What is the definition of “over-serving” in a restaurant context?

The definition of "over-serving" in a restaurant context specifically refers to serving a customer more alcohol than they can safely handle. This practice poses significant risks, including the potential for alcohol poisoning and other health-related issues. It can also lead to dangerous situations outside the establishment, such as impaired driving or other irresponsible behaviors.

In the context of responsible service and compliance with laws surrounding alcohol consumption, training programs emphasize the importance of recognizing the signs of intoxication and knowing when to stop serving a customer to ensure their safety and the safety of others. This understanding is crucial for servers, as over-serving can result in legal repercussions for the establishment and compromise customer welfare.

The other options do not capture the essence of over-serving. For example, serving drinks during happy hour, offering complimentary drinks, or encouraging customers to try new drinks are all acceptable practices within normal operations, provided that they are managed responsibly and do not lead to excess consumption that compromises patron safety.