Keeping Tab Of Your Drinks To Save Your Bar Tab
We have all seen them experienced them and had our wallets emptied or credit card bills affected by them.
They are the dreaded “bar moochers,” people who drink on your tab, at your expense, while they pay nothing.
They are so good at doing this that only until later do you realize it, saying either to yourself or others in your group, “did so-and-so not pay?”
Having been through this – one “friend” was an expert at it – I am providing you with tips on how to spot a bar moocher and also ways to prevent the moocher from striking again when you are out at the bars.
Spotting The Bar Moocher
• Bar Mooches generally strike in groups rather than with an individual and they always have a connection to someone. Generally they are a “fringe friend” or a friend of a friend who may spot a familiar face in a bar.
• They invite themselves along with you or, if you are already out, make a quick move to join you or your group.
• They never buy the first round.
• They act as if they don’t want a drink at first, then say “well, all right,” This is an astute psychological strategy that, to the unsuspecting suspects, makes them want to bring this person into the group to join the partying. “We need to encourage him (or her)” is the thought.
• They quickly become the “life” of the conversation. Laughing, cheering and quickly becoming a part of the group
• Much like a savvy criminal, the bar moocher will pick out a pigeon and attack it. In this case, it’s the person who is quickest on the draw to get the drinks. The moocher will often reposition himself/herself next to this person, pretending to be a great and fun friend. Once comfortable, he/she will then up the stakes by suggesting ordering shots. When the mooch starts suggesting shots, this is key sign you’re about to get burned.
• When it’s time for them to buy a round – and this is a key point – they will always say “you know, I don’t want one this time.” By doing this, they are hoping the group by passes him or her and goes onto the next person. When this happens, you must stop and challenge them, insisting that he or she buys this round regardless if he/she wants one.
• Most people don’t challenge the mooch in the above scenario and simply go onto the next person to buy a round. On the next round, the mooch will pipe up and say “you know what, I will have one this time.”
• This pattern will continue until the group moves onto another bar (if he or she is successful, the mooch will follow and then disappear into the bathroom or some other place until after the first round has been ordered), the group calls it a night or calls him or her out on it.
Bar Moocher Prevention Tips
• Don’t ever invite that person out with you in the first place
• Take mental note of who is buying which rounds
• Challenge the person. When it’s their time, insist that they pay. If they make up excuses then don’t include them in your conversation
• Tell everyone else you know that the person is a mooch. Warn others and spread the word. If you have heard this about a person and he/she approaches you in a bar, confront them by saying “I hear you are a mooch.” This may not change that person’s behavior but it’s likely you won’t be taken in by him or her.
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