Okay, we’ll I am writing this to talk about a certain type of audience that might get a new magician to feel a bit less confident.
I was at the barber shop today to get a hair cut and as soon as I walked in I notice a crappy deck of cards laying on a table, so I picked it up and did a few magic tricks to the two guys that were working there. One of them was supper enthusiastic about the tricks, while the other maintained a “I do not give a crap” look.
After I finished my magic tricks I decided to reveal one simple trick to them to see how both will react (don’t worry, it is not a very fancy trick
). The enthusiastic guy had the “aaaaaah, damn that’s simple yet cool” while the other guy changed (or tried to change) his demeanor to a “that’s lame, who do you think you are”. But here is the funny part, though he tried to maintain an arrogant vibe, he could not help but show a little smile.
This leads to the crucial point I want to share with everyone: Do not ever doubt yoursef, your abilities, your tricks or anything you are doing. You will run into crowds like our lame friend. You are doing something that will challenge the human mind, regardless of who you are, where you come from or what you have experienced in your life, a magic trick is something magical. It challenges the mind and intrigues the viewer. Deep inside them they know there is something to it (no duh!) but they can’t put their finger on it. This, subsequantly, leads them to feel a little bit insecure, hence the “i don’t care” look.
So how to deal with people like that? Well if you are doing your tricks to one person and that person happens to be like our lame friend, then, in my openion, you should just cut it short (some might disagree and that’s fine, it really depends on your interpersonal skills). On the other hand, if there aremore than one spectator, then focus your main attention to the ones who are reacting positively to you. Do not completely ignore the lame one(s), but do not center your attention on them.
Okay, I think that’s enough, off to bed I go. Sleeeeeep time!!!