How Much more Humble were you in the Beginning??

[StarZSoundS]

Does the thousands of hours you have put in behind the decks qualify you to challenge a customer if you think they are wrong??:confused: :confused:

Do you wish you could be more humble when you speak to your customers...or do you wish you could be more forceful.:eek: :eek:

If I had a leaky boiler and called a Plumber/Gasman I would listen to his analysis of the situation.Have you had occasions where the Customer seems to know better??:bang: :bang:

[womble]

Have you had occasions where the Customer seems to know better??:bang: :bang:

Only a couple of times a week...

[Mayhem 1]

There is always times when the customer think they know better....

Especially at primary school parties. I have lost count how many times the pta have come up to me during the change over from littlies to juniors and said "Play just disco music for the bigger ones"

Part two starts, I start off with just disco music and the result is the boys sliding around on their knees, playing football with any vaguely round object and the girls getting really stressed with them so they just sit in a group texting each other.

Evening swithced to "Mayhem Mode" with party dances and games etc and everyone joins in and has a good time.


Result - pta come up and apologies to me for trying to tell me my job!!

[RabbittsKaraoke]

Part two starts, I start off with just disco music and the result is the boys sliding around on their knees, playing football with any vaguely round object and the girls getting really stressed with them so they just sit in a group texting each other.




Sounds like a few of my gigs :o :o ;)

[StarZSoundS]

Result - pta come up and apologies to me for trying to tell me my job!!

Good example Garry!!!:) :) :) :) :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[robbiedj]

I would never have started if I had been humble.

My very first gig was for a local boys club. I had been to an "old boys" fundraiser and commented that the dj was terrible, saying "If I can't do better than that I want shooting!"

They said "OK, we have another in 4 weeks .... and you're doing it" :eek:

Next morning I looked at my options, lots of vinyl, microphone and 100wt Marshal PA amp. Well, it was a start. I then went out to get the rest, buying Wharfdale speakers and building cases. a set of 2nd hand Gerrards twin deck (from a Soho strip club which was up-grading) was next. I had a friend who worked for the council traffic division who built me what was probably the first set of "traffic lights" (genuine traffic light controllers), the UV strip from the family fish tank, and I was away.

I did all their fundraisers from then on and it just went from there.

Humility had nothing to do with it. :devil: :devil: :devil:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

There are ways and means of telling clients what they need and want if you don't think what they are asking is going to go down well.

[Excalibur]

There are ways and means of telling clients what they need and want if you don't think what they are asking is going to go down well.

:Censored: off and let me do the job I'm being paid for, you :muppet: ?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:Censored: off and let me do the job I'm being paid for, you :muppet: ?

That's the one! :D

[rob1963]

:Censored: off and let me do the job I'm being paid for, you :muppet: ?


That's the one! :D

Alternatively, there is the more polite version: "I won't tell you how to do YOUR job, so please don't tell me how to do MINE!"

[Shakermaker Promotions]

The thing is Rob, I don't actually think what you have said is more polite to be honest. I have never said that and I don't think I would as I would interpret that as being really rude if someone said it to me.

Despite my past reports and mentions of shall we say, awkward people...I am NEVER rude and I try to be as polite and professional as I can at all times.

I have found in the past, hotel staff thinking that they know better. I have had (like most of us) the old "Hello mate, I used to do a bit of DJing.." scenario. I generally nod and say "Nice" and then get on with what I'm doing.

I think I have had one customer in the past that has not listened to what I have told them about certain things and it's backfired on them because the function didn't go as well as it could have. It was to do with song choices and more or less not playing what anyone else wanted, just what the customer wanted. I've learnt from that and it was a long time ago.

If you use the words..."In my experience.." or "I'd advise.." in a calm manner then generally you get listened to. If the customer didn't want to listen or wouldn't take my advice (seeing as I have experience and do it week in, week out), then these days I would more than likely turn the job down.

[Corabar Entertainment]

The thing is Rob, I don't actually think what you have said is more polite to be honest. I have never said that and I don't think I would as I would interpret that as being really rude if someone said it to me.:agree: The only way it is more 'polite' is that there's no swearing

[rob1963]

The thing is Rob, I don't actually think what you have said is more polite to be honest.

How can you say that, Gary?

Of COURSE my version is more polite.

Have another look at the two versions:


:Censored: off and let me do the job I'm being paid for, you :muppet: ?


"I won't tell you how to do YOUR job, so please don't tell me how to do MINE!"

My version is more polite because firstly it doesn't involve telling them to :Censored: off & secondly it doesn't involve calling them a muppet.


:agree: The only way it is more 'polite' is that there's no swearing

Exactly, Angela (except my version also avoids calling them a derogatory name).

There you go...something we virtually agree on!

:D

[StarZSoundS]

Ok lets throw this into the mix.......


The Guest is clearly drunk and you (being the proffessional you are) are stone cold sober.

Does this not give you(and your judgement)the upper hand??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Corabar Entertainment]

There you go...something we virtually agree on!

:DOh, so you think your reply is rude, too? :D

[Excalibur]

:agree: The only way it is more 'polite' is that there's no swearing

Point of order. As dictated by Forum Rules ( which we all know by heart, and adhere to diligently ) there were no expletives in my post as these were substituted by the appropriate smilies. What they mean is entirely in your own minds.

" Honi soit, qui mal y pense" ( Whoops, there goes rule 23 again. :o :o :o :o :o :o )

[rob1963]

Oh, so you think your reply is rude, too? :D

Yes, but still more polite than Peter's version, as I previously stated.

I've never said anything remotely resembling either version to a client or member of venue staff.

I'm far too polite for that!

:D :D :D

[Excalibur]

Yes, but still more polite than Peter's version, as I previously stated.

I've never said anything remotely resembling either version to a client or member of venue staff.

I'm far too polite for that!

:D :D :D

:fp:


Mind you, I'd lay serious money you've thought it more than omce or twice. :D :D :D :D

[rob1963]

Mind you, I'd lay serious money you've thought it more than once or twice. :D :D :D :D

Damn right I have!

:D :D :D

[Excalibur]

Damn right I have!

:D :D :D

Language Timothy. :Naughty:

[rob1963]

:sorry:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

The problem is (and this may be a different thread altogeather?) we got out to different venues week in, week out.

What makes me laugh is this.... You go to a Bar/Club etc where there is music played, lots of people and alcohol and there are doorstaff looking after you and keeping an eye on everything.

You do a function for 150 people in a marquee or function suite at a hotel or village hall, social club etc and where are those doorstaff? Shouldn't it be the norm' to have doorstaff? I've never really thought about it that deep to be honest but when you do think about it, you realise that every week at every venue, we put ourselves at risk. You never know when or if something is going to happen do you so I think sometimes, for your own safety...if you are dealing with the drunk that keeps hassling you, you have to keep your cool and put up with it to some extent.

Ok, in a hotel more often than not there will be someone on hand that you can ask to have a word with said drunk or hassler but it's not always the case at other venues.

However, to answer the question "How would you deal with a drunk...?..etc". I don't know until it happens to be totally honest. As I said, I always try to be as polite as possible for as long as I can. Have a bit of a joke with them and tell them to go off and enjoy themselves. If they became aggressive towards me and I thought I was at risk or my equipment was at risk, I would notify the person who booked me. If it was that person who was getting aggressive then I would tell them (advise/inform them) in no uncertain terms that if they continued getting aggressive that I would stop what I am doing. It has never happened and I don't expect it to but you have to be prepared.

[StarZSoundS]

The problem is (and this may be a different thread altogeather?) we got out to different venues week in, week out.

What makes me laugh is this.... You go to a Bar/Club etc where there is music played, lots of people and alcohol and there are doorstaff looking after you and keeping an eye on everything.

You do a function for 150 people in a marquee or function suite at a hotel or village hall, social club etc and where are those doorstaff? Shouldn't it be the norm' to have doorstaff? I've never really thought about it that deep to be honest but when you do think about it, you realise that every week at every venue, we put ourselves at risk. You never know when or if something is going to happen do you so I think sometimes, for your own safety...if you are dealing with the drunk that keeps hassling you, you have to keep your cool and put up with it to some extent.

Ok, in a hotel more often than not there will be someone on hand that you can ask to have a word with said drunk or hassler but it's not always the case at other venues.

However, to answer the question "How would you deal with a drunk...?..etc". I don't know until it happens to be totally honest. As I said, I always try to be as polite as possible for as long as I can. Have a bit of a joke with them and tell them to go off and enjoy themselves. If they became aggressive towards me and I thought I was at risk or my equipment was at risk, I would notify the person who booked me. If it was that person who was getting aggressive then I would tell them (advise/inform them) in no uncertain terms that if they continued getting aggressive that I would stop what I am doing. It has never happened and I don't expect it to but you have to be prepared.

I think the Karaoke boys/girls will tell you its more prelevant in their line of business.I'm 6ft 3ins and 17 stone so its less of a problem for me!!;) ;) ;)

[BeerFunk]

I think the Karaoke boys/girls will tell you its more prelevant in their line of business.I'm 6ft 3ins and 17 stone so its less of a problem for me!!;) ;) ;)It would be if you got a bottle smashed over the back of your head.

[StarZSoundS]

It would be if you got a bottle smashed over the back of your head.




I have been pushed and shoved...verbally abused....and held up against a wall....all at different Karaoke functions...despite my size.:eek: :eek: :eek:

Guests get really excited that a couple of people may clap their attempt to murder somebody elses classic and feel that entitles them to sing whenever they want.They wish to ignore the queue and spoil other peoples enjoyment of the songs that I play inbetween that more often than not fill the dancefloor.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm 6ft 3ins and 17 stone so its less of a problem for me!!;) ;) ;)


I have been pushed and shoved...verbally abused....and held up against a wall....all at different Karaoke functions...despite my size.:eek: :eek: :eek:


So not really less of a problem then...

[StarZSoundS]

So not really less of a problem then...


Fortunately .....I can look after myself when required.....


Professionalism has won through in all occasions..........SO FAR!!:eek: :eek:

[Excalibur]

Fortunately .....I can look after myself when required.....


Professionalism has won through in all occasions..........SO FAR!!:eek: :eek:

Hanging this on the front of the deckstand helps, I find:














" Please do not harass or annoy the DJ, as a smack in the gob often offends"

[CRAZY K]

Does the thousands of hours you have put in behind the decks qualify you to challenge a customer if you think they are wrong??:confused: :confused:

Do you wish you could be more humble when you speak to your customers...or do you wish you could be more forceful.:eek: :eek:

If I had a leaky boiler and called a Plumber/Gasman I would listen to his analysis of the situation.Have you had occasions where the Customer seems to know better??:bang: :bang:

Believe in your knowledge.

I was about to set up at a School event outdoors when clouds started to form--Ii marched indoors and said to the Headmaster very politely--
Its going to rain I can tell--we had better have the event indoors.

Very pompous Head says--no its definitely not going to rain---

Ah the impasse:eek:

So I said well im so convinced im going to bet you this £20 note (pulled out of pocket and waved under his nose) that it IS going to rain.

Headmaster glares at me annoyed.

Second awkward silence:eek:

THEN































a little girl runs in and says very loudly

ITS RAINING ITS RAINING:bang: :bang: :bang:

Lucky you I said to the Headmaster-- the bet wasnt on.;)

:Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

[CRAZY K]

There is always times when the customer think they know better....

Especially at primary school parties. I have lost count how many times the pta have come up to me during the change over from littlies to juniors and said "Play just disco music for the bigger ones"

Part two starts, I start off with just disco music and the result is the boys sliding around on their knees, playing football with any vaguely round object and the girls getting really stressed with them so they just sit in a group texting each other.

Evening swithced to "Mayhem Mode" with party dances and games etc and everyone joins in and has a good time.


Result - pta come up and apologies to me for trying to tell me my job!!

Ah Schools again--see my post Gary mate;)