RSA Course Online

Tag: Alcoholic Drink

  • Important Alcohol Facts You Should Know

    Once someone has made the decision to work in the hospitality industry, serving alcohol and have completed the mandatory Responsible Service of Alcohol course, it is important that they learn the facts about drinking and how to answer a customers questions.

    Some of the following facts you may already know, but if you don’t they should prove useful in helping you be a better barmen/waitron etc.

    • Is all alcohol safe for human consumption? No. Alcohol that people can drink is called ethyl or ethanol alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol or Rubbing alcohol is not for drinking
    • How long will the alcohol stay in my system? It all depends on how much alcohol you consumed and how fast; it also depends on some other factors like weight and sex.
    • What exactly do they mean by “Proof”? Alcohol proof is the amount of alcohol in the liquor or liqueur. It is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. Example: 80-proof means 40% alcohol by volume, 100-proof is 50%, 151-proof is 75.5%, etc.
    • Can I get more drunk by mixing drinks? No. The alcohol in the drinks makes you drunk not the different kinds.
    • Will drinking a lot of coffee or taking a really cold shower help me sober up quickly? No, they won’t. The only thing that can help you sober up is “time.” Coffee and a cold shower might help you stay awake, but they won’t help you sober up.
    • Does eating a lot of food before drinking help keep me from getting drunk? Eating before drinking slows down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. You will get drunk, but it will take a little bit longer.

    Drinkers should always be encouraged to eat and to pace themselves. They should also be encouraged to drink water and stay hydrated because alcohol actually dehydrates you.

    Also keep in mind that alcohol can be a poison.  If you drink too much too fast, it can kill you. Please encourage customers to drink with moderation and responsibly. 

    Other Things to keep in mind:

    1. Carbonated mixed drinks get people drunk faster than non-carbonated.
    2. Mixing different kinds of drinks doesn’t get a person more drunk. The amount of alcohol does.
    3. Coffee and a cold shower won’t help anyone sober up.
    4. The only thing that can help you/ your patrons sober up is “time” but avoid binge drinking anyway.
    5. Never drink and drive or allow customers to do so. 
    6. Always refuse alcohol service to unduly intoxicated or underage patrons.

    Complete your Responsible Service of Alcohol before beginning work in a licensed venue. Find out more here.

     

  • Day Dedicated to Alcoholic Drink Sparks Concerns in Ireland

    Although “Arthur’s Day” is over the controversy it caused still remains. Ask anyone who has visited Ireland what they think of when you mention the place and most of them will say bars and pubs but that nation’s love of pubs and alcohol has sparked national controversy because of an unofficial holiday which was started by Guinness. Are holidays being invented by alcohol companies just to give people an excuse to get drunk?

    Last Thursday, the Guinness sponsored Arthur’s Day celebrations commemorated the birthday of the 18th century founder of Ireland’s favourite pub drink. The celebrations were spread across the globe in countries like Malaysia and Jamaica and featured concerts in 815 pubs and clubs across Ireland.

    The day dedicated to Guinness was launched in 2009 in an effort to make money for struggling pubs during the financial crisis. The day is characterised by drinks specials, guest appearances by popular musicians paid for by Guinness’s parent company.

    The following excerpt from an article on News.com.au explains more about the holiday:

    Launched in 2009, Guinness says the annual festivities provide a needed tonic for a 7,500-strong Irish pub network struggling to maintain profits in the face of a five-year debt crisis that has ravaged employment and incomes.

    Many pubs are offering free pints of the dark brown stout at 5:59pm. – a reference to the founding of Guinness in 1759 – followed by the appearance of a band or singer, among them internationally popular acts, many kept secret until that moment. All entertainers are paid by Guinness’ British parent, Diageo.

    “It’s really a musical treasure hunt. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year,” said David Doolan, a 28-year-old software engineer who plans to follow tweeted tipoffs as musical acts turn up in Dublin pubs.

    He’s caught parts of impromptu performances by Tom Jones, Mumford & Sons and Stereophonics in past festivities.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/travel/guiness-fuelled-holiday-sparks-health-woes-in-ireland/story-e6frfq7r-1226727943363

    This year however the holiday has been marred by protests that Arthur’s Day is exacerbating the problem of alcoholism in Ireland. Alcohol problems are a huge issue for the Irish, with problems associated with alcoholism costing the economy 3.7 billion Euros (Aus $5.3 billion) every year, this comes from hung over workers, an alarmingly high rate of liver disease, late night violence and vandalism and hospital admissions.

    The article on News.com.au quoted some of the critics of the holiday:

    “They shouldn’t call it Arthur’s Day. They should call it Vomit Day,” said Aisling Fitzsimons, a 50-year-old manager of a convenience store who says she has to hose down the sidewalk outside most weekends.

    Two performers who definitely aren’t playing are Irish folk singer Christy Moore and the Celtic rock band The Waterboys. Both have penned anti-Arthur’s Day songs that harness an Irish sense of unease of being played for fools by a brewing behemoth.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/travel/guiness-fuelled-holiday-sparks-health-woes-in-ireland/story-e6frfq7r-1226727943363

    Diageo, the giant behind Guinness has been criticised for inventing a pseudo-national holiday with the purpose of marketing alcoholic products to young people which some fear are fuelling alcohol problems in the country.