Big brother bartending

A British town has begun to demand fingerprints of pub patrons.

Voluntary, eh? Voluntary if you want a beer, I guess. I'm sure everyone is comfortable with the police having a database of how often, what and where they drink. How long until they inform your boss of how many pints you had last night? Or your health insurance provider? Hush, hush, go along quietly, this is for your own good.

Respect

One of the benefits of my new job is instant wine "cred" whereever I go. I know that it's undeserved since I'm still so new to the world of wine, but I'm reveling in it nonetheless. My last job, when explained, drew nothing but blank stares, mostly because it was one of those industries that most people don't ever really think about. When I got this job I was immesely proud, because I knew how good the place was - but I wasn't expecting this reaction from the rest of the community. It's been so fun to walk into any wine shop or tasting in the city, and have folks tell me what a great place it is to begin a wine career and then ask me to say hello to any number of the people working there. Everyone in this town knows my boss. When they found out where I worked at the last tasting I went to, the presenter dug up a good bottle of Fino sherry for me to try - but that's another post. Anyway, I feel that my career has really gotten started off on the right foot. Now it's nose to the grindstone to move it forward!