Alcohol Server · Recognizing Intoxication

A customer who arrives already showing signs of intoxication should be:

Correct answer

Not served alcohol, since serving an already-intoxicated person is prohibited

  1. A Served quickly to keep them happy
  2. B Ignored
  3. C Not served alcohol, since serving an already-intoxicated person is prohibited
  4. D Given a double

Why this is the answer

A customer who arrives already showing signs of intoxication should not be served alcohol, because serving an obviously intoxicated person is illegal and increases the risk of harm. The server's responsibility to assess intoxication applies from the moment the customer seeks service, not only after they have been drinking on the premises. The server can offer water, food, or assistance and, where appropriate, help arrange safe transportation, but should refuse further alcohol. Recognizing pre-existing intoxication is a key responsible-service skill.
Source: Responsible Beverage Service — Pre-Intoxicated Customers

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About this topic: Recognizing Intoxication

Recognizing intoxication means reading the behavioural signs — slurred speech, loss of coordination, impaired judgement, changes in mood — rather than counting drinks. These questions cover the signs, the traffic-light assessment approach and when the point of no further service has been reached. This is one of 13 Seller-Server questions on recognizing intoxication, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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