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So, I was out for a beer with a friend, not really planing on doing any magic... But I had some cards and rubber bands in my bag. I showed my friend the coin trick I've been working on (Daryls Cross Of India... to be honest, I'm not convinced it's the trick for me!) and then, as it needs a little more audience testing, I asked the table next to us if they'd mind if I performed it for them.

Whilst doing so, a young lady from a nearby table asked I'd do some magic for her and her friends...

Of course I would!

So I went over to them... It was a small table, five people...so I went in to Chicago opener, then a rubber band routine...

And the girl who asked me to perform ripped in to me! She demanded I did CMH again, but without the bit where I pulled the bands back!!

And she pretty much told her friends how I did the Chicago opener!

I've never had this before to this level! The way she was questioning me wasn't like a non-magician! She knew what she was looking at, but still chose to expose it and challenge me...

And this wasn't a paid gig. It was just me out with a mate that ended up doing a bit of magic....

.....

So I gues the reason I'm posting this.... She was a pain, but if it made her look good, then that's how life is.... My job is to be better than that, learn from it, and become a better magician!

But I was wondering... what would other magicians have done? She clearly knew a bit about magic, and chose to try and wreck me perorming after inviting me over. I tried to be polte and professional, but in all honesty, she threw my credibilty out of the window!

That's a horrible situation to be in. If I were you I think I'd have probably have just snubbed her off and said that was all I was going to show her as I wanted to get back to my friend who I'd come out for a quiet drink with.

What a nasty person! If you'd approached them I can just about understand how it could generate a negative response but as she invited you, there's no need for such a reaction. I can think of several acidic phrases you could have used but you rose above that and kept your dignity - well done!

Thanks for that

It was by far the worst table I've ever performed at!

Still, it's all part of the learning experience...

Here's an alternative explanation. Many many more people than you would suspect hate magic. You were not paid by the venue. After performing for a friend - your choice, no criticism - you approached a table of strangers. We are all familiar with the scenario where a magician comes into a pub or restaurant and bores table after table. Perhaps she has had this done to her before, and was teaching you a lesson? Harsh, but that is an alternative reading of this.

Many people deeply resent their evening being interrupted by the approach of a magician. She may have been reacting to this rather than to you personally.

You may well be a very entertaining guy who wows them regularly, but she clearly decided from the start not to give you a chance. So I reckon she is one of the many fed up with close-up magicians.

According to the original post, the girl in question actually asked Chris to perform.

Mandrake wrote:According to the original post, the girl in question actually asked Chris to perform.

I know - then tore into him. Which leads me to believe she may be a magic hater who was picking on a magician to teach him a lesson.

Good point - and something to be well wary of.

Some years ago a work colleague of mine told me how he'd been to a trade show where an evening meal with entertainment had been arranged. The entertainment included a magician who did table hopping, mainly with cards and my colleague thought it funny (aided by other cronies and a lot of alcohol) to screw up the magic. Selecting a card and deliberately saying it was a different one to the actual one - that sort of thing. Not funny at all and certainly spoiled things for those who wanted to enjoy the magic.

TonyB wrote:

Mandrake wrote:According to the original post, the girl in question actually asked Chris to perform.

I know - then tore into him. Which leads me to believe she may be a magic hater who was picking on a magician to teach him a lesson.

I'm thinking the above is quite a stretch, but it really doesn't matter.

To me it sounds more like somebody who wanted to show off how brilliant she was in front of her friends. How would I react? I'd be honest. I'd tell her that, "I thought you called me over to entertain you and your friends by performing from magic. Clearly that is not the case. Hope you and your friends have a wonderful evening." Then I would walk away, I'd follow up by quietly telling the waiter that I wished to pay for that person's drink but not to let her know, just when she goes to pay let her know it has been taken care of. Then I'd just move along with my evening and not worry about it.

I like it.
Returning her "not so nice" behavior with an act of kindness.

Thank you for sharing.

FTHO wrote:I like it.
Returning her "not so nice" behavior with an act of kindness.

I don't.

As a kids entertainer you learn very quickly that you never reward negative behaviour.