I disagree with Tom's view on karaoke actually. He seems to think that drunkeness is not or more to the point, should not, be a part of karaoke.

Most karaoke, including at Chatswood RSL is conducted around alcohol. Most karaoke hosts plead for people to support karaoke (by buying alcohol at the venue, and this is business ... the business expects to make money on alcohol purchases while karaoke is on).

For most, getting up in front of others to perform anything is a feared pastime, with many searching for a coping skill to deal with this fear. One of the most widely used coping skills is alcohol; readily in supply at most venues that have karaoke. Most people enjoy the disinhibitive feeling associated with alcohol and so continue to drink once started. Thus some people seem to have more fun, let themselves go etc, or become sheltered and paranoid, dependent on personality and thought characteristics.

Alcohol has associations for certain behaviours including aggressive behaviour and disabled cognitive thought. As well as allowing these people the confidence to sing, you also see people doing things they would not normally do, such as licking or swallowing the microphone, being aggressive to others, or showing off their own bodies, or coming onto other people, to name but a few behaviours. This is the effect of alcohol and can be seen at any night club, pub, wedding, or similar function. We are all different and react differently to alcohol's effects. Some are fine and respectful (such as Tom may be) but others are more brash and aggressive as well. Many different levels on the spectrum.

Tom, you have to come to terms with this. It is definitely not on that people's rights get violated. But if you were using your knowledge of alcohol fuelled behaviour, you should know that there is only a possible negative effect of taunting someone who is fuelled and cognitively disabled by alcohol. Yes, management and security at the venue may have dealt with things differently and more effectively, but then you should be able to admit that so could you have! The club seemed able to agree somewhat by making changes. I think that you put yourself and those around you in further possible danger if anything.

Whatever people may think about it, karaoke at most venues has an alcohol factor. This means that people's idea of fun is very different. Some people come to showpony and show off, some will be quiet, some will be aggressive etc. You have to accept that everyone is different and there is no set person that should attend karaoke. I think even these footballers (being a rugby player myself) would have just been having fun and made fools of themselves and yes, crossed the line. But karaoke is for everyone.

There has been a common thread of negativity in your posts and unrealistic thinking about who should attend karaoke. To my regard you seem a bit ageist yourself, in being against the younger generation, for whom the behaviour you describe is commonplace and actually considered cool. With an open mind, you tolerate it to some degree. With a closed mind, I think you put a barrier between them and yourself and often where there is a barrier battle lines are drawn in an unconcious way.
Submitted by Ray on 28-05-2008

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