No friends or family

duchy

heuchera wrote: »

Yes, if OP is a man it is a bit easier for men to sit alone in pubs than women. As in, they tend not to get people coming up to them or hassling them.

I used to offer to do bar work, but the agency always told me they need someone with experience. It's not just pulling pints, - you've got to be able to deal with various situations, all of which are easier if you've got a bit of experience in the trade.

I have done bar work and plenty of the staff we took on had no experience - agencies are a bit different as most pubs take on their own entry level staff rather than pay an agency -they just stick a help wanted card in their window instead.

An agency would really only deal with bars for chefs and assistant managers and upwards so yes for them they'd be looking for people with experience.

The hardest thing about bar work is getting used to been on your feet if you've previously being desk bound.and smiling regardless. The rest is easily taught.

System

duchy wrote: »

I have done bar work and plenty of the staff we took on had no experience - agencies are a bit different as most pubs take on their own entry level staff rather than pay an agency -they just stick a help wanted card in their window instead.

An agency would really only deal with bars for chefs and assistant managers and upwards so yes for them they'd be looking for people with experience.

The hardest thing about bar work is getting used to been on your feet if you've previously being desk bound.and smiling regardless. The rest is easily taught.

Sounds like you worked in a Wetherspoons. A friend of mine was a manager at a Wetherspoons pub and quit after 6 months because she was encouraged to only employ inexperienced staff to 'train up' but really it was just a way to get staff at NMW.

Jackzzz

To be honest I'm not that fussed, I'd work the first few shifts for free in exchange for training if that's what it comes to. I actually think I'd really enjoy working in a bar, like an actual bar, not a pub.

Plenty of people to chat to and tipsy people are very easy to talk to because they do most of the talking

heuchera

duchy wrote: »

An agency would really only deal with bars for chefs and assistant managers and upwards so yes for them they'd be looking for people with experience.

The hardest thing about bar work is getting used to been on your feet if you've previously being desk bound.and smiling regardless. The rest is easily taught.

Nope.. this particular job was the pub area of an ice rink, but they dealt with many other ordinary pubs.

It's definitely a job for someone WITH social skills. A quiet, shrinking-violet type ought not to seek bar work (and probably wouldn't get it anyway) Even a quiet country pub will have its share of rowdies and dodgy people on occasion.

Jackzzz

heuchera wrote: »

Nope.. this particular job was the pub area of an ice rink, but they dealt with many other ordinary pubs.

It's definitely a job for someone WITH social skills. A quiet, shrinking-violet type ought not to seek bar work (and probably wouldn't get it anyway) Even a quiet country pub will have its share of rowdies and dodgy people on occasion.

I'm not really a shy person... If someone talks to me I'll happily talk with them but what's hard for me is initialising a conversation. I did go to uni don't forget and loved it, got on with everyone there, went on nights out, played pool, studied together etc.

So I can mix, but the conversation needs to be brought to me

Caroline_a

One thing I would say is that friendship is a 2 way thing. You say that you lost touch with your uni friends - how much did you contact them, or did you wait for them to contact you? Sometimes you have to go the extra mile - people usually appreciate that. We all have busy lives and sometimes 'I must phone xyz' gets lost in amongst all the rest of stuff that needs doing. Then if you make the effort rather than waiting for your friend you often get the response 'oh heavens I've been meaning to ring you...' and so on etc.

Jonesy88

Which uni did you go to? Could you contact them to see if they have any reunions planned?

Any night classes you fancy? If you liked the uni atmosphere it might be a good half way house.

heuchera

Jackzzz wrote: »

I'm not really a shy person... If someone talks to me I'll happily talk with them but what's hard for me is initialising a conversation. I did go to uni don't forget and loved it, got on with everyone there, went on nights out, played pool, studied together etc.

So I can mix, but the conversation needs to be brought to me

Sounds like you'd enjoy it.. just beware of the dodgy types!

A colleague of mine worked in a bar and said one of the regulars offered to (and I quote) bend her over the table and show her a good time :eek::rotfl: Definitely not a job for someone who can't handle "banter" .. and more!

12_month_challenge

heuchera wrote: »

Sounds like you'd enjoy it.. just beware of the dodgy types!

A colleague of mine worked in a bar and said one of the regulars offered to (and I quote) bend her over the table and show her a good time :eek::rotfl: Definitely not a job for someone who can't handle "banter" .. and more!

I would've told that regular to pick a window hes leaving :rotfl:

Jackzzz

I just thought of an idea... I could look for a shared house and move into that? A home with 5 or 6 people living in it, all of them have jobs but they live together because it's cheaper.

That way I will always have people around me to socialise with. I'm sure that a house of 5 are likely to go out together sometimes as well. house mates soon become friends right?