Why is it expected or accepted that a DJ can do THIS?

I can’t count the number of times I’ve been offered a beer (or stronger) at an event. Sometimes I’m just invited to get whatever I need at the bar by clients, or offered drinks by guests, and even the venue/bar staff will ask if they can get me a beer.

Maybe it’s just me, but isn’t drinking on the job frowned upon? Sure, I may be at a party, but why should what I’m doing for a living be any less important than what anyone else does at their job?

Walk into any bank in the world and offer your teller a beer. What about when you get surgery – are you sharing a bourbon with the surgeon in the operating room? Your life is in danger and you call the police, are they going to have a drink while arresting a criminal?

The common argument (aka excuse) I hear most often is that it’s OK for the DJ to have a beer or drink or three simply because we are part of the party atmosphere. It’s a wedding/party/celebration/etc after all and everyone is having a good time, so I should too, right?

But wait:

The wait staff aren’t drinking the alcohol, and they’re closer to it than anyone.

The limo driver transporting guests isn’t drinking.

The guy that comes in the next day to vacuum the carpets at your venue isn’t drinking.

Why should the DJ??

I’ve worked at call centres, I’ve worked in one of the largest companies in New Zealand, I’ve worked in small retail stores, and several radio stations and the rules are no different there either. I’m a paid professional and like any other professional, I don’t drink while I work.

Of course, that’s just me. Perhaps it’s OK for the DJ to drink. But not me. I could, it wouldn’t end the world, it wouldn’t ruin the party, in fact, nobody would even notice. But I can’t think why anyone would PAY a professional to be drinking. Am I wrong?

But this isn’t about me, not everyone hires me. So when you choose and hire a DJ, it’s entirely up to you to decide if a few drinks are OK. Just don’t leave it up to the DJ to decide what “a few” means. The sad truth is that drunk on the job is not uncommon when it comes to DJs. If drunk is too strong of a word, “impaired” might be a fair alternative. While those sorts of DJs are a bit of a rare breed these days, the worst case scenario DOES still happen here in New Zealand. Don’t just take my word for it, ask your venue or photographer or anyone else in the wedding service industry – the stories are out there.

And that’s just one more thing you don’t have to worry about when you work with a dedicated professional entertainer, and I don’t have to worry about breaking any drink-drive laws on the way home.

I hope this helps!