Bar staff banned from saying ‘same again’ to drinkers in case they get too drunk

Pub staff are being told to stop saying a popular phrase to those drinking at their establishment as it may encourage drinkers to get too drunk.

A new ruling from the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking says bartenders should not ask certain questions to those who may be after another tipple. Asking "same again?" or "is that a double?" could be ruled out entirely.

Online courses are set to be offered to those who cannot stop themselves from using the presumptive language, which may be doing more harm than good. The free lessons are aiming to provide less booze to customers who may go overboard.

READ MORE: Surprise city is Britain's boozer heartland with more pubs than anywhere else in UK

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Experts hope they can nip the bud of presumptive language, which makes customers "feel pressured to drink" according to guidance found on the course. There will also be less disparaging of those who opt for low or no-alcohol beverages.

Guidance for trainees reads: "Avoid using presumptive language: it can make customers feel pressured to drink. For example, don’t say ‘same again?’ Instead say ‘what would you like this time?’ Don’t say ‘do you want a large?’. Instead say ‘would you like a small or large measure?'"

The IARD, which is supported by the likes of Heineken, Pernod Ricard, Diageo, AB InBev, Beam Suntory and Brown-Forman are supporting the new plan. The new plan is dedicated to reducing harmful drinking, The Sun reported.

Henry Ashworth – president and chief executive of IARD – said: "IARD member companies support retailers’ and hospitality venues’ efforts to have their staff sell and serve alcohol beverages responsibly, to help prevent sale and service to those underage or knowingly intoxicated.

"Towards this, we are proud to launch our latest resources that can be used to give staff the confidence to deny sales and service where necessary. Together, we can help ensure the positive declines in harmful drinking seen in many parts of the world continue to spread, creating long-lasting changes in communities across the world."

Pubs may be a problem of the past soon enough, with an artificial intelligence predicting when the UK population will dwindle to the point of only half of the establishments remaining open.

Over the next 27 years, it is predicted pubs across the country could take a massive hit and nearly half the currently open 46,800 establishments could call time. It comes as the UK went from 60,000 pubs in 2000 to 46,800 by 2020.

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