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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
This has been discussed before, but I thought I'd take a fresh look at it.
There is such a variety of names nowadays, that it's hard to have a good line for most of them. Indian names (as in India) are not in my everyday vocabulary, and can be a bit hard to pronounce for this midwestern American boy. I used to not do so well with these ethnically divergent names. Now I just have fun with them -- If I get it wrong, they'll correct me. As long as I keep smiling and genuinely have fun, everyone else does as well. Yesterday I got a child up to help out and asked his name. It sounded like 'Mine'. It took just a moment for me to realize what he said and that it was actually his name. But that's where the fun came in. I turned it into a "who's on first" type of routine. "Yes, I want to know what your name is" I asked. "Mine," he replied. "Exactly, I want to know your name." "Mine," he repeats. "Yes, yours..." This went on for a few more rounds, with the boy and everyone in the room laughing at this poor 'misguided' magician. So, what are your fun adlibs with names?
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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BIGmagiclV Veteran user 375 Posts |
Matt-"Welcome, matt!"
Mimi- "you you?" Madison- "I love your avenue" Ryan- "Brian?" "no, Ryan"-"Mayan?" RYAN! "Cryin?" If its a long name like Elizabeth, I ask if they have a nickname like, "do they call you Beth? Liz? Liza? Zab?" Then I keep shortening it. "Can I call you Eliza? Eli? El? E? Euh? These are just a few as ther are so many more names to have fun with. |
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
What's your name?
Jay How do you spell that? J A Y Why don't you just spell it with "J" and make it easier for everyone! |
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BIGmagiclV Veteran user 375 Posts |
I also like the kids with just initials for a name.
"whats your name?" "PJ" "can I buy a vowel?" Kids don't get it but the adults get a big laugh from it. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
From last Saturday...
Mom's friend Rhonda.... everyone.... Help me Rhonda help me RHONDA....(for the grandparents like me in the room)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Hey Scott,
Your post reminded me of situations that happen to me all the time. Because I am a deaf entertainer, I rely a lot of reading lips of my helpers. Ethnic names are almost impossible for me to get correct so I have had the same situation happen that you described. I must be careful not to make fun of the kid;s name or to ask too many times. The reason is that although most kids are fun ad fine with it, some may get upset. You have to kind of play it by ear a bit and gauge the response. You pretty much can tell right away what you can and can’t get away with. One thing I came up with (simply because I can’t hear names well) is the usage of “Hello my name is” Stickers. I keep them in my table at all times. This way when a person comes up t help and I can not hear them. I can have fun with the stickers. For example if I do not hear the name I may go, “Oh that is very cool. However, since you are helping on stage and with all this excitement today, you might forget your name. So in the event you do, I want to help you out.” (get out sticker and marker). “Perfect. Just take this MAGIC marker and right your name right there on the sticker. Perfect. Now there is no way you can forget your name. And.. After you do a great job, EVERYONE will have no problems remembering the star of the show.” There is other stuff I do with the stickers and I vary it according to age and situation. But this is not only comical, but it saves me a lot of headache. I do not have to work as hard trying to get the names correct. I also do not run the risk of embarrassing a child because I have to ask them several times. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Mike Doughty wrote a song called "27 Jennifers" because there were 27 Jennifers in his high school class. Now every other little girl is naned Madison.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Isn't there an effect with a "name tag".
Anyone remember it? Name tags are great..unless the little (and sometimes Adult kids) switch name tags.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
How about doing something with your name..(or others looking at this thread)
Harris..no not "HAIRLESS".... and and
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
I do a lot of programs for Indian families and as your typical hick from St.Joe County Michigan, I sometimes wind up a bit tongue-tied.
What I typically do if I experience multiple, concurrent pronunciation failures is just say something like, "okay, I'm from Michigan - you know, names like Chuck Sam Dave Joe..." I generally get smiles and understanding nods. Then I call the kid Bob. --Jack Turk
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
I call the kid Fred--even the girls.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If a child has a hard to pronounce name I try my best to say it. I don't think that people from other cultures like to be made fun of. They will respect you more if you really give it a try.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
Oh, I always give it a try Al. Eventually, I say it right. But as Kyle noted above, this can be done in a fun way by the right personality without offending anyone. You do have to be able to read the audience though. For instance, at that same show mentioned above I had a boy named Sawatch (that's what it sounds like). Inside, my mind was working with a Sasquach or big foot reference. However, I refrained because it just didn't seem right for that crowd at that moment. I've learned over the years to go with my 'gut' feeling.
Plus, the way I present it, it isn't me making fun of them. It's me making fun of me. In there eyes, I'm the one who doesn't "get it". These are intelligent people that live in this culture. They know that certain names are tricky for the uninitiated. So if the situation is right, I'll adlib a fun interaction based on the name.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
If I'm performing for a particularly silly crowd of kids I have performed shows where I never get the name of a single kid right. As the show progresses I get worse and worse with their names. It can be pretty comical.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If at their front door they have a big pile of shoes, I will take mine off. If they offer me some exotic food I always eat it, and compliment the cook. These are the people who hired me, and pay me at the end of my show. I try to do everything I can do to not offend them, their names, or their customs.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
And you also do everything you can to entertain them. That's what your were hired to do. In no way should anyone attempt to denigrate another person or culture. When in Rome...
This thread seems to be going in an unintended direction. To be clear, I go into a home or onto a stage to entertain. If I have any sensibilities, I won't say or do things to put someone down. Although, some have made a living doing that kind of humor. Again, use good judgment. If it seems wrong -- by all means don't do it.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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DrGoodkin New user 99 Posts |
I recently did a show and the volunteer was named Payton.
I said...Pay Ten ? it seems like a lot of money, but I really want to know your name. I reached into my pocket as if to take out my wallet, while muttering, I've never had to pay ten to find out someone's name. The kids got the joke. Dr. G
- Sincerely,
Dr Goodkin |
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I've just found this site:
http://www.babynamefacts.com/popularname......ntry=NIR You can check the most popular baby names by year and region. Why not go to whatever year your target age range are born in and write a joke for each one. Not only a good exercise but also you should have a lot of them covered by the end. |
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tiriri Loyal user Ecuador 247 Posts |
Obviously most of the names in the kid’s parties I perform for are not in English, but what works for me very well in any language is relating their names to characters that they know, therefore I have to be up to date with movies, cartoons and toys. And also, the other thing that works all the time is mocking their pronunciation of their name, obviously in a relaxed and fun way so they don´t take it wrong and instead they like it while everybody gets a loud laugh.
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SilvaAce Regular user Fargo, ND 156 Posts |
I just recently did a show where I couldn't hear the persons name, so I yelled out something similar and the crowd started laughing thier heads off. This happened twice with two different people. Purely accidental on my part, but now I might have to try it on purpose. Maybe pull some sponge balls out of my ear with the last participant.
All you have to do to change your life, is to change your daily habits!
Carlos Silva |
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