https://www.proz.com/kudoz/german-to-english/other/2134-wirt-wirtin-kellnerin-kellner-barman-guy-behi.html

Wirt, Wirtin, Kellnerin, Kellner, barman, guy behi

English translation: waitperson, waitstaff

07:41 Apr 30, 2000
German to English translations [PRO]
German term or phrase: Wirt, Wirtin, Kellnerin, Kellner, barman, guy behi
Wirt, Wirtin, Kellnerin, Kellner, barman, guy behind the bar, bartender, publican, waiter, waitress, bargirl, etc. - This is much harder than it looks. - I need ONE WORD or ONE VERY SHORT PHRASE, politically correct and unisex, that will cover anybody and everybody who could serve a customer a beer in a Canadian bar.
Dan McCrosky (X)
Local time: 14:50
English translation:waitperson, waitstaff
Explanation:
I would agree that bartender is probably the best and easiest choice. Just thought, though, for your edification, that I'd throw in the terms that are being used around here these days (I live in a resort area, thus there is a large population of waiters, waitresses, etc. around here.) As noted by one of the other contributors, server is being used a lot. (Hi, I'm Mary, and I'll be your server tonight.) Also, when referring to the waiters/waitresses as a whole, waitstaff, and waitperson when referring to one individually. I don't imagine it will fit into your context, but at least you know what's being used in "real life" America these days... :-)
Selected response from:

Ulrike Lieder (X)
Local time: 05:50
Grading comment
Thank you all. I picked this one because it contained the only terms that were new to me: server, waitperson and waitstaff. My first reaction was that uel was pulling my leg. They sound crazy to me living in isolation here in Hamburg, but that's the advantage of the KudoZ system. There is always somebody somewhere who has first hand experience in every field.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
nabartender
Andrea Nemeth-Newhauser
naBartender or Barperson
Agius Language & Translation
naBar staff
Nick Smith, BA (Hons.), Dipl. Uebers. (FH Koeln)
nawaitperson, waitstaff
Ulrike Lieder (X)
naBarkeep or Barkeeper
Iain Purvis


  

Answers


9 mins
bartender


Explanation:
As far as I know, bartender is PC and unisex. See the following:
Chic Bartender - hot babe working at a chic club.

Funky Bartender - groovy woman working at a funky pub.
http://cinetopia.net/treatment.html

Out of a similar consideration, waiters/waitresses call themselves servers these days.

Andrea Nemeth-Newhauser
Local time: 05:50
Native speaker of: Hungarian
PRO pts in pair: 53
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13 mins
Bartender or Barperson


Explanation:
Both PC and Unisex in the UK and I would think so elsewhere. I think Bartender would be more common in Canada???

Agius Language & Translation
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 132
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1 hr
Bar staff


Explanation:
I don't know about Canada but in the UK the phrase "bar staff" is commonly used. Bartender may be the US/Canadian equivalent

Nick Smith, BA (Hons.), Dipl. Uebers. (FH Koeln)
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:50
PRO pts in pair: 28
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1 hr
waitperson, waitstaff


Explanation:
I would agree that bartender is probably the best and easiest choice. Just thought, though, for your edification, that I'd throw in the terms that are being used around here these days (I live in a resort area, thus there is a large population of waiters, waitresses, etc. around here.) As noted by one of the other contributors, server is being used a lot. (Hi, I'm Mary, and I'll be your server tonight.) Also, when referring to the waiters/waitresses as a whole, waitstaff, and waitperson when referring to one individually. I don't imagine it will fit into your context, but at least you know what's being used in "real life" America these days... :-)

Ulrike Lieder (X)
Local time: 05:50
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in pair: 3525
Grading comment
Thank you all. I picked this one because it contained the only terms that were new to me: server, waitperson and waitstaff. My first reaction was that uel was pulling my leg. They sound crazy to me living in isolation here in Hamburg, but that's the advantage of the KudoZ system. There is always somebody somewhere who has first hand experience in every field.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 hrs
Barkeep or Barkeeper


Explanation:
A term from english pubs, which I have also encountered in the USA.

Iain Purvis
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 88
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