Would you worry about DC working in a city centre bar

[Thestandar1]

DD is 16, at college and looking for a part time job. Shes been offered a job as a glass wash at a bar in the city centre. Obviously I shouldn’t pre judge but I’ve worked quite a few big bars in my time and honestly I don’t really have a good word to say about it. I never worked at this bar but similar establishments (although this was quite a few years ago now). I find that very often there tends to be all sorts of unsavoury characters who end up in management roles. Often drugs and binge drinking are common. The customers heavy drinking can often lead to abuse towards staff. Exploitation of staff is common. DD is a little young for her age and quite naive and I worry about her. I am very proud of her for finding this job and I’m thinking maybe I’m being ridiculous, perhaps things have changed and perhaps this bar will be different. Can anyone reassure me?

Oh, I'd assumed she was over 18 on reading the title and was going to tell you to let her crack on and she'll probably have a great time.

But 16? Nope, I really wouldn't like it.

Are you being serious?! WTF.

Op let her try but equip her with an honest chat and some street smarts about what it might be like.

It would depend on the bar.

Ds’s friend worked somewhere from the age of 17 and had some pretty bad experiences as the place was well known for trouble and drugs. He witnessed someone being glassed and someone overdosing and this had an effect on him.

However lots of other young people I know have worked in places where everything has been fine, the odd bit of trouble but managment clamped down.

At 16 I wouldn’t be keen on this either. I’ve worked in busy bars and there can be a bit of an after hours culture, which she is too young for. If it was a restaurant type place I’d be less concerned. It’s difficult though, because she has got herself a job which you want to encourage.
I’d maybe let her do a trial shift and tell her she doesn’t have to stick with it. You can always encourage her to find something a bit more family focused.
I’d be worried about how she’ll be getting home too. Would you be in a position to pick her up?

Urmmmm!

I think 16 is a bit young. Over 18 fine as I did it myself and loved it. Not sure how much times have changed though.

At 16, yes I would worry. I’m surprised a bar is taking on such young staff.
has she tried McDonalds? They pay decently and are flexible. Our youngest’s experience there has been very positive.

I worked in a bar that had a 16 year old couple as glass collectors. The whole team were quite protective of them as were the locals once they got to know them.

It depends so much on the place and how self-assured and streetwise your daughter is. This young couple were confident for their age and would not hesitate to report problems or bad treatment. Myself at that age would have been like a lamb to the slaughter as I'm socially awkward, a people pleaser and not very confident.

what a fucking stupid comment

Why?

I’d worry about the type of bar I think you are describing staff/customers. A lot of people taking drugs which don’t make them behave well/let’s say not at their best and make me wonder about the state of humanity. A couple more years maybe before faced with that.

A family pub/ restaurant bar should be fine for that age. I’m not saying at 16 they couldn’t cope with seeing a fight/ drunk / rude customers / whinging people - all good skills but better for it to be the exception.

No - my cousin worked in a city centre bar (a "nice" city) when he was about 17/18 collecting glasses and had a dreadful time. He got repeatedly harassed by older women, sometimes in groups, sometimes on their own, and it really effected him - my presumption would be that it would be similar if not worse for young girls.
I know people who run bars (and we're talking nice establishments where people go for a glass of wine after work, not a sketchy place!) and their staff are repeatedly harassed, sometimes followed home after work in the worst cases.
There's much better jobs you can do at that age

The bar itself no, but how late will she work, what is the transport arrangement?

I used to manage a city centre bar. At the time it was big laughs and loving the drama but now I look back at the fact that we had 16/17 year olds as glass collectors/washers and am horrified at the kind of behaviour they routinely witnessed and even were involved in at times. I'd be terrified if I knew my own 16/17 year old was likely to be around that and wouldn't allow it.

At 16, she's too young to be in that environment, and I'd not be comfortable with it. Tescos, McDonalds, any other shop nearby not got part-time vacancies?