Originally Posted by
Shakermaker Promotions
I agree!
It's all very well saying it's the modern way of scribbling on a pad, and that may well be true BUT.....on every single occasion I have experienced it personally (and thinking about it, it's actually happened 3 times), it has been a very annoying experience. I don't appreciate anything being thrust in my face (no matter what it is), let alone a phone held by somebody who can't be bothered to communicate respectfully.
Long gone are the days (sadly) when people used to literally queue up by the booth when I was DJing in clubs to either lean over and shout a request in my ear, or scribble a handful of requests on to my pad (I went through loads of pens in those days too!). I miss those days and that interaction.
Instead, a guy comes up to me at a wedding. I spot him from across the dance floor, trying to get my attention. I watch him as he makes his way across the dance floor, typing stuff into his phone, almost oblivious to those around him who actually know how to enjoy themselves and are dancing.
He approaches me, smiles and then shoves his phone in my direction, right under my nose. I read what's written on the screen and it is a request - I don't remember it word for word, but it was something like - "Do you have Nirvana - In Bloom?" - I must admit, that was the first time it had ever happened to me. I laughed at first, and for a split second I thought of doing what Benny mentioned and grabbing his phone and replying "Yes" and leaving it at that, but I didn't. I read it, laughed and nodded my head and that was it. He smiled and walked off. No "Thank you" or anything, and I stood there wondering what had just happened.
Apart from the other time I mentioned in a previous reply, there was another occasion where I was DJing and I was already talking to somebody about a request. Somebody that actually bothered to come over and TALK.....yes, TALK to me and ASK me face to face if I could play something for them. As I stood there with them, a very pretty girl approached me with 2 friends in tow. She looked at me, smiled and then shoved her phone under my nose. I looked at the screen, smiled back and said "Sorry, I don't have that". She said nothing. She just started writing something on her phone INCHES away from me, head down whilst the 2 girls with her just stood there and said nothing. After 20 or so seconds (long enough to actually ASK me), she shoved the phone under my nose again, and there was another request on the screen. I nodded, she smiled, and then left with her friends.
I must admit, I was lost for words. I said nothing. The guy who had been stood with me and had asked for a request, turned to me and said "Did that really just happen?".....
In my opinion (and it's just my opinion), it is never too loud to get your words across. To me, part of the job is being accessible and approachable.
When I was a kid and went along to family discos at the local social club, or parties where there was a DJ, it almost felt like a dare at times going to speak to the DJ to ask for a request. When you did muster up the courage to go over and see them, it felt good and it was great that they weren't as scary as you'd expected. When they played your request or even better, dedicated it to you, it made you feel good. When I started DJing, I made sure that I was approachable and no matter how busy I may have been / may be, I always made / make a point of smiling, and being as approachable as possible, especially with those that I can tell are possibly nervous.
I'd rather have people shouting over the music at me, than a phone thrust in my face. If somebody did that to me when I wasn't working, they would more than likely lose their phone, or have to go running to find it.
When I did the parties for the austistic junior school, it was a pleasure. None of them got on their phones to request songs. They loved the fact that they could come over and speak to the DJ, and I really enjoyed talking to them, rather than standing there like a robot.