A friend new to the world of karaoke (we'll call him "Bill") decides to join you, the karaoke veteran, at your favorite karaoke bar for a few hours, "Just to have a few drinks and watch you." You make a few suggestions for songs he might like to try, but he demurs--at first. The next thing you know, Bill is singing his fifth song, hamming it up with props, thinking he's a rock star, doing his best Elton John impression--and loving every minute of it.
This encourages you. You think, if Bill, who always seems shy at work, could have so much fun, surely your wild and crazy boss, Sue Ellen, will love karaoke!
The next weekend, Sue Ellen joins you at the bar, "Just to have a few drinks and watch you." That's what Bill said, you think, snickering to yourself. You try several times to talk her into trying a song, pointing out some of her favorites in the songbook, but she begs off. You even suggest a duet, but still she refuses.
I know Sue Ellen would love this, if I could get her up there just once, you think. Desperate, you wait until she visits the restroom, then secretly put in a slip with her name on it.
When Sue Ellen's name is eventually called, she is horror-stricken. Her face goes from white, to green, then finally to red, as she glares at you as if you just killed her dog. She picks up her purse, and, without a word, stomps out of the bar. Monday at work, you are called into her office, and unceremoniously fired for "incompatibility" and "not being a team player."
Okay, maybe no firings, divorces, or nuclear wars have been caused by what I call "karaoke reluctance." But, plenty of hurt feelings have. It is never a good idea to push too hard if someone says they don't want to sing. Gently encourage--yes; drag to the stage, kicking and screaming--no. You never know why someone doesn't want to sing. Maybe they have a deep-seated fear from childhood, when they were forced to wear pincurls and a dress and sing "On the Good Ship, Lollipop" for Great Uncle Lou. And those are just the men.
My husband has gone to karaoke shows with me many times, but I have only talked him into singing three times. He doesn't have a lifelong fear of it; he's just not that into it. He doesn't get the same thrill from singing that I do, and that's okay. I don't get a rush watching Discovery Channel specials on space travel, either, but apparently he does.
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