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newcomer New user 15 Posts |
I wonder if some of you can help me with a cultural question. I have just moved to Canada and have started doing birthday party shows in private houses. I come from the UK where it is considered very odd for visitors to remove shoes in private houses even if the weather outside is bad. We normally wipe our feet on a mat outside the front door and that is considered enough. However, in Canada I have noticed that the custom is to remove shoes particularly in the winter so as not to make a mess on the carpet.
What puzzles me is what on earth does a magician do when he enters a private house to do a kid show in the winter? Is he expected to remove his shoes too? I must say that it feels very strange for a professional entertainer doing a show to be performing in his socks. Eyebrows would be raised if an entertainer did this in Britain. But is this considered perfectly acceptable in Canada? I would feel very weird doing this even in Canada. But would eyebrows be raised in Canada if a magician removed his shoes to perform or would this be considered normal? I must say I find this all very embarrasing and confusing. What do the rest of you do? Only Canadian magicians answer this please otherwise I will get completely confused. |
randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Take the shoes off or bring "inside shoes". With carpets and hard wood floors and everything inbetween the standard practice is to take the shoes off. Occasionally a parent will say"keep them on", but that is the exception, not the rule.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
When doing a birthday show, and entering a home, I always wipe my feet and also ask if I can leave my tuxedo shoes on. My shoes have no tread (that's the way that many dress shoes are made), and so they don't track in as much dirt. Plus customers realize that my shiny tuxedo shoes part of the show costume (if I was wearing runners or something else they might not feel the same). If they ask me to take them off, then I remove them and perform in just my socks.
There have been many times where the guests all had to remove their shoes and leave them by the door, but I was allowed to leave my shoes on because I asked. - Donald P.S. Sometimes, if it's snowing pretty badly, then I wear boots (so I have traction outside), and bring my tuxedo shoes in a bag... and I change my footwear at the door. But we don't have to deal with snow as much here in Victoria, BC.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
One word: galoshes
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Mentalism in Ontario.
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newcomer New user 15 Posts |
So can I assume that it is perfectly OK to perform in a Canadian house in socks? No shoes? Will nobody consider this odd? I am quite serious about this.
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
It's "OK", but it's not very professional.
Wear galoshes, or bring performing shoes.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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newcomer New user 15 Posts |
So what do other Canadian children's entertainers do? Anybody else? I would like to get a broad spectrum of opinions particulary from people who live in Ontario.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2014-01-29 09:55, newcomer wrote: Because I was the only person to mention socks, I should clarify my comments. I did mention the idea of wearing boots in the winter, and changing into performance shoes at the door. I also mentioned the idea of asking the customer if you can leave your shoes on. 95% of the time they are ok with this... it's only 5% of the time where they have asked me to remove my shoes (maybe even less than 5%). So, it's not like I've performed in my socks very often. I suppose I could have brought an extra pair of "inside" shoes, but I don't want to bring extra shoes to every show. Changing shoes might not be the solution in all cases. Some people's decision to allow shoes / no shoes in the house, isn't based on the weather outside. It might be their preference year-round. So, they might not allow you to wear shoes indoors, even if you had galoshes over them when you entered the home. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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newcomer New user 15 Posts |
The reason I am asking this is because I have to go and do a birthday party this afternoon. The weather is atrocious and I will have plenty of dirt and snow on my shoes when I arrive. I have no time to buy galoshes even if I knew what they were. I will not be able to carry another pair of shoes to the party. So what the hell do I do?
All I can think of is to take my shoes off and perform in my socks. Would Canadians consider it peculiar if I do so? In Britain they may well consider calling a psychiatric hospital. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Yes Mark, you are peculiar.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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newcomer New user 15 Posts |
Donald. My name is not Mark and even if it were I have no idea why you would insult me. I thank you for your more constructive responses earlier. Hoever, you live in British Columbia where there is very little snow. I am trying to find out what other children's entertainers do in colder parts of Canada. All I am trying to ascertain at the moment is whether it is perfectly normal for kids entertainers in this country to perform in their socks in private homes. All I am looking for is a simple yes or no. Randy seems to be saying "yes" but I would like a little more confirmation of this.
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
My word is enough
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Randy's advice is sound. Galoshes are simply another name for over shoes. These are basically a rubber boot that you wear over your dress shoes.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Thanks Ray... see Mark
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damien666 Special user canada 513 Posts |
I can See the seriousness of your question.. I grew up in the prairies and have experienced my share of severe winters.. And winter shows.
It is a good idea to bring specifically 'inside shoes'. While the home owner is present, take them out of a nice bag and put them on in front of them. If they say something.. At that point - go the sock route. Be sure to wear clean socks free of holes just in case.. Similar challenges can arise at shows for nudist groups - but that's a whole other thread! P.S. - welcome to Canada! |
Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
"Similar challenges can arise at shows for nudist groups - but that's a whole other thread!"
Sounds more like lack of thread! Where in Canada are you now Damien666? Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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damien666 Special user canada 513 Posts |
Hey Ray,
I am in Vancouver... Don't really miss the prairie winters |
Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Hi Damien. I get to Vancouver two to three times a year. I used to live in Port Moody and my daughter now lives in Surrey. We should grab a coffee or something next time I'm in town.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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