I tend bar at an interesting place in the middle of Shaker Heights, which probably belongs in Boston or New York or any where but Shaker Heights. I have no idea how i fit in this bar, except the boss is seemingly obsessed with having a sexy bar, apparently i have a passable ass and i like to drink. We recently got new black lights and are equipped with a disco ball.
The core cliental is made up of middle age or older hard working African Americans, a few younger folks come through from time to time and every once in a while some white people too. Don't get me wrong i really enjoy the experience, i've had some really excellent discussions about a lot issues that exist in the world and been able to hear a lot of perspectives that i may not have had the chance to hear had i not been the poorer of drinks at this particular establishment.
We play a lot of 70's soul, and funk and Motown at the bar. I dig the music, and slowly the regulars are learning how truly bad i am.
The other night two white kids, probably 22 came in. Not only are they out of their element here, but also i kind of wondered to myself if the ids that they produced were in fact legit. If they were legal, they were on the newly able to drink in public side. You can always tell them, they are kind of cocky and kind of nervous - they like to show off that they are drinking (oh yeah, you're totally going to impress a bar tender with that party trick). I think they were a couple, a girl and a boy.
At one point, while i refilled their drinks, the girl looked at me and said "i don't know one song that you've played in here".
I couldn't resist:
"I'm sorry that you're so white" and went about my business filling other beverages.
mortified she sat there while equally honkey boyfriend pissed his pants laughing.
In short, if you come in to the bar that i tend clueless, and think i wont find some smart ass comment to make, you are sadly mistaken.
1 comment:
I was once a white college boy at that bar. Give them a chance.
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