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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I'm thinking this should be a neat thread to chat about...(and I didn't see it done before in a search) so I hope it's a fresh topic.
How do you approach a table? What do you say when you arrive? Do you introduce yourself and ask if you can perform or do you just begin right away? I'm speaking of course of the "cold approach" when you're not working "By Request" and just stroll on up to a table. Also interested if you get any crazy reactions (good or bad) when you approach. How do you handle rejection from a table. Do you have any lines you use? I'll start... I'm of the belief that if I'm not invited to the table, that I should "ASK" to perform for them. It's polite and non-intrusive. When I walk up, I keep it pretty simple. My intro is, "Hi, my name is Christopher Lyle, and I'm the House Magician here. The manager of (insert restaurant name here) wanted me to come over and see about entertaining you this evening. Would that be ok." Most of the time, I'm welcomed. Sometimes I get the "no thanks, we'd rather be left alone," which I'm fine with. But every now again, I'll hear stuff like: 1. Is it free? 2. Do I have to tip you? 3. No thanks, we're Christians and don't believe in Magic 4. Does it look like I want you to bother me? That kind of thing. Doesn't happen alot...but sometimes. How do you handle yourself in that situation. I think this may be of benefit to all of us to hear everyones individual stories.
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I work only by request. The servers get the tables for me, I have handouts that are given to each table.
I have NO such reactions. It is my favorite way to work. I won't work any other way. This is only good for me as it si my opinion, not a fact.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I've worked both ways...but it's usually the managers call. When left up to me, I prefer to work by request...however some management wants me to walk up to every table...which is a crap shoot.
I hear ya tho...request is the way to go if it works out that way!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=5
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=5 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=5 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=5 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=5 ought to give you some reading material. Try using the advanced search option, key word "approaching" and limit it to this forum. YOu will get pages of hits. One of the most repetitive discussed topics in this forum.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I kind of thought it was talked about quite a few times at least.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Yep...thanks Photius.
Mark. |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Thanks Photius...I'll try that next time. Sorry for beating a dead horse! 8 )
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-18 00:51, Dannydoyle wrote: This is the absolute best way to work. Otherwise, you run into a table that isn't interested. Is that bad? Depends on how that affects you. But, I do think it's bad for the house. What if that table thinks twice about returning because they don't want to be bothered again.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I will go as far as "best for me" LOL. So as to avoid arguements.
For the exact reason you put forth, as well as others.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
ambassador365 Loyal user 201 Posts |
Danny, what kind of info do you put on the handouts that the servers give to their customers?
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Simple to the point and lets them know what they need to.
I have a blurb about restaurant magic history and Schuilens, as I was taught there so it fits. Then tell them to ask their server to have me come over. Pretty simple and to the point. That coupled with others laughing and applauding, meand you never approach a table cold.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
Here's a different point of view... watch The Pick Up Artists on VH1 Monday nights. I read The Mystery Method when it first came out and has not only made me pretty decent at picking up chicks, but helped when doing walk around magic.
After watching/reading the above you should never have to ask or reference that question again. Josh London |
ugdini13 Loyal user Chino,Ca 259 Posts |
Haha...the funny thing about that VH1 Show, is that Mystery Guy is a magician, and got his methods partly from his experiences performing on stage. But I could totally see how using some of the teaching in the show could help you approach a table.
Spades
"Perfection is in the details, but detail is no Perfection"-Dai Vernon
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joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
Mystery actaully touches on when he did magic. The book is worth a look. I feel that many magicians get too caught up in only magic books about magic theory when there is a whole world of different views that can be applied to magic and performing. One such book that comes to mind is The Tipping Point.
Josh London P.S. Spades, nice site! |
ugdini13 Loyal user Chino,Ca 259 Posts |
I am hip with The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell and I to think it is another great book, about communication, and how small things can greatly enhance the bigger picture. If I had to throw another book out there about how to effectively communicate with a "Set" lol or table it would be the book "Conversationaly Speaking" by Alan Garner which focus on how to increase the effectiveness of communication with a small audience rather than one you are giving a speech to.
I think the most important thing however is that no matter what you do or what type of character you want to portray, you have to put some of yourself in it so it is uniquely yours. People are for the most part good at calling shenanigans on a B.S'r Spades -Thanks for the compliment Josh, yours it pretty badical as well
"Perfection is in the details, but detail is no Perfection"-Dai Vernon
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