10 Weird Rules That Only Ever Work In TV & Movies
9. Barmen Never Check If A Character Has Paid For Their Drinks
This might be the most nit-picky of things to point out in film and TV, but it's a character behaviour we see more and more and it's an odd one to ignore.
Not wanting to point the finger squarely at our American brethren, but we don't tend to see this in British films and shows. We understand the concept of a tab, and maybe that a character frequents a bar so much that they know how much they've spent. But watch any film where characters have a discussion in a bar, and as they prepare to leave one character will reach into their wallet and throw a twenty-dollar bill onto the bar and to walk out.
Dude, how do you even know you've paid enough? You could have change leftover! That's a mighty generous tip if you're throwing fifty bucks on the table for two Coors Light. What's stopping some drunk two seats down from reaching over and pocketing that cash as you walk out? All it takes is a second, but you're too busy!
It's a very tenuous thing to have a go about, but I'll be damned if drinks pourers in dive bars don't get the representation and advocation they deserve.