TIPS Case Analysis & Practical Application 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer who appeared sober an hour ago is now slurring words and bumping into tables. What is the most likely explanation?
- They were pretending to be sober earlier
- Alcohol consumed earlier has now been fully absorbed into the bloodstream (Correct answer)
- They mixed alcohol with medication just now
- The establishment's drinks became stronger
Correct answer: Alcohol consumed earlier has now been fully absorbed into the bloodstream
Alcohol absorption is delayed, so intoxication signs can appear 30–90 minutes after drinking as alcohol fully enters the bloodstream.
Question 2: A group of five customers arrives and one immediately orders a round of shots for everyone. What should the server assess first?
- Whether the group has a designated driver
- Whether each individual shows any signs of prior intoxication (Correct answer)
- The total cost of the round before serving
- Whether the bar is at capacity
Correct answer: Whether each individual shows any signs of prior intoxication
Each customer must be individually assessed for signs of intoxication before being served, regardless of group orders.
Question 3: You are serving a customer who insists they are not drunk because they 'feel fine.' How should you respond?
- Accept their self-assessment since they know their own body best
- Explain that subjective feelings are an unreliable measure of intoxication (Correct answer)
- Offer them one more drink since they seem coherent
- Ask another customer to evaluate them
Correct answer: Explain that subjective feelings are an unreliable measure of intoxication
Alcohol impairs self-perception, so a person's own judgment of their sobriety is not a reliable indicator of actual intoxication.
Question 4: A customer hands you an ID that shows they are 20 years old. They order a beer and offer to tip generously. What must you do?
- Serve them since they are close to legal age
- Refuse service because they are under the legal drinking age of 21 (Correct answer)
- Ask a manager to make the final decision
- Serve them if they sign a waiver
Correct answer: Refuse service because they are under the legal drinking age of 21
The legal drinking age in the US is 21, and no amount of tip or social pressure changes that legal obligation.
Question 5: A visibly intoxicated man approaches the bar and says he only wants a glass of water. What is the appropriate action?
- Refuse to serve him anything since he is intoxicated
- Provide the water and monitor his condition (Correct answer)
- Call law enforcement immediately
- Ask him to leave before providing water
Correct answer: Provide the water and monitor his condition
Non-alcoholic beverages like water can be provided to intoxicated guests to support hydration and give staff time to arrange a safe departure.
Question 6: During a busy Friday night, a regular customer becomes loud and is bothering other guests but does not appear intoxicated. What is the best first step?
- Cut them off from alcohol immediately
- Calmly and privately address the behavior and ask them to settle down (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since they are a regular and a good tipper
- Immediately call security to remove them
Correct answer: Calmly and privately address the behavior and ask them to settle down
TIPS recommends a calm, private, non-confrontational approach when addressing disruptive behavior before escalating to stronger measures.
Question 7: A customer who has been cut off becomes angry and threatens to go to a competitor. What is the correct response?
- Resume serving them to avoid losing the business
- Remain firm, empathize, and offer alternatives like food or water (Correct answer)
- Offer a discount on their next visit to calm them
- Ignore the threat and walk away without explanation
Correct answer: Remain firm, empathize, and offer alternatives like food or water
TIPS training emphasizes standing firm on the refusal while acknowledging feelings and redirecting to safe alternatives to defuse tension.
TIPS Case Analysis & Practical Application 2
A customer who appeared sober an hour ago is now slurring words and bumping into tables.
What is the most likely explanation?