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Alcohol Server · Recognizing Intoxication

Which is the most reliable basis for a server's decision that a customer is intoxicated?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Observed physical and behavioral signs of impairment

  1. A The customer's own claim that they are fine
  2. B The customer's clothing
  3. C Observed physical and behavioral signs of impairment
  4. D How much they tipped

Why this is the answer

The most reliable basis for deciding a customer is intoxicated is the server's own observation of physical and behavioral signs of impairment — slurred speech, poor coordination, bloodshot eyes, impaired judgment, and behavioral changes. A customer's self-assessment ('I'm fine') is unreliable, since impaired judgment is itself a symptom of intoxication. Servers are trained to trust observable signs over a customer's reassurances or irrelevant factors. Basing service decisions on careful observation is the professional, defensible approach to identifying intoxication.
Source: Responsible Beverage Service — Basis for Decisions

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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.

New to this exam? Our Alcohol Server exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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