30 September 2023 , 12:56
446
0
Pubs have been told to stop using two common phrases heard at every bar because it might encourage patrons to get drunk.
The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) have said pubs should ban staff asking punters “same again?” and “is that a double?” in an effort to curb binge drinking. IARD is supported by leading beer, wine, and spirits producers including Heineken, Diageo, AB InBev, Beam Suntory, Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman. It expects thousands of people to use the training in the UK and abroad.
The advice has been put into training guides for people working in hospitality, with pubs, bars, and restaurants affected. The free online courses try to curb the kind of language that might push people to drink more. It also tells workers to avoid disparaging people who opt for low or no-alcohol options.
“Avoid using presumptive language: it can make customers feel pressured to drink. For example, don’t say ‘same again?’,” the training says. "Instead say ‘what would you like this time?’ Don’t say ‘do you want a large?’. Instead say ‘would you like a small or large measure?'" The free online course also gives advice on how to deal with difficult situations, such as handling customers who are drunk or who appear to be underage, the Times reports.
President of IARD Henry Ashworth said: “IARD member companies support retailers’ and hospitality venues’ efforts to have their staff sell and serve alcohol beverages responsibly, to help prevent sale and service to those underage or knowingly intoxicated. Towards this, we are proud to launch our latest resources that can be used to give staff the confidence to deny sales and service where necessary.“Together, we can help ensure the positive declines in harmful drinking seen in many parts of the world continue to spread, creating long-lasting changes in communities across the world.”
Pub giant behind Slug and Lettuce 'to sell 1,000 pubs' in new blow for boozers
Patrick Villemin, from Heineken and the chairman of the board at IARD, added: “As the world’s leading beer, wine and spirits producers we’ve crafted these tools to support retailers and hospitality venues big and small in their efforts to sell alcohol responsibly.”