Had A Bad Night

[Sabrina59]

I usually love doing our shows but last night just pissed me off.

I didn't want to be there anyway ... some serious issues at home have me in a yucky frame of mind. So, of course, we had a literally full house. There was not an empty seat anywhere in the deli! Our rotation was a record high of 24 singers, not counting hubby or I.

I was not in a "giving" mood so I kept myself in the rotation. Kept hubby in too because if I take him out and leave myself in he complains. Typical PMS (Putting up with Men's Sh*t).

We have an 8-year-old who has starting coming in with her family. She's had voice lessons for two years and sings very well. But she's a pretentious little brat. Never looks up songs, just writes them down and presumes I have them. Then comes up frequently to change the order or ask how many more singers until she is up. Ugh!

Early in the evening we had to stop the show so everyone could look for the owner's 5-year-old. Seriously ... she asked everyone to help her find him! I'm sorry, but WTF?!?! If you can't keep track of your own kid find a sitter!

It was the owner's boyfriend's birthday so we had to stop the show so an announcement could be made. I told the daughter we would do so at the end of the rotation; it was one song away. I received a dirty look for making them wait. Everybody had to sing Happy Birthday ... then more talking. Took almost five full minutes out of my show. Maybe that's not much time, but with a full house we need to let the singers sing.

A group of older teenagers came in. They have been to the show many times. About 7 of them were singing. Then I got a request for "Banana" and a duet for "Banana and Apple". Come to find out, "Banana" was one of the singers who also was singing under her own name! It won't happen again. I'm going to require real names on the slips. They also signed up for a song literally two songs after someone else sang it. HELLO! When I told them they couldn't sing it they said they knew. So why did they sign up for it?!? Then ... three songs after the last of their group sang, one of them came up to me and said her little brother had to leave soon to take a test (at 10:00 pm?!?!) and could I move their songs up. Oh gosh, let me think ... NO!

Then the owner comes over ... wants to sing a song. I told her I would get her in as soon as the rotation was small enough to do so ... none of the employees were singing. She said that she didn't think anyone would complain because she hadn't sung all night (it wasn't my fault she told me to skip her several times before the crowd showed up). I explained that it was the principle. People come to sing, not to listen to the owners and employees sing. She insisted. Let me also mention that this was about 10:30 at night ... we were payed through 8. I grabbed my smokes and told hubby to run the show. Went outside and did some walking.

It typically takes a lot for me to become furious, and she was the final straw. I have explained to her before that when there is a large rotation I take the staff out; and last night we had the largest rotation EVER.

She saw me walking around last and was stupid enough to come over and ask me if I was okay. Keep in mind, our relationship is more like friends than business aquantances. I explained to her that I needed to be alone to cool off. She insisted that she wanted to know what was wrong. I explained to her that SHE really needed to leave me alone for a while. I finally had to tell her that she really didn't want me to talk to her right then and walked away.

Was this professional behavior? No. But, in my defense, none of the customers had a clue about what was going on. While in, or around, the deli I kept my usually sweet angelic smile on my face and was very friendly to everyone.

I started bs'ing with one of our regulars who also goes to the bar with us and after about 15 minutes felt much better and returned to the show.

Her boyfriend was talking to me later in the evening, after most of the singers had left. I told him what had been going on ... since he asked. She was upset because she had upset me and she thinks so much of me. I told him that I would be fine today. She was just the last straw and once I get that upset I just need to get away from the person who caused it.

We have to be out of our home by the 23rd of this month, due to foreclosure (we rent) and I still haven't found a place. I am just not in the mood to deal with stupid people.

One a positive note ... she did pay us last night with no excuses ... so that was nice.

Thank you for allowing me to vent. Now you can start ripping ...

[Bigdog]

So you never told us...what did you do with her kid?

Ain't nothing I hate worse than unattended rug rats running loose. Ohh... a.. maybe the parents that let them run loose. I have already been places where the kids are doing things that can really hurt them and nobody but me seems to be watching or caring about the fate of them. The first thing that would happen if you yelled at someone elses kid to keep them from getting killed, they would jump all over me for yelling at their kid. Even though they were too busy screwing off to care.

Any leads on a place to live? Or is the entire population out there in the same boat? I hope you find something soon.

It takes a lot to get me mad but once I do, look out. Messing with stuff I paid for is a good way to get on my bad side real quick.

[spotlightjr]

Bummer! Sorry about the rough night. Most say don't bring your work home but in this business it's dont bring your personal life to work. It's not an easy task, especially given the current circumstances that you are facing.
It sounds like this "deli" is becoming quite the "night club". I sure wish you were getting paid fairly for all the hard work and effort you've put forth thus far.
Problems like you mentioned are part of the karaoke business for the most part. People putting in "fake" names to sing and owners wanting preferential treatment, etc are quite common in my neck of the woods.
I think the stress of your personal life is magnifying the problems one faces on any given karaoke night as a host. I also believe if you were being paid anything at all for the 2 to 3 hours of overtime you usually do would also soften your temperament.
Hang in there, kid. You seem like a fighter. I will say a prayer for you.

[mnementh]

People come to sing, not to listen to the owners and employees sing. She insisted. Let me also mention that this was about 10:30 at night ... we were payed through 8.

One a positive note ... she did pay us last night with no excuses ... so that was nice.

Thank you for allowing me to vent. Now you can start ripping ...

No need for ripping but I'd be interested to know if she pays you extra for the extra time put in?

If she doesn't, then in my book, she has no right to dictate who you let into your rotation after time, if you're generous (daft, possibly ) enough to play an further 2 1/2 hours or more.

Hope things go better for you.

Sandy

[Bigdog]

I don't have a problem about anyone in the bar that wants to sing...but..

If it's the bar owner or their employees or my family or any of my relatives...every single one of them will sing once in any rotation.

I grant no special priviliges to anyone. I don't care if it's the owner and they pull the old..I'm paying you. No you collect the money from the people that are paying me. You're the middle man. Look around.

I run my show...I run my rotation. Period. Now there is some wiggle room to accomodate certain circumstances. Exceptions.... but not on a regular basis and it depends on what is being asked and why and by who. There are situations that come up.

99.999% of the time these are not major issues. I'm flexable enough to handle these things. But once you let things get out of control people will start to get mad about what you're doing.

I don't get stupid with favors. I don't cater to anyone just to make friends.

[Sabrina59]

Wow. I actually avoided this forum for a couple of days because I figured y'all were going to rip me for my lack of professionalism. Thank you all for being the friends that you are!!

In answer to your questions ...

I'm innocent, BD. Didn't do anything with the kid this time. He was out front playing with another child.

No, Sandy. I am daft enough to continue the show without pay for the extra hours I put in.

Spotlightjr, you are correct. I most certainly allowed issues in my personal life to effect my abiity to put up with stupidity. I'm rather embarassed by it. Thank you for your prayers ... I need all I can get!

Hopefully this next week will go better. I'm not sure it can be worse!