The problem is one of “unwritten rules.”
Many are left wondering, “What did I do wrong?”
I used to believe that anyone who violated the social norms enough to be ejected from a bar was just downright ridiculous and deserved to be kicked out anyway. But now, I’m not so sure.
There is a huge issue with Auburn bouncers in that they feel a sense of entitlement.
Yes that’s right, we’ve all seen them.
The obnoxious bouncer that has probably just hit puberty and has a lot of lost time to make up for. You want to be their friend when you’re sober, and don’t care if they’re you’re enemy once you’ve had a few.
But the most important concern is one of regulation, how do we manage these individuals with such power?
Think about it for a moment.
They know us at our most vulnerable moments, and have an opinion about our mainstay at an establishment that we paid to be at!
The problem tonight came down to, like I said before, “unwritten rules.”
The owner of the bar argued that there were rules which were not posted, that were expected to be followed.
How are we as a student body supposed to follow rules that are not stated when we are intoxicated?
This is ridiculous—and the owner apparently agreed, as he gave each and everyone of us our $5 back (the cost to get in).
Of course this was after he invited us all back in the establishment. Apparently he knew that his bouncer was out of line.
This leads me to the question: do only the students who have the courage to stand up to intimidation receive justice? Probably.
Whatever happens, this issue is one that deserves awareness.
The next time you come in contact with the obnoxious bouncer ask yourself—is it me?
Or was my treatment the result of an ego the size if Auburn University itself ?
It just takes one run-in with the law to change your perspective on how much you drink and how you act when you do.
While you are right that the code of conduct isn't posted in each and every bar in Auburn, there is a reason for it: common sense. But common sense, despite its name, is usually subjective. What might make sense to you might not make sense to others.
I think there is one telling point in your comments. When you ask, "How are we as a student body supposed to follow rules that are not stated when we are intoxicated?" you raise a point that many people don't understand about bars: you don't go to them to get intoxicated. There is a huge difference between having a couple of drinks to unwind from the day and blowing a wad of cash to get hammered. While bars appreciate your patronage, they're not wanting to you come in and spend your last dollar. That's just bad business - they want you to keep coming back to spend money.
So maybe you should reconsider your standards for consumption. The next you go out, don't get drunk and you'll be less likely to violate an "unwritten rule."