Ed Vinson of Sassy Ann's

They stand there night after night, enabling your inebriation, more and more privy to your joys and sorrows as the booze loosens your lips. “My woman left me!” “I've lost my cat's respect!” “I lost my job. They say, a computer can do my job better than I can damn do it!”

They've heard it all.

Which is why we're seeking their advice to your questions. If you've turned to family, friends and God, but they won't or can't help you, or you'd just like a bartender's perspective, send your queries to dawson@knoxvoice.com, and we'll figure some things out for you.

From behind the bar at Sassy Ann's, Ed Vinson has the distinct opportunity to observe middle-aged blues fans, hipster dance parties and fraternity/sorority shenanigans at the Fourth and Gill area club. He shared some of his hard earned wisdom with us recently.

I've met a seemingly fantastic woman, but she seems to enjoy playing mind games. If I act like I'm interested, she pulls away. As soon as I give up, she comes right on back. Then once I'm interested again, she turns cold. Should I just give up altogether?

My advice is to stay out there, keep your options open and enjoy, but I wouldn't turn this off completely. Sounds like it could be high maintenance, but you could just be a glutton for punishment.

If someone gives you a business card at a bar, is that the same thing as giving you their digits, or are the implications different?

Sounds like a cautious opening of the door. Like, ‘Let's meet for drinks instead of dinner.' That way you're not as committed to the date. Yeah, call, why not? All they can say is ‘No.'

As a bartender, have you developed a sense of who's going to hook-up for the night and who's not? What are the tip offs?

You can definitely see the ones who are going to fail, especially the guys. You can't really put your finger on what they're doing wrong. They just can't connect. Guys who don't take themselves too seriously are the most successful, especially the ones who get out there and dance. If you don't dance you're 90 percent likely to get shot down.

What do you think the chances are of a relationship that started out by hooking-up in a bar lasting?

I've seen it go both ways. My best friend met her husband in a bar, and they're still together years later.

Is there really a secret ingredient in Jagermeister besides alcohol that makes you act like a fool?

No, I think it's the mindset. It's preset in your thinking: If you're ready to drink Jager, you're ready to cut loose. It's really not even that high in alcohol. It's only 70 proof. It just has a reputation for some reason.