The Help

[Geoff Short]

My contribution for today for Mobile Beat Magazine...I Don't Get No Respect!

http://www.mobilebeat.com/dj-geoffre...land-the-help/

[Mark Evans]

I used to feel that way when I wore a tux. Now that I went back to a suit I don't get that anymore.

[djtunes]

The part I hate is the quiet hecklers who seem to have a remark at the end of many of my announcements, but I can't hear exacly what it was but it was said in a goofy voice to try to mock me.

My reaction to this behavior is to put on a huge laughing smile as if to be laughing right along with the heckler.

I have a special way of handling hecklers. I laugh at them.

It's strange when a guest approaches me standing right at my DJ spot and asks me to adjust the room temperature. I have been asked more than onece about it being either too hot or too cold. That's funny.

It is true that some people treat me (or try to treat me) like a pee-on.

So many times I get a couple of 50-something or older ladies approach me about 40 min. into dinner and ask when I'm gonna pick up the pace and play some dance music. You'd think, at their age, they realize it's a wedding reception, and the guests are eating, and the B&G are visiting tables, and it just isn't time yet. BUt when they start drinking on an empty stomach, after an hour or so of that logic starts to slip out the window.

What I hate the most is if the caterer or venue manager treats me bad. Funny thing is that I am friends with almost every quality wedding professional in this county and I could make a bad name for them within the comunity. I would not do that unless it was something really extreme.

Yes, I have been mistaken for a server a few times. That's one of the reasons I quit wearing a bow tie with my tux.

[DJSTEVEZ]

The part I hate is the quiet hecklers who seem to have a remark at the end of many of my announcements, but I can't hear exacly what it was but it was said in a goofy voice to try to mock me.

As Jerry Seinfeld sez: "According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy. " In all seriousness, we garner a lot of jealousy from people who are deathly afraid to do what we do, and what we do so well. Add the fact that we may be getting positive attention, because of what we do, from the women of these already jealous types and what you end up wit, in effect, are adults who behave like 2nd Graders. Like Derek Jeter gets off on the boo-ing from the hometown crowds of opposing teams during his road games, it's really all applause when you get right down to it.

As far as the tux thing...I enjoy the comfort of the jacket & trousers, but now wear it with a well starched Black T-Short with either a cumber bun or a vest. Very comfortable and I never get mistaken for a waiter. -Z-

[jodi]

As Jerry Seinfeld sez: "According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy. " -Z-

Love that Seinfeld quote.....

OK - guys - take your being (mis)treated like "the help", multiply it by being a female, add a few dashes of "will you tell THE DJ", and welcome to my world!

I have a little different take on the "can we get some coffee" thing at receptions:

Even at a top of the line event facility, it is not unusual for me to be the only one in the room paying attention. It is common for me to walk through the room to see for myself how is dinner coming along? How is service going? How is the B & G table hopping progressing?

If EVERYTHING goes well, I have a better dance party. Food good, served on time with a smile? Yes - better dance party. Grandpa's table gets some coffee? Yes - better dance party. Small child gets a high chair ... better dance party. (Meaning, I don't have to overcome the guests' feelings of "something is wrong" or "we're not being taken care of"). When everyone is happy, I have a better dance party. I am NOT physically going to get the coffee or highchair, but I would never say "it's not my station" to someone who thinks I might be able to help them - I will pass the information along to someone who can help them... hopefully making friends with guests AND staff along the way. Happy guests - better dance party!

We are not cooking or serving the food ...or parking the cars, or making the drinks ... however, don't you feel (like I do at a wedding reception) that we ARE the ones with the most complete information about the party-flow, and what's needed to have a blow out dance floor and a happy bride & groom?

So, next time you're asked to do something REALLY outside of your job/power, just think of it as a compliment that people think you're a person who can make things happen ... and then take that knowledge right to making things happen on the dance floor. (That's my "cup is half way full" way that I try to see it)

Hoping all of your dance floors are packed this weekend! ...and the staff wherever you are is so competent, that you have happy guests without "getting involved"

[bill_smith]

Yes indeed Jodi, with increased focus(IE: the person with the Microphone), comes increased responsibility, real or imagined.

OR as was stated in the spiderman movie " with great power comes great responsibility"


Superb stance might i add:

I am NOT physically going to get the coffee or highchair, but I would never say "it's not my station" to someone who thinks I might be able to help them - I will pass the information along to someone who can help them... hopefully making friends with guests AND staff along the way. Happy guests - better dance party!

[djtunes]

I help the elderly people at every event. It weird to see a room full of about 100-200 people and the 80yr. old couple gets up to go through the buffet, neither of them can move faster than about 20ft. per minute, they could probably use a walker, and the relatives don't even think... "Hey I'll help Grandma carry the big plate."

[djsarge]

No problem for me to help out where I can. I've helped wait staff set tables and even retrieved ketchup for those that wanted it for their prime rib. I often ask the B&G at dinner if there is anything I can get for them. My feeling is all the vendors need to work together to make the event successful.

[Geoff Short]

Thanks so much Jodi! Such a great attitude and wise insight. It's tru that a positive all-around guest experience is the key to a full dance floor. I tell my clients that all the time. So much of the dance floor depends on elements that have nothing to do with the music. But we really are called upon to do is create a great guest experience. So yes, sometimes we may have to be the valet, caterer, server and babysitter!

[UNDJ]

I always tell the other vendors "We're all on the same team" although some can act like they're on their own team and no one else's, but that's never going to go away. Great posts by everyone here!