Dealing With Rude Spectators

Michael Kras · Dealing With Rude Spectators

Whenever I am doing walkaround or just doing random street magic, I sometimes run into rude spectators. For example:

I was working a restaurant during a special event and found the perfect group to perform for. I approach them and ask if they would like to see some magic. One of the men said, in a rude voice, "No, We want to see the menu"

How do you handle these people, especially in a paying gig where tere is no escape? How do you make sure these people will not be rude to you. I've tried persona and charm but that bounces right off a lot of people. Please help!

BrianMillerMagic

First off, street magic doesn't exist. Please understand this. David Blaine called his first special "Street Magic" and that spawned a generation of kids that think they can walk up to random people on the street and do magic. It doesn't work like that unless you have a professional camera crew tailing you.

Secondly, if you are performing at an event based around food, you should never be performing before the food has been ordered. My rule is "after the food is ordered, before the food arrives." This is the dead time during which guests have nothing better to do. Basically if I see a table with drinks and no menus, it's okay for me to go. Just going during this "safe" time will eliminate a good amount of possibly rude spectators.

Lastly, it comes down to experience. The longer you work strolling gigs the better you will be able to read which people really would be interested in seeing magic. It is your duty at a strolling gig not only to perform for the people who wish to see magic, but leave the people alone who do not wish to see magic.

Additionally you have to develop a character that works for you. I mean really develop a character, which is something that could take years to do completely. When you have a character that is believable, the rest of the performance should follow. If the audience has faith in your character and likes you as a person, you can do anything. They have to trust you.

These are the first things that immediately came to mind.

Michael Kras

Excellent advice, Brian! As I am very new at restaurant magic that was very useful. Many thanks.

KidMagic

Although I am not much into close up or resturant magic I know this one thing. Start off by introducing your self.. telling them your name and what your doing. Then ask if they would like to see a magic trick. If after that they still rudely reply "NO!" then simply find another group. Also another key pointer is finding the right group, and the right group isn't always the one you think is right. For example if you see a couple talking and you think "ahh this is a perfect chance to do my floating rose" (not sure if you would use that in a resturant but whatever) well maybe they just want to be alone and have a romantic time... best shot is to look for a family with little kids! Thats about all I can tell you about resturant magic and this is coming from someone who hardly even does close up so don't follow this guide word for word. Very Happy

Magically yours,
KidMagic
www.kidmagic.ca

BrianMillerMagic

I try to stay away from families with little kids, but I don't do children's magic so yeah. To quote Jay Sankey:

"If I see a couple sitting in the corner removing rings, signing papers and crying, I don't go over there. Maybe later I'll do the sponges to bring 'em up a bit."

Michael Kras

I love that line LOL! R&Bs DVD rocks the house! Thanks guys!