You Will Have A Crush On Your Favorite Bartender, But It Doesn't Count
What's life without a crush? Someone to direct your love song jam sessions at, someone you nervously hope you see out that night or secretly hope to run into at the grocery store.
Even if it means nothing, having that little added thrill in your daily routine is still nice. We tend to form minor crushes on the somewhat constant people in our lives: your coworker, the person you always see at the gym, that one friend of a friend. While these are situational, one specific type of crush is bound to form: your favorite bartender.
The majority of those in their 20s have their favorite local bar. You've gotten comfortable; you know the vibe and which days to go for whatever mood you're in. You've befriended the bouncer, maybe even the manager at this point, but most importantly, you've befriended the bartenders.
As soon as you walk in, they smile, calling you by name, making sure your drink of choice is in hand before you even get the chance to order. It feels nice to be recognized and taken care of.
When you really analyze it, some aspects of the relationship start seeming somewhat romantic. At some point, you inevitably start flirting back and forth. They're listening to your problems and acting like they care, complaints about your sh*tty boss, the ex that broke your heart, the fight you got in with your roommate that afternoon. All the while, they're taking care of you, feeding you drinks and shots, making sure you drink water and get food in your stomach, charging your phone, and maybe even offering to call an Uber ride home.
But, when you think about them outside of the bar scene, they're likely not nearly as appealing as they were the night before. You don't really have genuine feelings for them; it's really always just been for sh*ts and giggles. This is why the crush you have on this bartender doesn't necessarily count.
The thing is, you see them on a weekly basis. Sometimes more than once a week. Because of this, they become an automatic constant in your life. Weirdly, they're giving you a sense of stability, but not because either of you is actually choosing to be around each other. You're a customer, and while the bartender may be an added plus, they are (hopefully) not the sole reason you're going to the bar. And on the other hand, they simply work there. They don't have any choice but to be in your presence when you decide to drop in.
Not only this, your frequent flirtation is probably not as meaningful as it seems. At the end of the day, they're working to make money. And you are the perfect example of someone they know they can get some extra cash out of. I hate to be the breaker of the bad news, but they're flirting for tips. I'm not saying they don't think you're cute, but in all honesty, they probably have someone waiting for them at home.
Now, don't take it to heart because whether you'd like to admit it or not, you have ulterior motives, too. You're flirting for free sh*t. Come on, don't act like you don't. You want the free shots and drinks; hell, if you're a good enough flirt, you might even score yourself a free basket of fries.
At the end of the day, you can look at it as the development of a mutually beneficial relationship. You both are getting something out of it and having fun while doing it. The fact that it doesn't count makes it even better; no strings attached, you both know it's not going anywhere, and you can still talk to other people. They get their tip, and you get free Rumple Minz shots. I call that a win-win.
Strike Out,
Morgan Harms
Boca Raton
Morgan Harms is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She is a Pisces mermaid with a love for the ocean. She spends her free time daydreaming, wave-watching, and blasting whatever music she's into that day. You can reach her by email at morganjharms@gmail.com or on Instagram @morganjharms.
