opinionated alchemist | bar-log
F&B ribbons for bartenders & waiters - service staff?
Friday, 27.November 2009
Recognition ribbons and awards.
![As a matter of fact, this topic is bothering me for quite a while - though my thoughts never became so calm to reveal it.
The global system in hotels and gastronomy of recognizing and promoting staff is useless.
If you want to be bartender / waiter it is difficult to distinguish yourself. And I think, who ever is a good bartender or waiter, doesn’t necessary need to be a good supervisor or manager.
The structure and hierarchies of the kitchen brigade in France was already strictly organized by a certain Monsieur Escoffier. This was in the late eighteen-hundreds, and it was soon conferred to the other departments of the hotel - especially the service staff!

Though today, due to the globalization, the American way of hospitality [with lesser hierarchies] was established.
And there lays the obvious problem!
See me: I would honestly love to be a senior bartender, or a head bartender. Though monetary as responsibility-wise I just cannot afford to be one! This is because of the few levels or hierarchy - the distance between new assigned barman and decorated senior bartender is just too close and the benefits in lower ranks are ridiculous.
It is often difficult to motivate staff, as they have sometimes not the glimpse of a chance to get promoted - though otherwise don’t get further benefits, like higher salaries nor in larger teams any responsibilities.
To go back to the classic French system is an intimidating idea.
Though it would be rather clever, to understand the background of the system.
Which was the military!
Thats why Escoffier called it Brigade de la cuisine.
Obviously also military command structures changed. So why not adapt [at least the service staff] hierarchy this way?
Of course for me, the idea to be called commander is pleasing. Yet it is! Oh year.... Who0ya!
But well, thats irrelevant.
Though the great number of different ribbons, seems for me intriguing.
Below just the ribbons and awards of the US Marine Corps:
Marine Corps Medal of Honor:

Navy Cross:

Defense Distinguished Service Medal:

Navy Distinguished Service Medal:

Silver Star:

Defense Superior Service Medal:

Legion of Merit:

Distinguished Flying Cross:

Navy & Marine Corps Medal:

Bronze Star Medal:

Purple Heart:

Defense Meritorious Service Medal:

Meritiorious Service Medal:

Air Medal:

Joint Service Commendation Medal:

Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal:

Joint Service Achievement Medal:

Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal:

Combat Action Ribbon:

Navy Presidential Unit Citation:

Joint Meritorious Unit Award:

Navy Unit Commendation:

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation:

Navy "E" Ribbon:

Prisoner of War Medal:

Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal:

Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal:

Marine Corps Exp. Medal:

China Service Medal:

American Defense Medal:

American Campaign Medal:

European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal:

Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal:

WWII Victory Medal:

Navy Occupation Service:

Medal for Humane Action:

National Defense Service Medal:

Korean Service Medal:

Antarctica Service Medal:

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal:

Vietnam Service Medal:

Southwest Asia Service Medal:

Armed Forces Service Medal:

Humanitarian Service Medal:

Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal:

Navy Sea Service Deployment:

Navy Arctic Service Ribbon:

Navy & Marine Overseas Service Ribbon:

Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon:

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon:

Marine Security Guard Ribbon:

Armed Forces Reserve Medal:

Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon: (Obsolete)

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation:

Korean Presidential Unit Citation:

Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation:

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation:

Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation:

Philippine Defense Medal:

Philippine Liberation Ribbon:

Philippine Independence Ribbon:

United Nations Service Medal:

United Nations Medal:

NATO Medal:

Multinational Force & Observers Medal:

Inter-American Defense Board Medal:

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal:

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia):

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait):

Impressive, isn’t it? You see, that the US Armed Forces know how to keep their staff happy...
And these are not only medals for distinguished service. There are also basic ones - like certification of graduating a specific courses [airborne, special weapon skills etc.] or participating of a specific campaign.
You might be confused now! Bartenders to your weapons?
Off course not. But why don’t we make smaller steps, basic, up to comprehensive knowledge as ability tests, not only to train and motivate the staff - but also to award and praise them!
Appraisal templates today are so soft and so weeny, that you can’t judge someone really sharp!
The focus is on soft and people skills, that there is not much to rate, when it comes to ability!
C’mon somebody who shows reasonable basics like punctuality, little interest, and an agreeable approach and little intelligence, could come out of an appraisal as a saint. He/she could be knowledge-wise a completely dork and could have two left hands... and it wouldn’t matter.
The problem in operation is, that usually managers do not attentively recognize their staff. Off course, you don’t want to congratulate a waiter, if he set up a table properly, of if a bartender did a proper G&T.
I have to say: in the hotel chains, there are recognition programs [points, stars, what ever]- but honestly, due to the fact that it is often so subjective; and as there is always only a winner, a second and third place, almost nobody seems to care.
Let us focus here on bartending [As I sorta know much more about tending as about serving...].
There could be the possibility to start with an simple outlet ribbon, going over to basic/higher/advanced hygiene knowledge. Then again basic/higher/advanced prep of garnish. Basic knowledge about spirits, about wine, about beer.
And it even can get higher than advanced knowledge about Whisk[e]y, Brandy, Gin and Rum [..].
And so on. Not to forget: a distinguished service ribbon. And again specific promotion / event / project ribbons.
It would need just a clever hand, to design an appropriate uniform, to display everyone ribbons. It honestly shouldn’t look ridiculous but graceful.
Though I am sure, that the staff would be proud to wear, some more or less hard earned ribbons.
Naturally the compensation and rank, supposed to be also adapted to the diligence of the respective person.
Am I too illusional here? Or can you comprehend my intention?
It would be great, if you could comment about this...](27_F%26B_ribbons_for_bartenders_%26_waiters_-_service_staff_files/shapeimage_2.png)
