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mago verza Regular user kanagawa - japan 103 Posts |
I work in a restaurant and sometimes I have some problem to deal with 2 types of problematic customers, I can barely deal with them so so I would like to have some advice from people who have more experience.
1. drunk customers that take your props even if you don't give them and soak with wine, grab the deck of cards pick a card and from distance asks "tell me what card is this?"...(usually here I answer, you know that card why do you ask me...)etc...of course they are still customers and you can't be rude expecially in the enveronment I work (japan) where customers are treated too much well, some things that I try is ignore, say that I can't continue my show, interact with other customers in the group more sober ,treat them as usual I deal with kids but that's not so easy, ... 2."pls teach me these tricks customers"....here for me dealig is maybe even more difficult, this problem is when yu have a whole group interested in the secrets of the the tricks, I know to answer with the basic staff as "it's a magic!"..."professonial secrets...""if I will teach to everybody I will lose my job...""of course there is a secret but if I will expose it the magic is boring..." if even if these excuses don't work and you see that you leave the group (is thwe whole group interested) disappointed or not satisfied of your performance (if for example as last week you have these drunk and "pls teach me people" in the same group...with the first ones that don't let you procede with routines and second ones that asks about tricks...) anyway as last week I tried to manage like this, pls tell me what's your opinion . they where quite insistant so I taught them some false sleight and some real basic sleights, they where very interested and satisfied by my performance admiring the illusions of the moves, and they booked also another dinner party for next month, the attitude of the group change when I agred to show them some basic sleights and at the end I had 2 applause from whole group and also the drunk one shaked hands....was this the right choise? My regret is that maybe I taught some basic sleight too easily without refusing more before but in that case my feeling was that was the best way I could react. Do you have any advices for next time? ps. sorry for my english that maybe is a little bit confusing but I hope you got the point |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
If they are too drunk walk away. Simply find a sober less antagonistic group.
If someone is insistent about learning simply tsll them you are having to move along to another table and don't have time.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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mago verza Regular user kanagawa - japan 103 Posts |
1. anyone in the place I work booked the table and I have to perform as a party even if they are drunk...and even if I would like to walk away...if I say I skip that group maybe the owner is not so happy and may think is my fault because unable to manage that group...
2. pls teach me that trick! customers, same as before, not so many customers of this type as well but also them reserved the table and I have orders to perform them and entertain for 15/20 minutes without the possibilty to walk away. Actually it doesn't happen so often but sometimes so I would like if yoi have any advices how to deal with them without quitting the performance. |
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Yannou Veteran user 381 Posts |
Regarding drunks grabbing your stuff: stick to tricks that happen in your hands only (vertical magic) so you can stay out of reach. Making coins appear and disappear for instance or a cut and restored rope/ fiber optics. Open with a fire wallet, then get 2 D-Lites and make a light appear from your nose, ear, swallow a light etc. Good for a minute or 2 already and nothing for them to grab. Light some flashpaper and produce something, so easy to follow even drunks can follow whats going on and the whole fire thing keeps them at a distance too. No tricks where they have to pick a card or that happen on the table. Vertical magic is a good idea anyway, that way everybody at a table can see what you're doing. And if you want to make the drunks even, uhm, happier, get a splash bottle gimmick and end with producing a bottle for them (which of course gets added to the bill to make the manager happy). And if they go so far that they get up from the table to come and grab your props, then even the manager will understand that they are too much out of control. In between tricks you can get closer, make a joke or two and slap them on the shoulder like you're their best friend, then step back and do the next trick. As a final way out - try and entertain them without doing any magic tricks! Just be a nice guy, ask them how they are doing, make a compliment about their jacket/tie/excellent choice of wine/anything at all, tell a joke, laugh at whatever joke they come up with even if you've heard it a thousand times etc. All the manager cares about (or should care about) is that the customers are happy. Oh, and people who get nasty and agressive when they're drunk? Leave the table. Just leave. Otherwise, it'll turn into a disaster no matter what you do.
Regarding teaching, try telling them this: "How nice that you are interested in magic! I love to spread the art of magic. Here is my businesscard, I give magic lessons (for XXX per hour). Call me for an appointment. You can also book me for a fun workshop where I teach you and your friends or coworkers some professional magic tricks." Hey, more business for you! |
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insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
I wouldn't tell them you don't have time. Instead, give them your business card and let them know you teach magic on the side for those that are truly interested in the art. This will increase your revenues.
Regards, Mike Quote:
On 2012-10-26 12:20, Dannydoyle wrote: |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
You are paid as an entertainer, not a babysitter. You are not being paid to have antagonistic drunks mess with you.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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mago verza Regular user kanagawa - japan 103 Posts |
Vertical magic and bussiness cards sounds very good! Thank you for the advices I will definally do next time! If they are very interested no free lessons! You book and pay and I can teach you!
In that group the drunk customers were 3-4 but only one very noisy, yelling and interrupting on everything anyway with vertical magic I think I will manage that situation too and if not possibile (standing up people) I will leave as you suggested. Thank you for the answers to everybody! |
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rhettbryson Elite user Greenville, SC Not ashamed of his 406 Posts |
I have had a stock line for years for two sorts of questions from spectators: 1. Can you teach me some magic tricks? and 2. Can you make my wife disappear?
I simply say "You can't afford my fee" and go into another trick or move on.... Works for me. |
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
Can you teach me that trick? - Sure, for $500.00.
And if they are willing to give me $500.00, then I'll be more than happy to teach it to them.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
My standard line for "tell me how you do that trick"...
...yes, one guy asked me to tell her how I do this trick and I told him, "Sir, If I told you, then I'd have to kill you. The guy then pointed to the lady next to him and said...well, can you tell my wife?" That line almost always gets a laugh and I will change from a lady to a man as the situation demands. This line helps deflect their request and turns it into a joke that distracts them from the request that I tell them the secret. |
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magicbart New user Chambly, Québec, Canada 85 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-27 10:45, MichaelDouglas wrote: Hahaha good one ! If you don't mind, I will use this one ! Thx
What your brain can imagine, you can create it. Dont wait, just do it.
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
I say sure, I'll teach it to you. And I show him some insane complicated move, then say, "you got it?"
--------------- Drunks can be fun, you can ignore them, or blow them away with the simplest of effects. Their loud noise makes you look good to the next table.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
For Drunks: I LOVE doing sponge balls or sponge rabbits for this crowd also 3cm with regular cards and if I feel like they are grabby just coin production and vanishes. Also I know a couple effect with toothpicks that are great for those situations too (don't know the names though).
For the answer to "can you teach me": It really depends on who it's for and sometimes it changes per the situation. I DO like the Left hand gag from Harlan (not sure if he originated it): "well first you're born with it... You need two left hands" which I use a bit. |
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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
Magicbart...be my guest. I'm just passing along what I learned somewhere else....I don't recall where.
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ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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illusionistaxe New user 69 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-26 17:37, insight wrote: That's a good idea. If they are really interested, then they will surely call you for an appointment. Plus your business card is with them. Even if they don't wanna learn magic, it makes it easier for them to contact you to book a show. Even I would recommend the same. Cheers. |
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
"Look, I'm almost 40, bald, overweight, divorced, my car is 10 years old, I live in a small apartment, no dog, no cat. All I have are a few card tricks, YOU'RE NOT TAKING THEM FROM ME!!!!!!"
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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-30 06:27, pepka wrote: Peka, you just had 300 people decide not to make magic a career;-) |
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Siraldi Regular user Johnson City, Tennessee 102 Posts |
I usually get along good with drunk people. Just do basic stuff and keep your distance. They are little kids. But avoid violent people. That's always bad.
The latter problem reminds me of Harry Anderson's "Grappler Routine". When people ask me how it's done I do a trick "similar" to it and make up a CRAZY explanation. When I make coins one at a time travel from one hand to the other; I tell them that I throw the coin up my sleave; it travels down my pant leg; up the other leg; and out through my other sleave. I'm actually considering getting a string to pull out of my jacket just for this. Most people believe that ALL magicians have outlandish props. When I use the hot rod I have been accused of operation a machine. Yet it only cost me $5. Let them.... no make them believe the outlandish. |
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Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Best advice I can give is BE ASSERTIVE not aggressive but be in control, The please teach me's - just tell them I would but id have to kill you and I like you too much. or can you keep a secret? "yes" so can I, look how good I am at it. and move on to the next trick. If your magic flows well they shouldnt have time to bother you.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
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