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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
While performing at a Friday night restaurant gig I entertained a Dad with his 11 year old daughter while waiting for their dinner.
The girl loved magic in general and her Dad said she had a magic kit at home. Anyway, when I finished my time with them she reached into her purse and handed me a $5.00 bill. I said with a gracious smile that she put it back in her purse but was very grateful for the kind gesture. I told her I was just glad that they had good time. She was insistant and I said no, you are very kind but I want you to keep it. She would not take no for an answer. In my almost 14 years of performing restaurants I've never encountred such a young person using her own money to give as a tip. I was shocked quite frankly.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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cheesewrestler Inner circle Chicago 1157 Posts |
"That's very nice of you. Thank you, and I hope your magic career goes great!"
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 30, 2016, cheesewrestler wrote: That's what I said. In the end I thanked her for her kindness and hoped she would stop back to possibly show me something. As I said I was surprised that someone so young was so gracious.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
She has been taught proper respect.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
This has happened to me many times. It's usually a younger child maybe six or seven. They have some money and they've seen adults tip. I do the exact thing I do with adults. I tell them it is not necessary and then graciously accept it if they continue to offer it.
If a young person offered me a $20 I would definitely make sure the parents had ok'd it but I think it's reasonable to assume a dollar or two are within their discretion. |
ThomasJ Special user Chicago 999 Posts |
There's some hope for the future.
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Sardonicus New user The Left Coast, USA 50 Posts |
That's a great story. I think that if I were table hopping, I'd consider having a magic gift or two on hand to give the kid in return in a case like this. I mean something simple like Crazy Cube or perhaps a little plastic ball vase. (Hopefully something she doesn't have in her magic kit at home.) I realize that might make it look like the sale of an item, or appear to cheapen her gesture somehow but the exchange can be worded to avoid those impressions.
I can also see not wanting to set any kind of precedent; you're not a magic shop, and the last thing you need is for a family of five to come in with all the kids wanting to tip and expecting something more in return. But on the rare occasion such as this one, when the kid is clearly more into magic than most, why not? Tell her to keep it a secret. Even if the effect cost me a buck or two more than whatever the tip was, it's just a loss leader at the very least and the positives are many, and obvious.
"Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." Carl Sagan, Cosmos
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mikenewman Inner circle Kent Island, Maryland 1114 Posts |
Now that's AWESOME!
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Kyoki_Sanitys_Eclipse Inner circle 1513 Posts |
Congrats you must have left a huge impression on her
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KarstenMeyerhoff New user Germany 92 Posts |
Did a show during a church summer fete at my own table. The whole afternoon two girls of about 13, 14 years of age would come back again and again and yet again asking whether I could show them some more. At the end of the afternoon they came back one last time and gave me a pin (the kind you wear on your lapel) that shows the four aces. They had seen it at some other booth and though it would suit me, so they bought it for me. Have been wearing it on my vest/waistcoat ever since, telling everybody this story. So, now you know it, too.
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
KarstenMeyerhoff,
That is the sweetest story. Thanks for sharing. |
Kyoki_Sanitys_Eclipse Inner circle 1513 Posts |
Better than money I'd say
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omnibozo Regular user Boulder, CO 151 Posts |
If a child offers you even a dime, accept it with the same grace as a $5 or 20. You really are being honored by the child. I saw an absolutely horrible incident on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder one summer... but you'll have to read my new book, Tips on Tips to hear it all.
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MazingMandy Special user Has tolerated the trolls here for 676 Posts |
Thanks for telling us about your new book.
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Yeah I had that happen many times as well, sometimes you are doing them a favor by actually taking it as it makes them feel better. So if they insist I take it which is always better than rejection and brings them more joy if you take it. They are trying to reward you for making an impact on them so it is good to let them do so.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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