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Attention all table-hopping, bar and restaurant performers - here's something I've stumbled upon that REALLY freaks people out...

Quite often I'll perform a trick at a table before the starters - something nice and visual to break the ice. I'll then ask if it's ok to return after dinner to show them some more magic - which it always is!

Here's the clever bit - the first trick I did required someone at the table to sign a card (first and second name!). I'll then go behind the bar (or anywhere else out of sight) and access the web on my mobile, go on to Bebo and do a name search for that person (the chances of finding the person increases if you ask a teenager or person in the 20s to sign the card).

If you find them and their profile is 'public' then there is no moral issue with with you having a look! From their page you may be able to find out their age, what they do, their favourite bands, films etc., if they have holidays planned and so on...

All you have to do is remember a few little facts then perform some outstanding 'mind-reading' when you return to the table after the main course.

I've used this on numerous occasions and it simply blows people away!

Let me know if you try it and how you get on!

Sounds like a great Idea, but i don't have internet on my phone

I love this kind of "tricks" behind the scenes. This discussion should really be moved to the secret area? Maybe your idea is exposure

you can bluetooth the room too for people's names and nicknames...

facebook works well too...describing their friends, naming them...freaks the life out of them...

if you've got a gig you can ask for some names a few days before under the guise of saying "well, i have this effect where i use strips of paper with people's names on it, rather than get people to write it out there and then, i like to bring them along all nicely printed out for them..."

Abraxus - the only problem with bluetooth is that u don't kno who's who!

Also, I think asking for names in advance kinda defeats the purpose - they'd never guess you'd been on bebo/facebook/myspace within minutes of being at their table!

abraxus wrote:you can bluetooth the room too for people's names and nicknames...

facebook works well too...describing their friends, naming them...freaks the life out of them...

if you've got a gig you can ask for some names a few days before under the guise of saying "well, i have this effect where i use strips of paper with people's names on it, rather than get people to write it out there and then, i like to bring them along all nicely printed out for them..."

Ooh I like that. I might use that if by some chance I get a gig.

MagicBill wrote:Abraxus - the only problem with bluetooth is that u don't kno who's who!

Also, I think asking for names in advance kinda defeats the purpose - they'd never guess you'd been on bebo/facebook/myspace within minutes of being at their table!

it doesnt matter...if you're table hopping, quickly mentioning that you've been getting this name in your mind all day long, and its bugging you cos you dont know who it is...have an envelope sealed with the name written on a card behind the bar too...

when you get a hit...go with them, and ask them to open the envelope...just force the same card before they do so...

as for the names, we're talking about a month in advance, and i can only go on my experiences of doing it at small after dinner parties...but people do seem to forget so much...

your impromptu one works well i imagine so you can match up their faces too...you must have a pretty decent phone...

Currently, I don't do any table hopping....

Yet, I can't help but feel I'll only have one thing in mind the next time I'm shopping for a phone....

it's a nice little idea, good thinking there.

I have done this before a gig, and sketch a picture of what the person looks like with there card in their hand...that works nicely at corporate gigs if you do it to the boss having never met him/her

This is a really clever idea! Think you may be onto something with this!