Shawn Talbot is an educator turned Marketing Coordinator for Goslings and a part-time bartender at the Dog House on Front Street. He talked to us about his experience in the industry, feminism, and why it’s time to bring men into the conversation.

Tell us about your journey.

“I was born in Bermuda, moved away to Montreal, Canada, and recently moved back full-time. I studied education and set out to be an economics teacher, but quickly found that it wasn’t the right path for me. I’ve been with the Dog House since its opening in Summer of 2017. I now work full-time as Marketing and Event Coordinator at Goslings, and am at Dog House on weekends.”

What are your hobbies?

“I enjoy boxing, playing the ukulele, painting and taking naps on the beach (one of my more preferred “hobbies”), I believe it’s important to vary them, to stay stimulated and avoid being unenthused with your life.”

Who are the main women in your life?

“My Granny was my rock; she shaped the person I am today. She raised me to have respect, morals and determination, and to keep my head on straight –– school, sports and family. I have also had strong, brilliant female teachers who paved the way for me.”

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

“100% yes. Growing up in Montreal, Canada –– a city filled with culture, activists, artists –– has really help me shape a conscious view of the world we live in. Feminism is a part of that. I am an advocate for the equality of humans.”

Many believe that we’re at the point that men can, and should, be a part of the conversations about women. What do you think?

“I truly believe that they should be in the conversation. Nowadays, there are a lot more open-minded people who don’t necessarily believe in “traditional” binary views, i.e. “women have this role and men have this role in society”. This just isn’t the way life is anymore. The only way to continue to break down these walls, whether for race or sex or something else, is to continue to talk about them, and continue to share each other’s knowledge and own perspectives. In the end, enlightened people will overthrow the small-minded; everything just takes time I suppose.”

You meet many different women in your line of work, what is your general view of women in the bar?

“You name it, and I have seen it. The club scene attracts people from A to Z. My general view is that women tend to “live in the moment” more than men would. They let loose, dance and appear to have a much better time, while men may have ulterior motives at times. All this depends on the night and crowd (and full moon sometimes). Perhaps women don’t care what others think as much. I see far less men out there busting a move.”

Do you meet a lot of female bartenders? Have you worked with them? Does that change the atmosphere?

“I have not met many, although the ones I have met were awesome. I have only had the chance to work with one here in Bermuda, and she is at the Dog House. I cannot say that her gender has changed the experience. She’s is an attractive woman, so she naturally gets more attention, but this is just human nature. To my knowledge, she isn’t treated any differently by staff or customers, mainly because she’s back there making drinks just as fast, or even faster than the guys are.”

This article was originally published in the Fall 2018 edition of RG Magazine.

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