Bartenders can be your best friends or your worst enemies, and even sometimes your lover - if you’re interested in contracting an STD. There is nothing more frustrating than wading through a crowd of people to get to the bar, then have the bartender serve everything with a vagina before even acknowledging your existence. Well, just be happy that according to a study, once that bartender does pour you a drink, you’re getting your money’s worth.

The study, done in Northern California counties, found that on average bartenders are exceeding the “standard” size for alcoholic beverages:

The average glass of wine was 43% larger than standard, and the average mixed drink was 42% larger. The average draft beer was 22% larger.

According to the study, from “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” (sending in my subscription request immediately!), the “standard” size for drinks are as follows: 5 ounces for wine, 12 ounces for beer and 1.5 ounces for spirits. This makes sense for beer, seeing as how pint glasses are 16 ounces… and if you’ve ever ordered a wine at a dive bar, it’s pretty much tradition to flip that fancy glass to the lip.

So, remember to tip your bartenders this weekend, since when you think you’ve only had four drinks, it’s probably closer to six. Now I see what T-Pain was talking about!

Original story: Los Angeles Times Blog