Karaoke Forums

Run of the mill hecklers? No.

Dangerous drunks? Yes.

I guess once again it comes down to every situation being different. I would NEVER even bother with a heckler. I have always been able to deal with those people; now someone who is dangerously drunk? The places I work have very proactive management (one is a private club, and obviously one finds a lot less of those kinds of people there). And after years of doing this, one develops people skills - for all types of people including drunks, the same way a bartender or server develops skills.

When I suggested a 9-1-1 call, this would only be an option if weapons appeared and someone's safety was endangered.

If at this point in my KJ career I couldn't control a room, then I would certainly quit.

But we agree there is a difference.



AGREE 100%

look at it from this POV... You go complain to the owner that his customers are heckling you.

Wont the owner wonder WHY his customers are heckling you??

My first approach to a situation like that is talk to them. They are less likely to heckle you if they see you as a person and not just some stage act. I try to make friends first not an enemies, but as we all know some drunks are unreachable. In that case my next step is to heckle them back on the mic with humor. This usually embarrasses them into acting appropriately.

If there is still a problem and management is not stepping in I would stop my performance. I would then start karaoke at the designated time, no earlier. You shouldn't have a problem then because you have control over the fact if they get to sing or not. They're acting like children so treat the like children. If they don't play nice you simply take away their toys.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

This is very true around here. Bars that have frequent visits by 5-0 not only look bad to customers but also face losing their license.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Good answer Babs! You win!!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Thanks Rip.

The question what to do about drunk people is always a hard question to answer because it isn't always a cut and dried answer. I try to figure out what type of personality I'm dealing with as I'm talking with them to figure out how to diffuse the situation. So for me it's how to deal with that particular personality. Keeping my cool is the hardest thing because my first reaction to a heckler is instant hatred. I try to keep in mind they don't usually realize what a jerk their being and give them the benefit of the doubt until I talk to them. I can't think rationally when all I'm thinking about is ripping the persons head off.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Babs

I honestly have never ever thought of it like that. This is why I love this forum.

You are correct that the not so regulars would not see me as an actual living breathing person, so I might make a greater effort to go have a chat the next time someone is being a big @#$%.

I have a feeling it will work like a charm. I also think it is very unlikely they are going to argue with a dark, 6ft 200 pound gorilla (me) when I am standing at their table looking down at them while I speak with them to ask what the problem is.

Thanks for all the responses people.

Vic in Sydney

You just outdid yourself Babs! Way to be gold! So when I kicked that guy's azz last week, that was wrong?

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Rip you crack me up.

I can't tell you how many times I've grinned and bared it when all I wanted to do was ring the persons neck.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

VT: Hats off to you for patiently listening to the responses and thoughts without getting defensive. This has been a good thread to hear some options for strategies.

I believe that's what strippers do, isn't it? Grin and BARE it??

Thanks Gryf. One of the reasons I like this forum so much is because of the broad range of feedback. Some valid and some not. No point getting my undies in knot over the invalid whingers. These are the things that help me make my show better.

While we're on the topic of undies... BABS! I must be at the wrong show if you're baring anything... where is yours again? Is it Karaoke or something else? *wink* *wink*

Vic in Sydney

I found this and how you would ever approach a bar delicately enough to suggest they use it I don't know, but it sure would make karaoke gigs easier if they all did...

Is there a way to adapt this for a KJ's use? It's worth thinking about at least...

From BarOwnerTips.com - July 6, 2010
===================================================================

Unlike Jim Carrey in the movie "Yes Man," most of us like to say
"yes" when someone asks something of us.

Often I find myself bogged down with a lot of responsibilities
because I have a hard time saying "no." I guess I don't want to let
anyone down and truly I want to do everything...which can make me
a sitting duck for someone who knows that.

This week's tip is about saying "no" and refusing service to
intoxicated guests.

Now onto the tip:

Refusing service is like the pink elephant in the room - we all know
it's a necessary part of operating a bar, but nobody likes to do it.
And for most bartenders, it's their least favorite part of the job.

But like most things that we don't like to do, we don't like to talk
about it either...and unfortunately for lots of bartenders and
managers, that leaves them not knowing how to refuse service or what
to say when they cut a customer off.

Below we'll go over exactly what you can say to refuse service to
a customer who's intoxicated or getting there quick.

1. When a customer is getting close to intoxication, first offer
food and water.

What to say: "Leslie, you need to get something into your stomach.
I'm concerned about what you've had to drink so far and you need
something to absorb it. Let me get you an order of chicken wings and
fries."

2. Let the customer know when it's their last drink. Instead of
cutting a customer off when they want another drink, let them know
that after this one drink, you can't serve them anymore.

What to say: "Joe, enjoy this one, I don't think I can serve you
another."

or

"Here you are Barbara. Drink slowly because this is the last one I
can serve you safely."

3. Enlist the customer's friends - It might be easier to have one of
the customer's friends explain to them why they can't and shouldn't
have any more alcohol.

4. And if you must cut a customer off, be firm and come from a place
of concern for the customer.

What to say: "I'm sorry Jim, we can't serve you anymore. Can I call
a taxi for you?"

or

"By my judgement you've had too much to drink Sal, so I cannot legally
serve you another. Can I call a taxi for you?"

If the customer tries to argue or engage you in a conversation about
why they can't have another drink, repeat that you can't serve them
and ask if you can call a taxi. Do not let the customer bring you
into a conversation or argument, just stay calm and repeat that line
to anything they have to say.

While the customer is still in your bar, offer them food and a
non-alcoholic beverage.

Whenever you or your staff are going to cut a customer off, make sure
you have backup. Staff should let the manager know and all other
servers & bartenders should be made aware (so they don't serve the
customer either.)

I think it's unfair that the management did nothing. In situations like this, when customers are becoming abusive, the management needs to step in and do what's right.

All better now.

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Dave's not here.

Could it be that they just put a web site in their profile? Nope, guess not that causes the WWW button.

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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.

Wait a minute--are Karen K and Babs the same person? I wondered where Babs had gone, and some of Karen's posts kind of reminded me of Babs...

( Oh, pardon ME. I'm off-topic again. Shame on me. )

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I love being a mom!

(sorry about the snarkiness of this and my previous post today--I was just a little perturbed)

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I love being a mom!

Karen K and Babs, although 2 of a set of triplets, are NOT the same person.