Correct form of address for a bartender, or itamae


What is the right way to address the bartender? Or the person preparing sushi?

On a recent visit I heard マスター used to address a bartender, and I already know
that 大将 is one way to address the sushi chef.

I have two questions about both the form of address for a bartender and for
the sushi chef: firstly, are there any other forms I can use in each case?
Secondly, what is the level of formality and familiarity implied by using マスター
and 大将?




This question is more difficult than you might think, because everyone knows
the "correct" answer, but few have actually used it in real life :-)

Well, the "right" answer would be マスター for addressing a bartender and 大将 for
addressing a head sushi chef. Both マスター and 大将 imply that they're the highest
ranked people (ie, shop owners), as you might have already guessed.

However, these words are almost never heard in common sushi-go-round
restaurants or _izakaya_ chains, which I've gotten used to.

マスター/大将 are heard mainly in nonchain, orthodox (and often expensive) bars and
sushi restaurants. I think they sound not only formal but also friendly. If
you are lucky enough to become a 常連 of one of such shops, feel free to address
them using マスター or 大将.

Personally, I've been to such bars/restaurants several times in my life
(usually accompanying someone elder than me). And I have always gotten away
with just cowardly saying すみません or something like that -- feeling that a one-
shot, [青二才](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E9%9D%92%E4%BA%8C%E6%89%8D&ref=sa)
customer like me was not the suitable person to say マスター or 大将 confidently.
People who have a lot of experience of going to such shops may use マスター/大将 on
the first visit, but I'm not very sure.




This question is more difficult than you might think, because everyone knows
the "correct" answer, but few have actually used it in real life :-)

Well, the "right" answer would be マスター for addressing a bartender and 大将 for
addressing a head sushi chef. Both マスター and 大将 imply that they're the highest
ranked people (ie, shop owners), as you might have already guessed.

However, these words are almost never heard in common sushi-go-round
restaurants or _izakaya_ chains, which I've gotten used to.

マスター/大将 are heard mainly in nonchain, orthodox (and often expensive) bars and
sushi restaurants. I think they sound not only formal but also friendly. If
you are lucky enough to become a 常連 of one of such shops, feel free to address
them using マスター or 大将.

Personally, I've been to such bars/restaurants several times in my life
(usually accompanying someone elder than me). And I have always gotten away
with just cowardly saying すみません or something like that -- feeling that a one-
shot, [青二才](http://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E9%9D%92%E4%BA%8C%E6%89%8D&ref=sa)
customer like me was not the suitable person to say マスター or 大将 confidently.
People who have a lot of experience of going to such shops may use マスター/大将 on
the first visit, but I'm not very sure.

