It all started the summer of ’93, I was living in Boston and working in the Quincey Markets for a seafood restaurant. Well, one day the inside bartender didn’t show up, and the manager asked if one of the servers could cover that area. We all looked at each other and said, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” You see, the inside bartender made very little money, had to stand near the kitchen area that reeked of dead fish, and shuck oysters and clams for the outside bartender. Well, after a long night of drinking, I really didn’t feel like dealing with the heat and humidity of downtown Boston, as well as the snobs of the Boston business community, who frequent the restaurant at lunch. So, I volunteered to be the inside bartender, and I have been bartending ever since.

Now, over the years I have worked in many different places and different types of bars and restaurants, but the job seems to always be the same. As the bartender, you are there to not only serve tasty drinks and get people tanked, but more often than not, you are there to listen to people’s stories. What I find most entertaining about the whole thing is that people will tell me, a complete stranger, things they wouldn’t tell their best friend, parents, doctor, pastor, etc. Then on top of it all, every story ends with them asking me, “So what do you think?” Maybe it is my friendly clean-cut look, but I always find it strange that people actually ask for my advice on their personal matters.

Well, I have a degree in communications and I minored in psychology, so I figured I will put it all to use and I give these people my thoughts. Most people seem to appreciate what I have to say, whether they take it to heart and use my advice I don’t always know, but for that moment I give them something to think about. What I tell people may not be the right thing but it is what I would do in their situation.

You maybe asking yourself what is the point of this? Well, the answer is this: After talking to Detroit Buzz about what I have encountered over the years as a bartender they thought it would be a good idea if I put my stories, thoughts, and advice out to the public. As you can tell, I agreed.

This will be a public forum where you can write me, ask me questions, tell me your experiences, etc. In return, I will give you my opinions and thoughts. You are more than welcome to ask anything! I have heard a lot over the years, so nothing will surprise me! It can be about how to pick up guys/girls at the bar, how to keep your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/lover happy, what types of guys/girls to look out for, what are good places to take a date, tasty drink recipes, basically—anything!!!

So go ahead and start thinking of what you want to “Ask Reno.”

Before the next installment of Ask Reno I am going to give you something to think about. There are 5 topics of conversation that guys talk about to try and make themselves look like the coolest guy in the bar, but all it does is make them look like jackasses! We have all heard them and more than likely used them, but didn’t realize that we are making a complete ass out of ourselves. So, my question to you is, what are the 5 topics? I will give you the answers and stories behind them all, next time!