Karaoke Forums

likes it?

Then you push even FURTHER up!

Oh, and exercise precision accupuncture with golf pencils!

well, some of the "smart" answers were cute, but I still await the couple of really outstanding suggestions which I know are out there.... they always are!

Yes, I realize that the ladies have an "edge", generally speaking, and particularly when dealing with drunks.

I guess the most important thing for me to master is the ability to not let anyone "get" to me. Which can be quite a challenge when you are dealing with a "crisis" with the gear, or under some other pressure, like getting set-up on time.

You are correct, but that's because when they stop drinking, they are better able to control themselves. However, their desires and inner personality remain the same..

An affectionate drunk is an affectionate person who may normally act reserved. A crying drunk DOES have something bothering them inside, and has finally lost enough inhibition to let it out. An agressive jerk may be the nicest, most laid back person around- but inside he's got some anger, and the alcoholhelps him release it.

I wasn't kidding about the chemical make-up of truth serum and alcohol. VERY similar- because the invention of truth serum was BASED ON what alcohol does. The only difference between the two is reaction time. You can even get a truth serum hangover....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Uh oh

Hope we haven't opened up a "can of worms" here

Sorry Eric, I wasn't trying to. The reason I said all that is in regard to your question.

The best way to handle a problem customer, IMHO, is to get a read on their mood, and use some understanding.

If a drunk is agressively jerky, maybe there's something else bothering him. That's why my first suggestion is humor and maybe engage in a little conversation. Being friendly may, if nothing else, remove you as the target of his hostility. It's even better when you can change his mood.

I don't think about this when I react. I know it, but I pretty much act on instinct.

That's all I meant. If others disagree, and come up with a better solution, then use it!....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Determine if the offender has friends present who are less inebriated than the pest. They will sometimes be the best friend you have with this kind of encounter. First off they may be worried about being 86'd or that their buddy may be 86'd which could potentially ruin their evening if it is early. If the event occurs late in the show, I always suggest to their friends that, "Gee, your buddy is really getting out of control. I see the bartender (security, bouncer, whomever) watching him pretty closely and they could be ready to have him removed. You may want to beat them to it. Take your buddy out for an early breakfast and some coffee. You may want to come back here and if your buddy makes a fuss, you may not be permitted back in."

I have found that if someone has gone over the edge and is not reasonable any longer, and that happens occasionally, it becomes the bartender's or venue's responsibilty to have them removed. You really should not have to deal with this kind of troublemaker. It disrupts everything - your ability to do your job, and that is get the singers up; the singers' opportunities to sing, as you have to take care of a situation, and the general ambience in the place, which could result in a mass exodus of paying customers.

If the perpetrator is just being pushy and obnoxious, I do admit that I have the "mother" look in my arsenal. It seems to work amazingly quickly and well - I might add, not so well with older females who may have been overserved.

I will try to appeal to their desire to return to the venue without having to make a million apologies to the people there. I will also suggest that there have been times when I've had too much (seldom and just a fabrication for the example here) as a guest in a bar - and that I figure it's in my best interest not to draw attention to myself in that situation.

I will say that I never get angry or let my frustration get the best of me. It's like dealing with a 5-year-old who is used to getting their way. Quietly, firmly, without drawing too much attention to the situation. If they insist on putting their hands on me in a quasi-affectionate, 'please pay attention to me' manner, I will apply a firm grip, not firm enough to leave a mark, but in an appropriate place, like on the undersurface of their arm, just to get their attention. Suggest that I don't have time to do this dance right now, nor do I want to, that I am there to serve the singers but they've overstepped and should probably just leave.

I think the key here is to maintain cool - I have no desire to get in a pixxing match with a skunk. Makes me look like a hothead and no doubt other provocateurs may remember that at some point in the future and try to push the same buttons. A smile and a cold shoulder, using avoidance body language, and subliminally leading them toward the exit usually works for me. Again, though, the bartender is always your best friend. It's his liquor licence at stake and if the situation explodes to where there is damage, guess who will answer to the authorities? Not me.

In my experiences with the "jerk" type of person, I believe that they will do whatever they can to get attention. Since you, as the kj (person receiving attention), is interfering with "their" agenda, you're a target. I would NEVER try to embarrass this person in public, unless you are ready to fight. They will do ANYTHING to save face.
Something that has worked for me in the past, is to wait until the person ISOLATES himself from the rest of the crowd. You won't have to wait too long if the person is drinking, when fluid comes in, it has to go out. Keep an eye on him, when he goes to the mens room, have someone fill in, go in the mens room and appear to be using the urinal. Strike up a conversation as you are coming in, "Man, there's a good crowd out there huh?" Havin' a good time? This is when you'll find out his TRUE intentions. If he tells you something like nasty, or tells you to screw off, or something to that effect, you can ask if he has some type of problem with YOU, or what is his problem. At least you will know where he's coming from. Sometimes, the guy will be TOTALLY different when in this situation, and may even laugh and say "I hope you aren't offended, I was just joking" at which time you can say "jokingly", "That's ok, just don't make it a habit". If he IS looking for trouble, it's up to you how you would handle it. I've been there, done that, I'm too old for all of that nonsense now. I would just tell him to get over himself, and leave the ball in his court. I only know one thing, I Don't Allow Anyone To Put Their Hands On Me. Hope this helps in some way. Good Luck.

Rosario

I do not agree with a word you are saying.

Alcohol is not truth serum. It is a chemical which depresses the central nervous system. It effects different people in different ways, and it has nothing to do with their "base personality". It may have to do with underlying anger, but then in effect you are saying someone with underlying anger -- often due to parental or sexual abuse -- is a jerk.

In short, your characterization is simplistic in the extreme. So much so that it amounts to total bull.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Uh Uh...

"can of worms" "can of worms" "can of worms"

uh uh

hope Dr Fred doesn't join in with some of this psychological takes on life

"can of worms"

OFF THREAD..................................... OFF THREAD

hello pot, this is kettle

Is alcohol a form of truth serum? Here's the link to the article on CBS News when Mel Gibson went on his alcoholic (and anti-semantic) rant:


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/03/health/webmd/main1864620.shtml

10/4 kettle.....what kinda soup we got for today?.......eric......"NO SOUP FOR YOU!"

From the article linked above:

That has got to be the all-round stupidest analogies I've ever seen.
Of course pouring vodka on a turnip won't make it talk.
Turnips can't talk in the first place!
The analogy means nothing and doesn't work!
PS. The article never did clear that myth up, although they did quote another expert (that I personall agree with) as saying that it really isn't truth serum.
At least he isn't trying to anologize talking vegetables.

Look, why bring turnips into this?.....they've got nothing to do we this, and they've done nothing wrong.....I will not tolerate any anti-turniptic dialog on this site...

The experts are at the AA meetings.

If you want to catch bass do you consult a marine biologist or bass fishermen?

I can pour tequila on many things and eliminate infection germs but laeave enough to drink.

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I'd ask Mr. Limpet....

How do you get her to eat it after saturating it with booze?

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A typical example is my rantings on here when I am totally drunk. There is no excuse but shows the aggressive nature and lack of logic of a drunk drunk.

I can honestly say that I havnt driven drunk for 10-20 years and will not. When I go into a bar I have a support group that wont let me although I do have a lot of fortitude unless I am totally smashed. I have never never went to another show and pestered the host or his singers out of a mutual respect and an internal pact with self for I know what it is to be on that end.

Karaoke kept me sober for many many years as it was my outlet. When I post on here in a belligerent attitude other than arguing for years about legalities it is usually something personal going on in my life. And the amazing thing is when I walk two feet away from this computer I am back in real life and act accordingly. Maybe I am nuts!!

Our format repels drunks although when encountered I have no problems as I have many years as shore patrol dealing with drunk vets right back into a liberty zone or back here.. As I have stated you do not present rules to a drunk and argue with them or get in their face. A more positive and productive way is put your arm around them be honest and ask them not to swing your mic etc.. From then on you have a friend and someone who will back you up if the situation gets real hard with others.

I do hope these ramblings make sense. not as karyoker but Ollie..

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Okay, I'll join the "pot" and "kettle"

Whether I agree or not, the point about the turnip is that you can't make someone/something do something that is against its true nature. And it is not in the nature of a turnip to say much of anything, much less something racist!

Which is why the anaolgy doesn't work and is exactly my point.
It was an inane thing for him to say.
And he calls himself a psychiatrist!