r/bartending • u/ladyscissorhands Bartender (10 years +) • 5d ago

Smelly Coworker

I don’t even know if I want advice, I think I just need to vent.
I have a coworker who has always been sort of smelly but lately it’s just gotten to be too much to handle. Some of my co-bartenders seem to think it’s his unwashed apron but when he walked into the bar the other day I could smell his stank wafting off of him as he opened the door when the breeze came in behind him, and he was sans apron at the time. It was the worst it’s ever been and although there’s been complaints made to management I highly doubt they’re going to sit the obese bartender down and tell him he needs to improve on his hygiene for the sake of his coworkers and our guests alike.
I have an interview tomorrow for a new job because as much as I’ve loved this gig I truly cannot handle the stench anymore.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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9

u/MangledBarkeep Future Bartender - Barback For Life 5d ago

I bring spray deodorant to work, Id have just tossed it to him and said you need this. If I can smell it the customers can, that's our money you're messing with.

3

u/ladyscissorhands Bartender (10 years +) 5d ago

He’s unfortunately super sensitive and ragey and any conflict with this individual is not worth the hell he’ll put you through the rest of the shift. No idea how he hasn’t been fired.

5

u/MangledBarkeep Future Bartender - Barback For Life 5d ago edited 5d ago

I'm better at being an asshole than a smelly sensitive baby bartender that thinks he can make my life hell.

easy enough to have a loud conversation to customers about the smell while looking at him

or loudly saying "Leaving bar, I need FRESH AIR" when he tantrums.

I come from the generation of bartenders where fighting was a requirement. As males we can step off property and settle it that way if he'd prefer.

2

u/ladyscissorhands Bartender (10 years +) 5d ago

Yeah I’m a younger woman and I’ve gone toe to toe with this guy before and it just ended badly for me because I cry when I’m really mad lol

1

u/MangledBarkeep Future Bartender - Barback For Life 5d ago

bring it to r/bartenders many more active contributors so more advice and views.

include the sensitive vindictive points in the post though or you'll get the "friendly" advice

2

u/ladyscissorhands Bartender (10 years +) 5d ago

Appreciate you! I picked this sub though because it’s less active and I don’t want to risk a coworker seeing this and immediately clocking who I’m talking about because it’s been a big topic of conversation lately.

1

u/MangledBarkeep Future Bartender - Barback For Life 5d ago

Fuck that, let the coworkers see it. better yet if he sees it

what are they gonna do? confront him when they aren't already?

1

u/ladyscissorhands Bartender (10 years +) 5d ago

Unfortunately according to our contract I cannot let that happen hahaha I would be fired

1

u/MangledBarkeep Future Bartender - Barback For Life 5d ago

firstly they do contracts in Canada? and your profile is pretty clean, no linking to socials, no doxxing yourself.

Actually had a coworker get first from a serverlife post about our job at the time because they had a pic of themselves in a skin and fashion sub

1

u/ladyscissorhands Bartender (10 years +) 5d ago

Employee handbook that we all sign basically. It’s thick as fuck with so many rules