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I was at a fast food restrunt the other day and one of the manegers there - who went the same school as me but I didn't know really him - offered to give me deals on the food there if I would show him a card trick every time I was there. I was tempted to say yes, but because one of my main things about my magic is that I preform for free I just enjoy to entertain people and their reactions are payment enough for me. So I had to turn him down on his offer. Has any one eles out there got offers like this?

kemo

Yes.........I always tell them that magic and whatever they want to switch, are not measurable and therfore it would be unfair to compare my hard work, talent, etc, to what they are planning to give me........I remember getting into an agreement once. The guy said he wanted to get started, and wanted to learn, so I agreed to teach him some smaller things.....once he had seen a few, his response was....."Is that all you did? I don't want to do this anymore!" I was totally pssssssddddd! and I learned my lesson......those that truly appreciate it, will appreciate your suggestion that.....you brainstorm together, or not at all, never give away something you wish you would have kept!

Try telling him that you will do some strolling magic, tablehopping, etc, in his restaurant........and you will take food & drink as payment for performing, but in my opinion, don't take payment for "Teaching"

He wasn't asking me to teach him a card trick just to preform one for him everytime I was there. I'm not a big fan of table hopping. Only because I consider it rude to show card tricks as people are trying to enjoy a meal. Even if I were to do table hopping I wouldn't accept any payment of any sort because as I said before the reactions i get are payment enough for me. To know I made some one laugh or smile or even be bewildered, I then know my mission was accomplished.

kemo

AAAHHHHH.......I interpretted the situation wrong! I guess my answer would then be......"whatever you are comfortable with!" I could see reasons why you wouldn't want to do this, but I could also see valid reasons why you would......tough call!

As for the table hopping goes.....I only approach the tables right after they have ordered, and help them pass the time while they wait for the food to arrive.....I wouldn't want to bother those actually eating......table hopping can be very similar to "street magic" and can be a lot of fun....would you consider doing it for free at the restaurant? It is a great way to find specs, and a great way to get comfortable with your effects...and unlike walking up to someone on the street (where they will sometimes be nervous, scared, or just not interested) I find that in a restaurant, they are relaxed as they know you are obviously a reputable person approaching them, or the restaurant would not allow you to do it, secondly, they are also sitting and waiting, so they are usually quite willing to watch........just a suggestion I guess, but I would encourage you to try it, as it would be great practice for the street performances you love so much!!!!!

sounds good to me... but the restruant i was at was a fast food joint(haverys) so the doin the tricks right after they order give me about 2 minutes while they are in line... but other then that oyu had some good points. but I'm not big on advertising myslef as a magician and i would have to a bit of that if i was to do some table hopping plus i would think i would need some prob tricks as well... we'll see what the future brings

kemo

You should get that hamburger sign trick that Cyril does! You wouldnt need to get paid in burgers, you could just take them out of the poster!!

Kemo,

You originally asked if it was right to take a discount meal for performing a trick for the owner of the shop.

Everyone's morals are different and I'm sure that this will spark some debate.....

If I go to a pub or restaurant and am paid to perform it is one thing.

If I go out for a few beers with my mates and perform magic for free because I enjoy doing so, am I wrong in accepting a free drink from someone who was impressed with what I did ?

No, I don't think so, I spent hours learning how to perform those effects and even more time learning how to do them professionally in front of people. If someone wants to buy me a drink because they were impressed, why should I say NO. Agreed, its my perogative, but why not. That person was so impressed that they probably weighed my entertainment up against how much they spend on a night out and thought the price of a drink was a very fair measure of compensation for being entertained. Why should I ofend them and say, NO I'm only doing this because I like doing it !!

Each to his (or her) own but I agree with Tenko.

Generally, people don't offer if they don't want to offer.

The only thing that I would consider is that in a burger bar, the manager rarely owns the food that he or she is giving away or discounting and this may land the manager in some trouble.

Tenko I completely agree that if some guy at a pub or bar offers to buy me a drink for a good performence it's ok, but I would turn it down if he said first "I'll buy you a drink if you do some card tricks" but if he was like "sweet trick, you want a drink? my treat" I'd say sure. The other day I was invited to go do tricks for some people when they have a party at their house and have a few friends over for drinks. They offered to buy me a pizza as payment and I told them flat out, no need for that I just enjoy doin the tricks. I think it may be that because card tricks are just a hobby for me so I think it is wrong to accept payment to perform it, but if some one is to offer me a drink or somthing other then money as recognition of a job well done I see that as being ok.

kemo

p.s. If I confused any one let me know

Hey Kemo......

Oh I am confused..........but that has nothing to do with your question, it is simply my usually state of mind!!

Moodini I'm always in a confused state of mind. i was just worried it had leaked into my writing and confused some one eles. As we all know confusion is contagious.

Also as dat pointed out the maneger doesn't own the food and could get in trouble. I didn't think about that at the time. But it struck me later so I was glad I turned him down. I've already gotten a too many people in trouble because of my card tricks.


kemo

Hey Kemo.....

If this is really true.........

preform for free I just enjoy to entertain people and their reactions are payment enough for me.

You should do what I have done.....contact the pediatrics ward of a hospital, and arrange to bounce from room to room for an hour or two...you will absolutely love the response you get from the kids....they are stuck in bed all day, and are happy to have someone entertain them. It is a very rewarding experience, and a great place to practice! I am going again later in December for a holiday visit.......I am really looking forward to it!

That's a good idea actually - only problem is it is difficult to get to the hospital down my way if you haven't got a car e.t.c, and there are so many buses to catch and to swap it would cost me a fortune :S. I'll have to check to see what the cheapest way of getting there would be. hmmmmm. Also, have you any other ideas like that? it would be good to do something like that - very nice

Hey Moodini

I read your post about doin card tricks at a hospital around chritsmas. Thought it was a great idea but just not for me. I try to do magic geared for people my own age(so like 16-25ish). I just think my style and attitude i bring with me would not work best in the hospital. But i also like your idea about the mall. I kind of do that already cept I don't ask for permission I just go there and do card tricks.

Kemo

Kemo wrote

I completely agree that if some guy at a pub or bar offers to buy me a drink for a good performence it's ok, but I would turn it down if he said first "I'll buy you a drink if you do some card tricks" but if he was like "sweet trick, you want a drink? my treat" I'd say sure.

I know what you mean. I kind of apply the same ethic to what I do at the moment. Basically you don't wanna pimp your magic to people (am I allowed to say that?). But maybe that's because I'm not at a standard where I feel I could charge for my magic yet. I'll let you know in a few years.