sober friend on their behalf
Actively arranging alternative transportation is the safest and most responsible intervention to prevent drunk driving.
Question 6: A guest complains that you are discriminating by cutting them off while others are still drinking. What is the best response?
- Apologize and pour one more drink to avoid conflict
- Calmly explain that your decision is based on their behavior, not personal bias (Correct answer)
- Ignore the complaint and walk away immediately
- Ask the manager to handle all further service decisions tonight
Correct answer: Calmly explain that your decision is based on their behavior, not personal bias
Explaining that your refusal is based on observable behavior, not the person's identity, is both legally sound and professionally appropriate.
Question 7: In TAM training, what is the purpose of the 'count and track' method?
- To calculate the bar's total alcohol revenue per shift
- To monitor how many drinks each guest has consumed over time (Correct answer)
- To count how many guests are in the venue for fire code compliance
- To track how many times a guest visits the restroom
Correct answer: To monitor how many drinks each guest has consumed over time
Counting and tracking each guest's drink consumption helps servers identify when a guest is approaching or has reached intoxication.
TAM Identifying Intoxication & Intervention Techniques 2
A customer who was previously talkative suddenly becomes quiet, glassy-eyed, and unsteady.
What does this behavioral shift most likely indicate?