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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
A friend of mine with a regular restaurant gig was out of town today and asked me to fill in for him. I arrived early, was dressed better than my friend dresses, started working the bar and the tables - there was a banquet for the local high school's lacrosse team - the patrons enjoyed my magic, so everything was going quite well. The manager came up to me at one table to say that she wanted to chat with me when I was done with that set.
When I found her she told me that my friend had not let the owner know that he wasn't going to be there and had secured a replacement. The owner said that he would pay for my friend to perform, but for no one else. The manager also said that there were a couple of parties near the bar who had come in specifically to see my friend. She said that I was welcome to stay, but that I was doing so gratis. I went into the bar and did sets for the two parties there, then grabbed my bag to leave. As I was walking out I saw the owner, so I approached him to apologize for the snafu. He asked me for my business card. I gave it to him, but told him that I didn't want to step on my friend's toes, that this was his gig. If I were the owner I probably would have fired my friend. The owner very well might. So, if you have a regular gig and find that you can't make it to work one day, make sure that you tell your boss. Even better would be to clear it ahead of time: if you cannot make your gig you will send a competent, professional substitute. It would be a shame - stupid, but a shame - to lose a regular gig under circumstances such as these. |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Hopefully your friend pays you since he subcontracted you
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Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
Indeed, a very good lesson to learn. I'm going to be out of town attending a convention and was going to secure a replacement for myself. I told the GM over a month out, and he told me not to worry about it to just, "Take the week off" so he can see "how people react without a magician." I'm a little anxious about that, but if it does spell the end for me, at least it was a great learning experience, and I made good money too.
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JeffMac Veteran user Sudbury, ont 350 Posts |
Ya think it would be common sense to tell the boss your not going to be there even if you find a replacement
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TroyRoark Loyal user Springfield IL 282 Posts |
1) I don't know that I would have spent another minute in the place after the words "no payment" came out of the guys mouth. You're a good man for covering any longer for your friend. I hope he reciprocates at some point.
2) Any time I have subbed for a guy, I always went straight to management to introduce myself. That may have saved you some time. 3) Sounds like the kind of manager I wouldn't want to work for anyway. If he called me, I might be permanently washing my hair, if you know what I mean. |
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-17 13:00, TroyRoark wrote: Thank you. Quote:
On 2007-05-17 13:00, TroyRoark wrote: I was introduced to the manager two days earlier, and I talked with her when I arrived. The problem was with the owner, not the manager. Indeed, the manager wasn't aware that my friend hadn't talked to the owner. Quote:
On 2007-05-17 13:00, TroyRoark wrote: I find it hard to fault the owner on this: he was blindsided. Don't get me started on the hair thing. Posted: May 17, 2007 1:33pm Quote: On 2007-05-17 12:35, JeffMac wrote: Ya think it would be common sense to tell the boss your not going to be there even if you find a replacement Imagine you're an engineer at Raytheon (or wherever). Would you send your neighbor in to cover for you when you're out of town, without telling your boss? ("Who are you?" "I'm Joe, Bob's next-door neighbor." "Um, where's Bob?" "He's visiting his mom. He asked me to fill in for him for a couple of days." "He did what?" "I'm only too happy to help out: Bob's a great guy." "Oh. So . . . you're . . . um . . . a mechanical engineer?" "Civil engineer, actually. But I took some mechanical engineering courses in college. Besides, how difficult can a missle system be, when you get right down to it? Engineering's engineering, am I right?" "I'll be in my office. I have some paperwork to do. For Bob.") BCIII |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
If you're seeing it as the owner getting blindsided, you were thinking clearly and not taking things personally. good for you Bill.
In a situation like that you could get defensive and you did not.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
dimosa New user Belgium/antwerp 67 Posts |
Quote:
("Who are you?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAA !!!!!! |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
The better way to handle this comes from your friend's preparation.
I let all my restaurants know I make a lot more money doing other gigs BBD (Bigger Better Deals) ... the advantage to having me is my vast network of other professionals I can call on to help me when I need it. With that in mind occasionally I will have a substitute fill in for me. This does several things: It shows people you have a consistent entertainment, It says I am a performer in demand, It gives US a break from each other once in a while. Also if I cannot find you a sub for the night my next times performance is on me!! you get a freebie. I too have filled in for many other guys who couldn't do a show, my biggest problem is telling the management no they cannot hire me because I don't do that to friends. That is an uncomfortable situation. Mark Byrne
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
About a month ago, I missed my first night at Red Robin since December (dad was in ICU at hospital). I didn't have a replacement either. I guess working in Waldorf where there are no professional magicans, atleast none that work restaurants is a good thing, and bad thing.
Anyways, the week afterwards I went in, and Mark (GM) was telling me how people kept asking for the magician. Needless to say, I think that secured my job there for quite awhile, or atleast until I go to ask for a raise in September. Thanks for the story Bill! Best, Steve |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-17 12:35, JeffMac wrote: Well thanks for that Jeff. Is this REALLY something we have to discuss? I mean really just how basic do we have to get here? Make sure not to show up naked when you do magic? Posted: Jun 20, 2007 1:37pm I have NEVER done a restaurant in which they didn't fully know and understand exactly what Mark is saying. I can't imagine the complete thoughtlessness of your friend who would not even bother to mention that a replacement may be necessary on some nights. It is standard operating procedure. Heck Mark and I can't be the only 2 who have ever thought of it! To be blunt you handled a rough situation like a pro. That is to be commended. However your taste in friends may be lacking some LOL.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-20 13:37, Dannydoyle wrote: Thanks. Quote:
On 2007-06-20 13:37, Dannydoyle wrote: Unfortunately, one doesn't learn these things until the situation arises. |
paymerich Special user Norwalk, CT 546 Posts |
WEll I guess I am lucky in this respect because Myself and 2 other Magi rotate between 2 restaurants. So we always have every 3rd weekend off . It also make it eaiser to get coverage. The management likes it because it allows for a fresh view every sunday
Have a Magical Day!
<BR> <BR>The Maniacal Mage <BR> <BR>Pablo Aymerich <BR>Norwalk, CT 06851 |
Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
Another thing to add. If you're going to be out of town, and your boss already indicated that he didn't want a substitute, make *** sure he remembers which date you'll be out of town.
I wasn't at my restaurant last week because I was attending a convention, but told him no less than four times that I would be out of town on the 15th. I managed to hang onto the gig because he realized it was his error and not mine. Nevertheless, I'm going to make sure all managers at the restaurant have, in writing, the date(s) I'll be gone. |
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