It’s EXTREMELY loud and the traffic of drinks and people are just pouring…but all you want to do is close your tab and leave. How do you do it? Do you shout at the bartender? No, that’s just rude! And raising your hand like it’s a classroom does NOT work either. Perhaps you’re one of those who hopes to get their point across with high hopes the bartender can lip-read, but when that fails…man do you look like an idiot. So let’s face it, we all have naturally done some funky sign language to communicate with bartenders, when in the end we tell ourselves: “What the hell did I just do?”
As of now we have NOT reached a national consensus for a cash-out sign in these situations. And below are all examples designed specifically to grab the bartenders attention, from a distance or up close, for a simplified way of closing your bar tab in a deafening and swarming environment.
1.) THE X-FACTOR – My personal favorite and go to move of canceling drink orders can simply be achieved by holding up an X with your hands and arms. It’s simple and grabs the bartender’s attention like none other. Depending on the visibility situation between you and the bartender, the X can be joined together near the wrist for close up situations, or for long distance visibility it can be attached at the middle of your forearms, held high above your head. You can even exaggerate grossly by performing a chopping motion and bumping your wrists and/or arms jointly, keeping the X – a national symbol of cashing out.
2.) THE DISK JOKEY – Another proven successful bar move is the sign of waving your hand back and forth by your throat area. I don’t know who originated this move, but it has been widely accepted as a parallel phrase for “No more for me.” It’s a straight to the point move that most drink servers can relate to when it comes to bar communication. So thank you anonymous for a great cash out move!
3.) THE ROUND UP – Rounding up the troops usually may refer to as a sign for going to the bar, but it can also participate as a reverse action. By holding your arm high, pointing just your index finger straight in the air, the move can be executed by performing a circular motion at the wrist to your right (if using right hand, otherwise left if using left hand). This signal will let the bartender know that you are trying to leave…once the bartender rounds up all the drinks and finalizes the bar tab.
4.) THE SCRIBBLER – The last familiar bilateral agreement between the server and the drinker is to act as if a pen is in your hand and squiggle your name in the air, signaling to the bartender that you are ready to sign the bill and be on your way.
5.) TIMEOUT! – In sports, a timeout is commonly referred to as an interruption of play during which an official stops the clock for a brief rest or break. So why not apply this tactic to drinking? After all, for some of us, drinking is a sport. Therefore, don’t be afraid to call a timeout for a brief suspension of activity…you’ll be back.
WHAT IS YOUR GO TO MOVE???
