Köbes
A Köbes (pronounced like 'kur-bess') is a waiter in traditional pubs in the Rhineland part of Germany, especially in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Krefeld.
A Köbes wears a blue apron and blue jacket and has a big leather belt with a leather purse. He serves beer and food to guests and replaces empty beer glasses with full ones until the customer either places a beermat on his glass to signal that he doesn't want any more, or until the customer asks to pay.
The word Köbes comes from the name Jakob in a local dialect.
Books
- Michael Scuffil: Drink doch ene mit! Der kölsche Köbes, published by Verlag Emons in Cologne, Edition 1, April 2007, 47 pages, in five languages, hardbound, ISBN 978-3-89705-505-6