There is a person who is well known in the area with a really bad reputation that attends our bands live shows. He is always buying the band drinks and makes it a point to bring them up to the stage while we are playing and sets them in front of us. When its break time we are then hounded by this person who attempts to look like a friend. Any suggestions on how to politely avoid this individual?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How to respectfully turn down free drinks
- Thread starter bulldean
- Start date
"thanks! would it be any trouble for you to order a _non-alcohol_ for me?"
Last edited:
Just say no thanks.
I would never ever take an offered drink. It got Robert Johnson killed in the 30's and has never become a great idea any time since.
I would never ever take an offered drink. It got Robert Johnson killed in the 30's and has never become a great idea any time since.
Pretend that you had alcohol problems in the past and you can't drink anymore for that reason.
He should respect that. If not, then you have an argument to keep him away from you as he doesn't respect that.
He should respect that. If not, then you have an argument to keep him away from you as he doesn't respect that.
Sorry man, I don’t drink anymore but thank you.
The jury is still out on that one - a few other things could have killed him.
Regardless, you never know what you're going to get with a random drink that is handed to you.
You could always tell him you're "Keto", like me...then he won't even want to TALK to you 
thank you, but I don't drink.....if you could, just add that drink money to the tip. I appreciate ya
From Wikipedia “It is likely he had congenital syphilis and it was suspected later by medical professionals that this may have been a contributing factor in his death. However, 30 years of local oral tradition had, like the rest of his life story, built a legend which has filled in gaps in the scant historical record.”
on the topic, I would bluntly and rudely tell the guy “no, we don’t want your drinks and we don’t want you up here”
I agree with the folks above. Just say you can't drink anymore.
"Thanks, but I don't drink while I'm working"
If you already have a beer on stage with you, this will not work.
If you already have a beer on stage with you, this will not work.
Based on past experience, where a band member ended up in the ER due to a patron bringing her a spiked drink, we no longer touch anything that has not been delivered by bar staff.
It's our rule, and the rule at said club since then. Perhaps you could let the bar management/staff in on the situation. If the person is a regular, shouldn't be too much trouble to have them simply pour alcohol-free sodas when this dude steps up to the bar. I'd bet good money he makes them well aware who he's buying for.
Agree with most other methods listed so far to try and squelch this behavior.
Exception: Eye drops?
Being curious, here's a quick interwebs search/quote about it's effects:
"Swallowing even small amounts can lead to seizures, cardiovascular collapse, and coma."
Um, no, just don't do it. The guy's heart seems to be in the right place. Vengeful injury or possible death is just not called for.
(I'm sure it was meant as a funny, but I just had to know...)
It's our rule, and the rule at said club since then. Perhaps you could let the bar management/staff in on the situation. If the person is a regular, shouldn't be too much trouble to have them simply pour alcohol-free sodas when this dude steps up to the bar. I'd bet good money he makes them well aware who he's buying for.
Agree with most other methods listed so far to try and squelch this behavior.
Exception: Eye drops?
Being curious, here's a quick interwebs search/quote about it's effects:
"Swallowing even small amounts can lead to seizures, cardiovascular collapse, and coma."
Um, no, just don't do it. The guy's heart seems to be in the right place. Vengeful injury or possible death is just not called for.
(I'm sure it was meant as a funny, but I just had to know...)
I was in a house band in Korea... guys kept sending beers up to me... I had a group of friends on the side of the stage behind a curtain where I'd hand them a full bottle, and they'd send up an empty... Ended out with around 15-20 empties on top of my amp. I think I maybe drank 2.
If you'd ever drank korean beer.... Maybe the eyedrops would be preferable. My buddies were happy for the free beer though.
If you'd ever drank korean beer.... Maybe the eyedrops would be preferable. My buddies were happy for the free beer though.
"Sorry dude, it's a condition of my probation for second-degree murder that I can't drink alcohol, but thanks."
Back in the days of my youth, I was thrilled when someone brought free drinks to the stage. Now it's something I try to avoid. If it's a shot, I usually fake shooting it while turned to the side and sit the "empty" cup behind my amp. If it's something else, I'll fake a sip and leave it visible near the front so the buyer knows I don't need another one.
If you don't want free drinks in between sets, get the bartender to make you a club soda with a lime wedge and a straw. If anyone asks, tell them you're good for now. Works every time.
If you don't want free drinks in between sets, get the bartender to make you a club soda with a lime wedge and a straw. If anyone asks, tell them you're good for now. Works every time.
You wouldn't like me with alcohol!
Most alcoholic beverages give me reflux issues and I have long drives home after most gigs. I tell people thank you, but I'm not going to be able to drink that. Shots I sometimes turn my back and pretend to drink then set at the back of the stage to dispose of later. I'm just not afraid to say no to people. Some will get offended because drinking culture is weird but it is what it is.
Tell them no thanks, that's how you ended up in the Witness Protection Program.
Last edited:
Just to share the other side....the bar is there to sell drinks and the band are glorified beer salesmen. With that in mind its counterproductive to turn drinks down that a patron is paying for...but it doesn't mean you have to drink them.
Dark beer bottle, rinsed and refilled with water, works well too. It's also surprising how many people don't know what a Roy Rogers (or Shirley Temple) really are, or that Ginger Beer isn't beer, making them good asks from the bar (as noted, delivered by staff, not the patron).
