How would you react?

[VS]

One of the last gigs I played at one of our local wineries, the young man in charge of "helping" the band and direct them where to setup and all that jazz did something I would never dream of doing. Perhaps I'm overreacting or even over-thinking the whole situation but I would think it would be common sense. At the end of our gig, we would typically play music through our PA (we always supplied all of our own gear unless there was house sound) while we were breaking down. Well, about 3 minutes into tearing down our gear, I hear a pop and the music stopped. This young man straight pulled the extension cords out of the sockets. This was an outdoor gig with a small stage right next to the main building. No warning, no nothing, just pulled the plugs. A fair amount of our gear was still plugged in and on, of course the PA being one of them as we had just started to tear down. We had played dozens of gigs at this winery and never had anyone do anything like that, we always had the same routine there. There was no time frame for us to be cleared out or anything, we were the only band that day. I just find this completely unacceptable and nerve racking. My band mates at the time didn't really seem to be bothered by it but I was livid.

 

[MynameisMe]

Dude was probably clueless. Might have been a teachable moment.

 

[flannel cat]

I am with you... If its your gear its your hands only during set up and tear down.
I have been offered help after a show and i kindly decline the offer.. I am very particular how things go..

 

[VS]

Dude was probably clueless. Might have been a teachable moment.

That's how I felt, that he really just didn't have a clue. I do feel that if you employ someone to do a specific job, they should at least be knowledgeable about the absolute basics of their purpose there.

 

[MynameisMe]

That's how I felt, that he really just didn't have a clue. I do feel that if you employ someone to do a specific job, they should at least be knowledgeable about the absolute basics of their purpose there.

I have employees so nothing surprises me.

 

[Killing Floor]

Stand up straight within 2” of his face and say “Never touch our gear without asking”

 

[Oddly]

How would I react? I'd have a very short frank discussion with the guy and whoever hired him. It would not happen again.

 

[Minimalist]

What was their motivation? Were they trying to help or trying to rush you to get out of there? The answer to those questions would greatly influence my reaction to this person.

 

[VS]

What was their motivation? Were they trying to help or trying to rush you to get out of there? The answer to those questions would greatly influence my reaction to this person.

It appeared HE wanted to get out of there. No help and they weren't trying to push us out, we always had all the time we needed at this venue.

 

[MuseChaser]

Meeting ignorance with anger makes no sense.

 

[funkinbottom]

I probably would have told him "if you unplug it, you roll it up". It's not that big of deal to me. Over the 45 years of gigging, power cords have been tripped over, accidentally yanked out, purposely pulled at outdoor parties by police etc. Never once did damage occur. As mynameisme posted, he was just clueless.

 

[shwabilly]

So, million dollar question. What did you say to him?

 

[Minimalist]

It appeared HE wanted to get out of there. No help and they weren't trying to push us out, we always had all the time we needed at this venue.

I would probably first talk to him and if I don't get an appropriate answer escalate that to his superiors. It may not be damaging the the equipment but it creates a negative vibe that nobody needs.

 

[Shepsdad]

I don’t think I would be angry with him, but I probably would at least say “hey, let us know before you do that”. Like stated above, teachable moment and all.

 

[VS]

So, million dollar question. What did you say to him?

I was advised by my band mates to say nothing and that's what I did. I didn't want to create any kind of tension between anyone, I just had a hard time grasping how someone who is in charge of directing bands to set up could be that dense.

 

[yodedude2]

...No warning, no nothing, just pulled the plugs. ...

always ask first before messing with someone else's stuff, even if for no better reason than courtesy. always.

if i knew i'd be playing there again, i'd attempt explaining that to the person.

 

[Grinderman]

I'd keep an eye on him.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I shut down the cigar lounge at 9 pm on weeknights. If I did not turn off the lights at 5 after 9:00---all of these drunk jokers do NOT move out of their seats. I tell them we are closing and some of them just look at me and say,; "What does that mean'?!

If I did not turn out the lights, they would just keep drinking & smoking---as if it were owed to them, to stay as long as they felt necessary.

I dunno dude, maybe he wanted to go home---maybe he was ignorant---maybe he was just a square that worked at a winery.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

The words REACT and LIVID had me intrigued. They indicate a metaphysical emotional response to stimuli.

Perhaps the real problem starts by expecting the younger generation to be as knowledgeable as you are about these things?

What would I have done?
Approached the young guy and had a quiet word about the dangers of pulling plugs out of sockets, and the potential damage to equipment by doing so, whilst expensive electrical equipment is still plugged in and switched on.
That way, he learns something new, the act of talking quietly and calmly reduces the amount of stress both parties could endure and being "livid" could be placed on the scrapheap of history.

 

[Spidey2112]

Did anyone ask him why he felt that was okay to do this?