November 2003

Dick: I was looking around the room at a bar awards ceremony recently, and I had a sudden realisation. The place was full of excellent people, all with friendly, happy, positive faces. It made me realise how lucky we are to be in the bar business.

Tony: At moment the industry seems to reflect the energy that is put into it by people who really care about what they are doing on all levels. All over the country, wherever I seem to go, there are bars where the people working in them are exchanging ideas and raising the general standard of what we do. It makes me quite proud to be a part of the industry.

Dick: It was not so in the past, when there was rivalry rather than spirited competition. Also my sojourn in the bar world revealed a serious bitchy side to the job that isn't reflected in our sector. I think that people are proud and there is a large element of satisfaction, although, I must admit, I do occasionally lose sight of that fact when I am in the middle of a tough Friday night!)

Tony: But when it flows on that Friday night, isn't it one of the best feelings? Even when it goes a bit pear-shaped. When you sort it out, there is great satisfaction in making it all come together.

Dick: Yes, I think people are really positive because when they are faced with a task or a problem, they have the solution and it is all worked through instantly. There is something rather joyous about being in a team that works together and really achieves something, even though it's just making drinks and getting through the night. Office workers get sent on Òoutward boundÓ courses to experience that sort of camaraderie, and we get to do it most nights. Do you think it's more positive outside of London? That is what is often saidÉ

Tony: In or out of London I think that, by and large, there is a lot of positivity. I also think that camaraderie is reflected not only within the confines of the team but within the industry as a whole. You can see this by how many attend people regularly attend competitions and other industry events.

Dick: Those awards and competitions have really made a difference. Getting a "well-done badge" from your peers is great. It's hard for a crew to know if they're appreciated. Your boss, the owners and the customers just don't seem to congratulate as much as they could, so coming home with an award can be really inspiring. But enough of the back-slapping, can we slag someone off now?