Bartender

I work out of the Grand Hyatt area in Mumbai, specifically over in Santacruz East off the Western Express Highway. Afsar Khan is the name I go by, and bartending is what I do here. If you know the hotel, you’ve probably seen how busy it gets with events and people coming through every day. Most of my time is spent making drinks and keeping the bar setup ready for whatever function is happening. It’s a fast-paced kind of job. You really have to stay on your feet for hours. Being right on the highway is a big plus for the location, although Santacruz traffic is a nightmare during the evening rush. I don't have my own shop; my whole work life is centered at the Hyatt. Dealing with all kinds of people, from locals to folks visiting from abroad, keeps things interesting. My main goal is just getting the orders right and keeping the inventory in check. Having done this for a while, the noise and the crowds don’t really bother me anymore. It’s definitely not a desk job. Most days involve being behind the counter or sorting things out in the back storage area. It’s just practical, hands-on work. You show up, finish your shift, and hope the guests liked their drinks. That’s really all there is to it when you’ve been doing it this long.