SmartServe Ontario Practice Exam 2025 - Free SmartServe Practice Questions and Study Guide

Monitoring guests' speech patterns and coordination is essential for assessing signs of intoxication. As a server, being attentive to how a guest is speaking—such as slurring words or having difficulty articulating their thoughts—can provide clear indicators of their level of intoxication. Similarly, observing physical coordination, like how well they walk or balance, can reveal if they might be over the legal limit for alcohol consumption.

Assessing only one aspect of behavior, such as emotional state, is insufficient because intoxication can manifest in various ways, including through speech and physical control. While it is beneficial to be aware of a guest's overall demeanor, this alone does not provide a comprehensive picture of their intoxication level.

Monitoring a server’s own alcohol consumption or the rate at which guests are consuming non-alcoholic beverages is also important, but these factors are not direct indicators of a guest's intoxication. Instead, the focus should remain on the guests’ behaviors, particularly in terms of communication and physical abilities, to ensure responsible service and adherence to safety protocols.