What 8 Years of Bartending Taught Me About Women

young woman, young, woman

After spending years working in the service industry, I’ve realized bartending isn’t just about mixing drinks or dealing with customers. It’s also an unexpected crash course in human behavior—especially when it comes to dating. Working with women daily and talking to them in a social, relaxed environment gave me some unique insights that most guys in other industries don’t get. And trust me, it’s eye-opening.

So, I’m sharing a few of those takeaways here. Hopefully, you’ll find them useful. If you disagree with anything, let’s chat about it in the comments. Or, you know, drop a thumbs down and bounce—your call.

Consistency vs. Predictability

Let’s start with this: Consistency is attractive. It means you’re reliable, trustworthy, and emotionally stable. Women appreciate a guy who keeps his word and follows through on commitments. It shows you’ve got your stuff together.

But don’t confuse consistency with predictability. Being overly predictable? That’s boring. If every date, every conversation, and every interaction feels like a rerun, it’s going to kill the vibe. Relationships need a little spark, a little surprise to keep them exciting.

The trick is to strike a balance. Be steady and dependable, but keep things fresh—try new things, challenge yourself, and introduce her to experiences she hasn’t had before. Personally, I’ve done stuff like picking up hunting, jumping back into MMA, and even running a 10k. Not only did it make life more interesting for me, but it also added a little extra excitement to my relationships.

Her Friends’ Opinions Don’t Matter (Much)

There’s this weird belief floating around that women care a ton about what their friends think of the guys they date. Honestly? That’s not what I’ve seen.

I’ve watched my female coworkers date guys who were absolute train wrecks—cheaters, addicts, you name it. Their friends hated those guys, but the women stayed with them anyway. On the flip side, I’ve seen women lose interest in great guys—good-looking, kind, well-liked dudes—even when their friends were rooting for them.

Why? It’s all about how a guy makes her feel. A lot of women want someone who’s exciting and fun, not someone who feels “too safe” or predictable. There’s a big difference between being a “nice guy” and being a “good guy.” A good guy has a bit of an edge—he’s kind but not a pushover. A nice guy often comes across as too soft, and that just doesn’t cut it.

Attraction is All About Communication

Attraction usually starts with physical stuff—how you look, how you carry yourself, maybe even your laugh. But if you want to build real chemistry, it’s all about how you communicate. That’s where the magic happens.

Working in hospitality, I got a crash course in this. Flirting is basically part of the job, and you get good at reading people’s nonverbal cues. For example, if a customer gives a little shrug and a frown when you ask if their food is okay, you know there’s a problem. If you can pick up on that and fix it without them even saying it outright, you’re showing empathy and emotional intelligence—two traits women notice.

Combine that with playful, confident flirting, and you’ve got a recipe for attraction. It’s all about creating those fun, feel-good moments that make her want to be around you more.

Confidence Is the Ultimate Equalizer

Here’s a funny thing I learned: Over the years, a few of my female coworkers told me they’d hook up with me—and this was after months or even years of us not really getting along. (And yeah, in hospitality, people talk like this. It’s kind of a no-filter zone.)

What changed? Nothing about my looks or status. It was all about how I carried myself. I stayed positive, didn’t let things get to me, and didn’t try to impress them. And I definitely didn’t care if they liked me.

The takeaway? Confidence matters—a lot. It’s about being unapologetically yourself, staying cool under pressure, and not letting anyone shake you. Even people who don’t like you at first will eventually come around when they see you’re consistent and self-assured.

Wrapping Up

Working in the service industry taught me things you don’t learn in books or seminars. Women are drawn to guys who are consistent but not boring, confident but not cocky, and emotionally intelligent but still fun. It’s not rocket science—it’s just about being real and bringing your best self to the table.

So, what do you think? Let’s talk about it in the comments. Or, if you think I’m full of it, you know what to do. Either way, thanks for reading.

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