Nathan Thompson of Preservation Pub

When we, sitting at the bar at Preservation Pub in Market Square on a Sunday afternoon with a copy of the previous KV, turned to “Ask a Bartender” in order to hit bartender Nathan Thompson up for an interview at his place of business, a Pub regular saw the column and said: “Somebody should ask Nathan. He gives good advice. He gives me advice sometimes.” You couldn't ask for a better endorsement than from a regular hanging out at the bar, hammered at 5 o'clock on a Sunday, so we knew we had chosen well.

Questions and concerns for your area bartenders can be sent to dawson@knoxvoice.com.

I recently started seeing a guy. I like him a lot, we have a lot in common and get along really well. One thing we don't have in common, though, is our political views. They couldn't be more different. It's kind of fun now to debate those sorts of things with him, but as the relationship starts to get more serious, I'm wondering if it won't become a problem. What are the chances of this ruining an otherwise good relationship?

I wouldn't keep dating a girl in this situation because it would just give her another reason to argue with me. They'll be enough of those in any relationship, so if you already know this is going to be a problem, forget it. If the person is extremely hot, I might reconsider, though.

My girlfriend and I were watching Lost together on DVD. She had other commitments, sometimes like going out with her friends, that prevented her from watching episodes at the rate I wanted to. So I went ahead and watched a few episodes without her. Now she's pissed. I said I'd watch those episodes again with her, but she can't be reasoned with. She says it's not the same. Do you think she's being unreasonable?

Definitely. If she cared that much in the first place, she would have been home with me. Get off my back, woman!

My boyfriend is a big flirt. I knew that when I started going out with him, and I enjoyed the attention he gave me when he flirted with me. I know it's mostly harmless – he's an outgoing, gregarious guy. It still bothers me, though, and when I mention it to him, he laughs it off and says I'm insecure and jealous. Do you think I have a cause to be worried?

Leave him alone until he crosses the line. Don't worry about it too much; it's a waste of energy. You said yourself you knew he was a flirt when you started seeing him.

Do bartenders drink indiscriminately since they're behind the bar with all that booze, or do they settle on a favorite drink?

Well, first of all, it's illegal to drink behind the bar. But when I'm not working, I'm usually a vodka drinker. And High Life because it's cheap for me here. So, yeah, I usually drink the same thing, but will occasionally switch it up.