People don't ask me, "How did You do that?".

They usually ask me, "WHY did you do that?"...

I've talked to Penn G. on several occasions, two of the other methods that he has told me about:

1) There is a midget living inside the box and when I poke my hand inside he wakes up and does the dirty work.

2) I go into very graphic detail telling them all the intricacies of the "how to" down to the most minute detail. They usually become bored and leave.

Beyond Penn's, most of the ones I use are already posted here

Care,
X

Doctor Amazo says, "There's always the Penn Jullette's in-your-face response:
Look around conspiratorily and lean toward their ear, as if to whisper the secret.
Shout "It's a freakin' TRICK!"

I most certainly would NOT use that, for a couple of reasons.
First, it's a stolen line from Penn and Teller.
But, more importantly, it's insulting and possibly dangerous to the audience member involved.
Depending on hearing problems, you could damage a person's eardrum doing that.
Even without hearing problems, it's demeaning and an unwarranted put-down.
It's a good way to lose your audience!
cheer,
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com

When asked "How did you do that?" My response is normally, "I don't know, it keeps me up at night trying to figure it out." When said as though you to are confused you also get a good laugh from it.

Kyle

Here's what I like to say
"How did I do what?"
Gary

Personally I just say "you tell me!"

Hope I helped!
Lance R. Wilson
:banana:

And I agree with peter on the Pen Jullette in your face routine. The only thing it accomplishes is making your spectator feel lower than dirt and possibly damaging an ear drum so if you want to lose an audience I suggest that approach!

Lance R. Wilson

I agree with Peter Marucci on this, and while the latter of the two points he made is more important, I will again repeat the first:


"It's a stolen line from Penn and Teller"

This is also important, and a very valid reason not to use the line.

(But I don't want to open another can of worms).



Pat

Humans are meant to be curious.. I say its magic or not sure really.. hehe

Great suggestions..but how do I deal with people asking me to do it again!

Normally if someone asks, I say "a mis-spent youth". Get's a laugh!

Simon

In response to "how'd you do that?" I raise my eyebrows a couple times, smile and say "magic" or say "that's nothing, watch this" and if you don't have another trick, it gives you time to walk away while the spectator is wondering what you're up to. Or if it's a friend of mine, I like to say something like "What about the pyramids? How'd they do that?"
"Do it again" - say, "I'm not going to repeat myself, there's a whole wide world out there, pay attention"

It's simple..... MAGIC!

I got this one from my local magic dealer:
I don't know how my TV works but I like watching it.

If you purshased Royal Magic tricks, at the end of the instruction you will see a statement clearly printed that states "A Good Magic Never Reveals Its Secret!"

The line I came up with and alway use is..."How do I do it? As my father always told me, 'son you are just a tool'...at least I think he said tool."

It is funny in an off beat manner and does not make your audience the butt of the joke.


Frank Tougas

How do you do that? Its all done with Mirrors.

As Peter alluded to, it all depends upon you character. The wise guy may use the "can you keep a secret? So can I" bit. While a character such as mine (and this IS what I do) raises his right eyebrow, gives a small shrug, and says, "Who cares?"

I say, "Huh?"

Thanks all. There're so many alternative than "it's just magic", which has been the only one I used.

I may think about my own "can you keep secret?" version (I speak mandarin here).

I love the "who cares?" most. it's cool, with wisdom, not offensive, and most importantly, make people laugh. dpe666, can I steal your line?

In some circumstances, I just tell them with this little guy's help, and here comes the creature... got people screaming a couple of times!

but usually, the simple answer is the best : magic!