Before deciding if a customer is intoxicated, what additional action might be taken in an off-premise situation?

In an off-premise situation, where the bartender or server is not directly witnessing the customer consuming alcohol, engaging the customer in conversation becomes crucial. This interaction allows the server to assess the customer's speech, behavior, and responsiveness to determine if they might be intoxicated. Engaging in conversation can provide valuable information about the customer's level of intoxication even if direct observation of alcohol consumption is not possible.

While asking the customer to evaluate their own intoxication level might seem like a reasonable approach, it is not always reliable as intoxicated individuals may underestimate their level of intoxication. Encouraging the customer to purchase non-alcoholic beverages can be a proactive approach to promote responsible drinking but might not directly help in assessing whether the customer is intoxicated in an off-premise setting. Observing the customer's purchasing habits may not provide sufficient information to determine if they are intoxicated without direct observation of their behavior.