talkmagic.co.uk

Hi, not sure if there's already a thread on this, but thought I'd see what folks thoughts are on this situation...

Was at a friends flat party last night, and was asked to do a few effects later in the evening. I only knew a couple of people there, but everyone was really into it... except for one. An annoying little madam who insisted on doing everything the way she wanted to and not listening to anything I was saying. I promptly moved on to some other folk... but being a flat party, she just followed me around and did her best to try and wreck everything for me and everyone else. I made a joke of it, and very quickly the room turned on her - no problems with handling her... but I was wondering if you've had similar experiences in a non-professional environment? Also, if you were to perform one killer effect to shut her up, what would it be?

You do a sucker trick of some kind, usually a card trick. However you do it in a kindly way. If you do it right she could well become your biggest booster.

I have always said that any fool can manipulate the props. It takes a great magician who can manipulate the people.

Smack her in the chops with a big wet fish!

taffy wrote:Smack her in the chops with a big wet fish!

Or the back of your hand.

Lawrence wrote:

taffy wrote:Smack her in the chops with a big wet fish!

Or the back of your hand.

...or a hammer

You're always going to come across people like that. The best thing to do is just ignor them and walk away. If it's a friend's party then I'd probabaly just stop performing, I can't ever really be bothered with people who don't want to enjoy what I'm doing. I'd much rather spend my time with people who do.

I take it as a challenge to turn them around. I always can. But then of course I am a very gifted individual.

Learn card throwing...

spooneythegoon wrote:Learn card throwing...

I'm sticking with the back hand approach for now.
For ladies only obviously!

Razor edged cards...
Honestly officer, I forgot the last part of the dismembered and restored heckler routine!

If I wasn't being paid I'd just stop doing magic, and make it clear she was the reason why.

At gigs, I tend to cut my set short and excuse myself from groups/tables where one person is being a pain, usually saying something along the lines of "I apologise, but clearly (name) is uncomfortable with the attention I'm getting, so I'll leave you to it".

Unless of course the person in question is hiring me, then it's a matter of getting them onside.

Never fight a heckler and never ignore them. They will always win. Instead win them over. Far harder but the best way in the end. Not as easy and fascinating as learning the latest sleight or trick but far more rewarding if you have the skill to do it.

Sounds as if you handled it well. As already stated, everyone comes across people like this from time to time.

Lawrence wrote:

taffy wrote:Smack her in the chops with a big wet fish!

Or the back of your hand.

Just like Gibbs on NCIS

taffy wrote:

Lawrence wrote:

taffy wrote:Smack her in the chops with a big wet fish!

Or the back of your hand.

Just like Gibbs on NCIS

I'm all for equality!