As restaurant workers, we talk a lot, how many of you have spat on a customer while talking? How many of you have seen your salivas flying out in the mid-air only wish you were the only one saw it? I admit I have. What's your best method to control it? What would you do or say if it happens?

I thought of this the other day when I saw a video and the Magic spit.

You can get up in the moment of performing and.....things can happen.

Swallow before you speak.

I would probably say sorry or ignore it and hope nobody saw it

I have this happen all the time and can't stop it. The worst is when you are working for kids and they're standing just below, I've actually got them in the eye before. Very embarrasing, hopefully someone has an idea of how to reduce the saliva.

Haha in the eye, no getting out of that 1!!!

I've never heard of this happening before. I've never once spit during a performance. Maybe you can work on relaxing the soft palet and talk slower...? I'm guessing here...I never knew this was such a problem. Wow!

For the benefit of everyone, can you please list the restaurant(s) you work???

I have the exact opposite happened to me... My mouth dries up like you would never believe! I am always taking sips of water to dampen my lips between tables so they don’t turn white with dryness! I can feel my mouth drying up as I speak!

Thanks, magico563

This can be a bad thing. One thing you might want to think about is there a cretin time it happen like every 5 sentences or every time you say the words pick a card. Then with this information you can work around it. I used this tequnice to pick up times I get tongue tied so however it can be of any help to ya I don’t know.

(I did mean this post to be of some help but it seems no use what ever)

Never has happened to me. Thank God. But if it did I would play it off and keep it going.

I'm a fast talker, so it's happened to me a couple of times. I guess...slow down?

Yep, talking a little slower is probably the key.

Here’s a funny thought, if it happens often and you can’t really stop it completely, have one of those tiny umbrellas they put in drinks handy to give to the person that should throw some humor on the situation up and take any embarrassment off you.

HOW about this one; you are talking with your audience and right in the middle of a word (usually with a strong “S” in it) a loud whistle sound comes right out of your mouth. This has only happened a few times but it was quite startling. The first time it happened I stopped right there and asked the people at the table, “Was that me, did I just do that”?! They all started to crack up one lady even said, yes, and it hurt my ears! Everyone laughed pretty hard so all was well.

I think talking slower even helps that bizarre phenomena ;o)



Steven

And yes, I do have all my own teeth, I’m not that old ;o)

If your mouth gets dry a drop of hot sause will fix that quite a bit.

ATG

I know chewing gum may not be appropreate when performing, but keeping some gum in your mouth should help those who suffer from spitty mouth. I know it sounds strange cause gum usually gets the saliva running but if you suffer from spitty mouth I was told by a dentist to chew gum. Now if you begin to have problems with spitting your gum out accidently, I suggest maybe becoming a mime. (lol) NOTE: Gum should be chewed at least 15-20 minutes first, otherwise you may find drooling a problem.

For those with dry mouth, try a piece of gum. It helps to retain the moisture in your mouth.

There are some UK pros who keep some uncooked rice under their soft pallet when performing. Looks a bit outters like you are dissing back of the bus boys but it stops you from gobbing at the patrons.

Spit Happens

Couldn't resist

Take up baseball... they SPIT continuously. Especially when on camera. They also scratch.

Run away.

Slowing down is a very good suggestion. I also suggest being conscious of your head position when you speak. Try to avoid ever speaking with another person near or directly in front of your mouth. Maybe you can focus your gaze on the person furthest from you while you speak, then make eye contact with those nearer when you have stopped.

Good luck, because your problem is very nasty.

John