How to TACTFULLY say "no".
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
Any one notice that when you did let them flip through your CDs they would pick the most bizarre chit or one hit wonders to play. They always find that one song they haven't heard in years but love. "Oh my god...you have to play this...Always by Erasure! Everybody will sooo dance, I swear!"
The BEST is when you tell somebody they can't have the mic, and they grab it anyway and start talking. Yea, guess what assclown...I still control the volume.
Haven't had either of those problems in years...always fun to reminisce.
The BEST is when you tell somebody they can't have the mic, and they grab it anyway and start talking. Yea, guess what assclown...I still control the volume.
Haven't had either of those problems in years...always fun to reminisce.
I always feel out the crowd when they ask these things. But in most instances its rarely an issue. Unless they are obviously a drunk, beotch, or asshat.
#1 - I tell the B/G that we do have the capability to play iPod or iPhone. If its something totally inappropriate I have the guest check with the B/G.
#2 - Mics are a little different, but more often than not the person who wanted to use it has checked with me ahead of time. Mics are more off limits out of these three things.
#3 - Even when I had CD's, I just asked the guest to write it down on my request pad and I would look into it. No browsing because "everything is in a strict order and needs to be left alone...Come back when you think of that song you wanted"
#1 - I tell the B/G that we do have the capability to play iPod or iPhone. If its something totally inappropriate I have the guest check with the B/G.
#2 - Mics are a little different, but more often than not the person who wanted to use it has checked with me ahead of time. Mics are more off limits out of these three things.
#3 - Even when I had CD's, I just asked the guest to write it down on my request pad and I would look into it. No browsing because "everything is in a strict order and needs to be left alone...Come back when you think of that song you wanted"
Still loving Asshat, eh?
It's very fitting to a good portion of the population...I use it frequently also.
Still loving Asshat, eh?
I said "ass clown", been using it for years...never liked or used "asshat".
G
Guest
Guest
It is in my contract that it is a no no. I just tell them that it is against company policy.
Well, since I do many weddings I have to let the people doing the toasts use the mic. Other than that, again, company policy says no.
Obviously they've missed the big computer. What CDs? I indicate that I do not carry CDs. If they want to look through the MP3s then they have a big set. Again. company policy says that they don't even belong behind the facade.
Company policy covers many ills.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
1) No tact needed- just say no. You might explain your reasons ( for me it's simply a risk of infection. I don't know what's on the thing), or not. It's ok to simply say that you don't do that.
2) Depends. I assume you are talking about a DJ event. I don't let just any drunk up on the mic. I will ask the specific purpose, and will refuse if it's just a drunk screwing around- again, just say no. Side note: NO ONE uses MY mic, only a general use mic I keep handy.
3) I ask if they are looking for a specific song, and how may I help? Also, since I have songbook creating software for my Karaoke events, I also use it to put together a few DJ songbooks, and will offer one of those.
I also explain that my discs are the tools of my work, and are meant for my use only.
1. I use the OTS format. I tell them I only DJ with that format. They don't even know what OTS is so how are they going to argue the point.
2. I ask them who they are and what it is they need to sya. Its my Mic and the last thing I need is a big F bomb coming out because I didn't ask.
3. I don't have CD's at my event. So when they want to look at my computer its easier to just say what is it your looking for and I will do it. If they say they don't know. Then I tell them when they do know then let me know and I will see if I can find it and if I would play it. This happens all the time. They usually take there drunk selves to there table. If for some reason they start to crowd me then I would tell them I'm DJing here and they will just have to think about there request and then come back.
4. I do try and be nice but also firm. I think I do a good job in letting people know I would be more than happy to consider there song but it has to be appropriate for the event and it has to be my stuff.
"I'm sorry, for liability reasons I do not allow anybody to connect personal equipment to my system, use my gear, or occupy my area of the floor."
Hey Papaapapapapa
1. You're at an event and someone want you to hook up their iPod to your system for a song you don't have / know.
Unless you are the paying client, no. I wll do my best to deter this though..
#2. Someone other than the client wants to use your microphone.
Sorry, no. Even if you go and ask my client answer is still no...
#3. Folks want to browse your CD collections
No. I'm computerized anyways...No.
I'd had people come behind my console to "see what I'm running, 'cause Imma Dj too" - Fantastic...After the show is over, let's have a cup of coffee. I don't allow people to come behind my console. I will ask them where they work. Tell them I will be at their work Monday am...That will shut them up.
I've had so many scenerios in my career...Where do I start??
1. You're at an event and someone want you to hook up their iPod to your system for a song you don't have / know.
Unless you are the paying client, no. I wll do my best to deter this though..
#2. Someone other than the client wants to use your microphone.
Sorry, no. Even if you go and ask my client answer is still no...
#3. Folks want to browse your CD collections
No. I'm computerized anyways...No.
I'd had people come behind my console to "see what I'm running, 'cause Imma Dj too" - Fantastic...After the show is over, let's have a cup of coffee. I don't allow people to come behind my console. I will ask them where they work. Tell them I will be at their work Monday am...That will shut them up.
I've had so many scenerios in my career...Where do I start??
This is an area I think we need to be careful.
If the guy really is a DJ - or even just a newbie guy, you just blew off a networking opportunity if you come off smug.
If the guy is a wannabe with a good attitude - he may just be your next great DJ, especially you as a multi-op should see the value in that! Mike Walter has so many stories of people who he found at gigs that made great DJs and MCs.
Of course if the attitude is "I'm better than you" - sorry, insurance can't let you behind here because of the wires on the floor and the sound db 1w/1f levels.
But coming from the other side, I walked up to a DJ at a bar a few weeks ago to comment on his setup and ask a question on how he was going to use something. He was nice, but treated me as a baby. explaining how his decks were "really CD turntables", with my response being "yeah - cdj800s. Nice decks" he then went on to say that he was old school and didn't cheat like all the others using computers and playing solitare when people weren't looking. After a minute or two he said that I might just know a little bit about djing and that I should stick around and watch him... and "not be cheap on buying drinks"...
Frankly - that drove me nuts, and I just handed him my card, offered him a cup of coffee if he wanted to get together and talk and walked out the door and drove to another place with a better DJ.
Now I'm not the best, and I don't work as much as I'd like between all my other things going on... but I'm not the worst either.. so letting go of a networking opportunity was downright stupid!
no?
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
This is an area I think we need to be careful.
If the guy really is a DJ - or even just a newbie guy, you just blew off a networking opportunity if you come off smug.
No, not really. It depends on how you approach me. I'm very approachable, don't be a pita...I'll let him/her know about our monthly gatherings we have for all DJs, I will invite him/her.
If the guy is a wannabe with a good attitude - he may just be your next great DJ, especially you as a multi-op should see the value in that! Mike Walter has so many stories of people who he found at gigs that made great DJs and MCs.
I too have hired DJs I've met at events, no question. Again, it's all about the approach....
I've had plenty of DJs introduce themselves to me, and explain their intentions. That's all I ask, is to be honest. I'm cool with that.."Hey you got the Bose compact, do you like it"? Or..."Hey wow, DJ Power, I've seen in the Mobile Beat, I was always curious" (I've had DJP for 6 years, we own 2)...I don't do demos while I'm working for the client. Afterwards, let's grab a beer and some wings...
Now I'm not the best, and I don't work as much as I'd like between all my other things going on... but I'm not the worst either.. so letting go of a networking opportunity was downright stupid!
Neither am I. But after 25 years I know when to talk and when to keep my mouth shut...