The 120v charge I wired into my drum throne usually changes their mind. 

The answer is "Can I have a go on your girlfriend/wife?"

Assuming asked by a male to a male ;>)

Boomerweps

Conan OBrien did a sketch where an audience member walked on stage and challenged Max Weinberg to a drum battle.  Max said OK then pulled out a gun and shot him.  I understood completely.  When its a jam its alright with me, but on a gig I find it unprofessional.  A band I was in broke our no jammers rule for a famous keyboard player who was in the audience.  And sure enough every wannabe in the place asked if they could go on next.
I usually let beginning drummers try my kit in my basement though.

I only sit in with a band by a prior arrangement. I only let persons play on my kit under same circumstances. And I always attach a stipulation that anything damaged by me or him (her) will be paid for by the respective parties to save the chance of bad blood between us. It saves more than a few hassles and makes either party play the drums instead of "banging the drums." I learned my lesson the hard way.

I've been casually interested in this thread just to see how others feel about the subject but I had a great experience last night that is fitting.  Our church hosted "night of praise" and there was some real "talent" on the stage including Jon Gibson.  We (the church) recent acquired a beautiful new Taye Studio Maple on my recommendation.  Since it was my idea, I feel pretty responsible for the kit although it's not always under my watchful eye like my own kit.  I don't mind when kids want to try it and guest drummers will use it but they are generally experienced so it's no problem.  Generally we are playing light to moderate stuff and nothing bombastic.  So, last night, I'm playing the first hour and a young very talented young drummer is playing the second hour.  I usually bring my own cymbals to put on the kit so we are both using them.  On the last song which is one of Gibsons (I'm in the audience now) they got the place rockin with this fat groove on the song and a guy in the audience comes over to the side of the stage and catches Jon's eyes. I find out later he played/toured with Jon for 15 years.  Jon waves him onto the stage and he takes over on drums as they are jamming.  Wow, the energy level steps up 100%, along with the tempo about 20BPM faster and the volume and this guy starts laying into my the church's kit and my cymbals.  He's a great player, started directing the horn section and calling out things and everyone including me really enjoyed it but I did have a wince or two as he lays into them.  Those Tayes had never been played like that and I think they are still glowing.  Anyway, the kit and my cymbals are fine and everyone had a great time.  After speaking with the drummer briefly it sounded like he really needed to do it also, plus he told me I was a fine drummer which makes it all ok  .  Even if I was inclined to say NO, I wouldn't have been able to do anything with ruining the evening.

One time at this dive bar we were playing someone played on my kit when we had left to eat after sound check. My sticks were a litlte messed up. From that day on I never leave my sticks with the kit in between sound check and show time.

It used to be common for other jazz drummers to stop by the regular gig I had and sit in on a tune, but I knew them well. One of them was even left-handed, and he would re-arrange my stuff (he was careful and swift, always taking care to put it back properly).

One time the touring drummer for a well-known pop singer stopped in and asked if he could play a tune. Evidently he had landed that high-profile gig without ever playing a medium swing! What a mess. Since then I only allow people I know.

sounds like a horrible situation.

an excon fresh out of jail came over to my kit mid song and in his excitement bashed my ride with his fist. its a £200 cymbal so i sworeat him and he then started make non verbal 'i'm gonna cut you' threats throughout the rest of the set. it was quite hard to concentrate just on playing. in the end his mates calmed him down and came and explained his situation to me.

sometimes i want to buy a can of mace and attacj it to my stick bag.

j

Bongo, keep your info to yourself and you will be much safer.
I think we have some simularities in our part of the country.
Most people in my part of the country do too.  I would hope that if the Virginia Tech. thing was here, the guy wouldn't have made it past the 2nd Trigger pull. I can't believe with all those healthy college kids, no one tried to take him down.
Sorry, didn't mean to vent, but I would have had to at least try!!
It is better than going down with out a fight. The whole thing sucks!!
                           Nutty

Not Kentucky,
Only Federal or State buildings. I work for a fortune 500 Co. I would be willing to bet that over 60% of the cars/trucks in the parking lot are armed and I am very thankful for that.  We had a shooter at Standard Gravuer in Louisville a few years back that shot up a bunch of people
he worked with. I don't think he would have made it out of my building alive right now. That is a good thing.  To many woods smart people.
You might be right about schools and colleges though Louis.  I carried a buck knife in my back pocket 30 years ago and so did everyone else.
No one got stabbed and no one got shot back then.  It is a different world now.
                      Nutty