Karaoke Forums

Every so often I get the person who parks right next to the DJ booth(at our place there are barstools right next to it) and just starts TALK TALK TALKING.....ALL FREAKIN NIGHT LONG. Wont shut up with BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING stories or tall tales about themselves.

And they are regulars.

So....................how to get the message that IM TOO BUSY to stand there and LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN with out being RUDE or upsetting them or making them feel bad.

Simply ignore them?? Just get caught up in talking to others? Get caught up in working the gear? (all forms of ignoring them).

So what do you do with THE COLOSSAL BORE???

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

I juat turn to them in a stern voice and say "S T F U!!!"

Just kidding. Only people done that to me so far have been a couple of friends. They understand that my attentio to them is 2nd to the show and will be short and interuppted.

Otherwise I guess I would tell them that I enjoy their company but please understand that my concentration is to keep the show running smoothly.

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

Kurt, this happened to me just last night. I go on about my business even if it means turning away from them and after a few minutes say, "I apologize that I can't chat right now, I'm doing my show! I'm here until 1:30, but if you want to chat after that, hang around!"

They won't.

Chances are they've just had too much to drink and no one else will listen to them - not even the bartender. You're there, you have to stand in one place (not up and down the bar serving drinks) so you're fair game!

I have no problem being courteous in chatting with someone within the context of them requesting a song to sing. Other than that, I'm busy working keeping the show going! And I have no qualms about politely letting someone know that. Of course sometimes they don't get the message because drunks can't take a hint. In that case I have to be a little more forceful or just turn away from them altogether.

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[font=Lucida Console]DangerousKaraoke.com[/font]
[font=Lucida Console]"Sing for the day, sing for the moment, sing for the time of your life!"[/font]

I have the same problem from time to time. They usually get the message when I have to constantly answer a question for others or adjust the music. If they don't get the point, I will finally explain to them that I am really busy, just to hang around until I'm finished working. And they don't. They linger to other customers and start talking to them. It is hard dealing with it. I hate to feel rude too.

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It's called Karaoke Therapy...

I like RIPMANS first solution!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

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

I run compuhost, and I actually have a "Who the Hell is This Guy" graphic that I flash for that very reason. I definitely hate those guys that stand up with me and won't leave.

Now, if it is a gal, then the answer is I stand up straight, but a smile on my face, and BS my azzz off!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

First of all great post. I think we all have had those moments where we get stuck talking to a patron thats droning on about something we'd rather not listen too while we need to be working. Thank goodness I can escape to my little space on the stage. When I'm on the stage people know not to bother me because I'm working. People wait by the side of the stage until I can help them.

Your problem sounds like your setup. You have no where to escape to. If you are that accessible while you are working they will continue to bug you. You need some sort of barrier between those chairs and your work space. I'm trying to picture your layout in my mind, so to come up with ideas for you. Is there any way to rearrange your area , so you aren't as accessible. Maybe you could put something in between those chairs and you. You may even be able to discuss this with the manager or owner as to what can be done. A tall plant or a small table with karaoke info on it, anything to block you from people interferring with you doing your job.

I understand your frustration. People don't understand the fact is you are working. I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate us talking in their ear all day while they're sitting at their desk job.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I'm lucky I guess. 90% of the time it is a friend who helps with the requests and can actually run the computer. Others I ignore and glare at them.

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

??? How do you receive requests? I allow them to come to my booth.

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

I'm on the stage with the singers. People wait for me at the end of the stage where I have a table with books, pencils slips etc... I can set the singer without interferrence then go to the people waiting for me. No one is allowed on the stage unless invited by the singer or myself.

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

talking and chatting with CUSTOMERs singer or not is part of the job

But if they are a PITA just ignore them --apologize first but ignore them.
If that doesn't work..eat something spicy and keep burping in their face

It's a hard line to ride sometimes. You don't want to be rude, but your trying to do your job or just trying not to be annoyed all night by the same person. I know the feeling. I'm usually pulled in several directions in a night. I'll try and take a break once in while and go have a cig during a song and twenty people want my attention for this or that. My gig is 5 to 6 hours long without stop. Sometimes I wish I could just enjoy my 2 min. cig break.

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

I totally agree with babs, get something between you and the barstools. Not to back you into a corner, but... can you back yourself into a corner where your less available. Can your gig be set up that way? Leave room for us to turn in our slips but not enough room to hang out there.