As a proud member of the Hospitality Service Industry (yes, bartending is a Real job, especially in a tourist-rich area such as the Niagara Region), I try to network with as many other service professionals as I can, either through personal interaction, or by way of social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Today, Liquor.com asked the following question via Twitter: BARTENDERS’ SOAPBOX: “How important is making eye contact with each and every patron?” Immediately, this came across as a very odd question, because to me, the answer was beyond obvious: “VERY!” With that being said...

Written by James Ryan “Certainly, it seems true enough that there’s a good deal of irony in the world… I mean, if you live in a world full of politicians and advertising, there’s obviously a lot of deception.”—Kenneth Koch There’s nothing I look forward to at the end of a long day more than a nice cold pint of Guinness, and I always try to make sure that I have a few extra cans stocked up in the fridge to get me through the week (usually one per day suits me just fine) in preparation for thirst-quenching emergencies such as the one that I’m currently...