KTV etiquette: minding your Ps & Qs at the videoke bar

WHEN you’re happy, you sing. When you’re sad or mad, you sing. And when you’re bored out of your wits, you sing. No wonder the karaoke—videoke in these song-loving islands—has remained everybody’s pastime favorite.

Unless you live under a rock, it’s unlikely you won’t find a song or two to sing along at a videoke or KTV bar. So chances are, you and your peers, no matter how vocally challenged or shy (supposedly) are bound to have a good time in front of the karaoke box.

Sometimes, though, having too much of a good time means getting carried away, forgetting to behave, and ending up spoiling the videoke party.

So here’s a list of do’s and don’ts to make sure that singing binge doesn’t go way out of tune:

1. Ease up on the booze. You don’t want everyone worrying what to do with you when you get one glass too many and pass out. One time, a guy was found motionless on the floor of Red Box in Ayala Centre Cebu, said general shift manager Jannes Hayag. Fearing that the guy just had a heart attack, the lounge crew called the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf) for help, only to find out that the guy passed out simply due to drunkenness. They had to carry him out of the mall and call for a cab to take him home.

2. If you love duets, love songs and all, make sure no one objects. Essentially, you are free to sing along with whomever you want, so long as there’s no third party who minds seeing you singing with another. Take an incident between a boy and girl who seemed to be enjoying a regular KTV date at Song Hits Family KTV. After a few lovely songs, another girl suddenly barged in and made a scene. Some yelling and crying ensued. Christian Cuenco, owner of the family KTV bar, said it turned out the incident was a classic case involving a love triangle.

3. You are not to monopolize the stage. People react differently when there’s too much liquor that ends up in the head. Others pass out, others become obnoxious, while some there and then decide to pursue their dreams of becoming a pop star and hog the microphone. Not cool at all. So, always be mindful of those awaiting their turn at the mike, says Edmar Malaca, operations supervisor of Partee KTV in Amnezia Superclub.

Here are other rules of KTV etiquette worth observing:

4. Be careful. Handle karaoke equipment with utmost respect as if they were yours.

5. Applaud generously. Showing real appreciation is not necessarily for a person’s singing prowess but for his guts.

6. From your seat, do not try to outdo the singer. You will have your chance to shine.

7. Sing the song right. Not to sound harsh, but it’s rather pathetic to intentionally screw the song up just to get some laughs.

8. Do not sit out the whole night. Everyone likes to hear from you, too. Not a good time to be on shy mode.

9. Explore the song book. You don’t have to repeat the song your friend belted out just a while ago.

10. Get up and dance. Song and dance go together. And what better combination for a great party atmosphere.

Of course, all these are mere reminders. In the end, what you do at a KTV bar is all up to you. But like a timeless song, it just feels great when everyone seeks your company each time they go on a karaoke spree. (Cherry Claire C. Petiluna)