A customer appears to be showing signs of intoxication (slurred speech, difficulty balancing) but claims they are just tired after a long day of work. What is the most appropriate action for a server to take?

Question: A customer appears to be showing signs of intoxication (slurred speech, difficulty balancing) but claims they are just tired after a long day of work. What is the most appropriate action for a server to take?

Answer options:

• Continue serving alcohol as long as they state they are not intoxicated. ✅ Refuse further service of alcohol immediately and politely offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
• Serve one more alcoholic drink cautiously and observe their behaviour closely.
• Ask a colleague to serve the customer to avoid a confrontation.

Correct answer: Refuse further service of alcohol immediately and politely offer non-alcoholic alternatives.

Explanation: Servers have a legal and ethical responsibility to refuse service to intoxicated individuals, regardless of their claims. Slurred speech and difficulty balancing are clear signs of intoxication, and continuing to serve would be a violation of the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act. Offering non-alcoholic options is a responsible way to manage the situation. Serving one more drink or passing the responsibility to a colleague would both be irresponsible and potentially lead to further intoxication and liability.