talkmagic.co.uk

When people ask me if I have any hobbies, ask me if I have any out of school activities or ask me why I am wearing a strange hat, the answer is usually - ' I like magic'

They then think- ' What a poor soul' or
' What a loser ' or
' What a stupid hat'

The question is - Is it possible to say 'I like magic' without sounding like a moron?

say "im a magician, would you like to see something?"

Works for me

i just say I'm an "entertainer" wanna see something strange, then go into a haunted key routine.

Is it possible to say 'I like magic' without sounding like a moron?

When folk ask what I do work wise I also tell them I'm an entertainer, discos, karaoke, magician etc. There generally impressed, (well it's a darn site more interesting than being an accountant) & it's easy to slip into a quick trick.

So don't tell them you like magic, tell them your a magician

Why tell them you are a magician. I try to avoid that word (obviously those who are paid to be a magician, its different), as you are basically telling them you can do nice tricks with sleight of hand or gaffed cards. Its up to you how you introduce it. Derren Brown gives a good approach in his book, which allows the 'magic' word, saying that he is 'a kind of magician'. THose who have read the book will understand, those who haven't should stop reading this thread and order your copies now!
I suppose it depends on what effects you do. If for example, you do mentalism, there is no need to mention magic.

When asked the question I usually reply with ' how interesting, I knew you were going to ask that question' and wait to see what the reaction is before telling them that I'm a magician.

This usually gets a laugh as well as a request for a trick.

i usally get asked why i have a straight jacket on ??
so i then do one of the following
1) pertend i am mad and make statments suchs as duck and cover the bananas are attacking

2) remark that it is moden fashion and why arnt they wearing one!

however i dont tell people i am a magiction or i like magic at all they find that out soon enough when i do a trick for them!!

Pcwizme

It's all in how you carry yourself. If you truly love magic, and are passionate about it, that will come across when you say "I'm a magician." You need no other explaination. Some people may look poorly upon that...here's why.

A "magician," to most laymen, is that guy they saw at their nephew's 9th birthday party. He was probably terrible. At best, he only entertained the children. Laymen, unfortunately and for the most part, view magicians as glorified babysitters who can keep the kids quiet for ten minutes at a party...that's if we're lucky.

There are a ton of magicians just doing kids' shows. On it's own, that is not a problem. There is certainly a market for entertainers for children, and it can be well done (that's a whole other post, though, now isn't it?), and an excellent living can be made off of it if you happen to be one of them who also, practice, think and entertain.

Unfortunately, there are far too many of us (magicians) who are terrible. Just plain terrible. Your magic is poorly, if at all, thought out. Your performance is terrible, your routine nonexistent. There are too many of us who, when performing, create an uncomfortable situtation in stead of an entertaining one. This is a sad truth that will never change.

The best solution, as far as I'm concerned, to your problem of people's opinion of you when you say you're a magician is to love it. Be passionate about it. Practice it. Think about it. If you say your a magician, you are not telling them something that you enjoy. Magic is not a hobby, even for the lowest level of enthusiast, it is an art form. Carry that impression, and that impression will be bestowed upon anyone to whom you say "I'm a magician."

And, finally, the absolute best way to convey this message is to give them a taste of what truly being a magician is all about. Show them something. Invite them to a show. And do us all, as a society of magicians, a favor. Practice, and perform with passion. If you say you're a magician, be a magician. Don't be that guy at their nephew's 9th brithday party.

Magic is a way of life, an art form. Not a hobby, or anything to be ashamed of. Live your life as such, and those moments right after you utter those words "I'm a magician," will shift in their feeling and in your presentation of those words.

Nuff said.

B!

Perhaps when they ask "why you are wearing that strange hat?"

You could reply "it's a magic hat with some very weird powers, people don't usually believe me so let me show you what I mean"

Then go on to use the hat in a routine.

Interesting thread - so let's take it further! At which point do we stop 'doing magic' and 'be a magician'?

For my money, I'd say that almost anyone can do magic if they can read and follow the instructions but being a magician is far more than that. Assuming the opportunity presents itself or can be arranged, coin and card workers (and rubber band merchants!) can work miracles with borrowed items and just use their sleight of hand skills - that's being a magician. Those who never go anywhere without a TT and a few loyal gaffs to use at the right moment are also being magicians. Those who think outside the box, see and use opportunities for magic in the 'normal' world are being magicians and so are all those folks who dream up new ideas, new routines and effects etc. Over to you guys!

Personally if I was 14 I wouldn't tell anyone I was a magician anymore than I would say I was an accountant if Maths was my hobby.

A magicain is some one who can make you BELIVE what you have just seen happen has really happened a person who does tricks is just that they dont make you belive or question how did they do that the speccy just thinks oh its just a trick!?

Pcwizme

. . . So ya know, I found the "what a stupid hat" thought in your post VERY amusing. I think i giggled for about ten minutes.

"Why are you wearing that hat?"
"I Like Magic!"
. . . 'what a stupid hat'. . .

LOL

Okay. . . I agree magic is an art form. Way of life? for some, maybe, but not for me. I always keep a trck or two on me and am always "Packing" a deck of cards, but i never outright say I'm a magician. like pcwizme, i let them find out in due time. Modesty. The more you refuse to perform tricks in public, the more rumors that will go around and the more interested people will be.

If anyone asks why i have a deck of cards, I tell them that i like to play with cards and leave it at that. I save the magic
for later. opportunity always knocks.

Example: when i first moved to florida i was invited to a poker game. heh heh. chance to shine, hunh?
I pretended to be struggling with the rules. during a break i casualy thumbed through and fixed the deck. Everyone returns, i ask to deal. . . two false riffles an a few fumbled cuts later, i dealt out four royal flushes to the other four players, and gave myself a high-card seven. I justified it by saying "Look I CAN'T be cheating cuz i got the bad hand! I think all four of YOU are cheating. . ." I'm not allowed to play poker with them anymore.
Best part: i managed to gather the cards right and they gave me a second try and everyone got royal four of a kinds (yeah its possible. try it)

I UNDERSTAND there are career magicians here who go by that title and pride themselves on it. I see the difference between me and a professional as being the same as the difference between a graffiti artist and Michaelangelo. both are talented, but one does it for pay, one for fun and prestige.

Bear in mind. . . as soon as you TELL someone that you're a magician, you're EXPECTED to do magic tricks. then if you're on an off day, you've lost the reputation. I'd reccommend keeping the tricks under the table and doing them when least expected. Then you get more of the "watch that kid" reputation as opposed to the "HEY! You're a magician! do something magic!"

annnd.... I have the distinct feeling I'm about to get flamed by professionals insisting that they don't just do it for money. So I'll stop digging here.

best of luck to ya.