Please, Don’t EVER Say This To A Radio DJ… [OPINION]

It makes for a very awkward conversation. There MUST be a better way to respond.

I was just having this conversation with a security guard at our sister station's concert - working in radio is weird. It's not like any other industry I've ever been employed in. And here's why:

People feel the need to tell you how much they DON'T listen. All. The. Time.

Imagine this: somebody asks you where you work, and you say, "Oh, I work at McDonald's." Immediately, a look washes over that person's face and they say, "Ugh. I like Wendy's."

Ummmmm...okay.

"Oh, you work in radio? I don't listen to the radio." "I don't listen to you guys, I listen to *insert station here*."

That's great. Good for you. I don't mind that you don't listen to the radio; I also don't mind that you don't listen to my station. Everybody has their own tastes. But why is that the FIRST thing you'd tell me? 

I think back to my previous jobs - working at a zoo, a candle store, Victoria's Secret. And I think about the same reaction to those places - "You work at a candle store? I hate candles." "You work at a zoo? I hate animals." "You work at Victoria's Secret? I hate their bras."

Okay, so the last one MIGHT be acceptable, but still.

By telling you what I do for a living, I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm telling you how I pay the bills. And I love my job. I don't expect YOU to love it; that's what you do what you do and I do what I do.

It just makes for a very awkward conversation. So, if you don't listen, an appropriate response might be, "Oh, okay!" And then walk away. It's less awkward for us, trust me.