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yfoog New user Springfield, Il 61 Posts |
Ok, so I did a Birthday party his past Saturday. When it was booked the mom said she did not want balloons (I do balloon twisting as an added service.)
So I get there and set up, no problem. But then I start the show, and I use Wacky Wolf's Balloon Wand, and Funhouse. Which both use balloons. When I start the balloon wand routine the mother comments about how she did not want balloons, and has a bit of a scowl on her face. I proceed with the trick and the kids love it. Then when I to the funhouse and blow up one balloon (I only use one in my routine) she again says something under her breath and has that look again. But again the kids love it when the rabbit appears. So I basically have two questions. Since I had already started the routine was I right to finish, or should I have just shelved it? Then when I got to the Funhouse should I have just reworked the routine on the fly without a balloon? Alos now that the show is over, should I say anything about this in a follow up mailing, or possibably get he a gift card for the misunderstanding? Have any of you ever had a misunderstanding like this before, and if so what did you do? Thanks for your helpful input.
The Magic of Jim Percy
President Central Illinois Magicians Association |
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
If I ever have someone specify the "no balloons" rule, I usually ask if there's a problem or allergy that I should be aware of prior to the show, because I may have a particular effect that utilizes a balloon.
If I've ever had anyone say NO to balloons, it was because they didn't want the upgrade for the show. And there's one family I entertain in one of my restaurants that has a mom with a latex allergy, and I have to remember that. Steve |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Have you identified the problem yet, by talking with your customer?
Otherwise, you're just guessing, which isn't good. Perhaps she personally didn't like the squeaking noise of balloons, or didn't like sound of balloons popping, or was concerned about latex allergies or infants choking on balloon pieces. Or she didn't like how her kids behave around balloons. Or ..., or ..., or ... ??? I have done a birthday show at a venue where balloons were not allowed. Not just animal balloons, but all latex products (other balloons, etc). - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Latex allergies are a big consideration for some. I'll bet she did not tip you either.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
yfoog New user Springfield, Il 61 Posts |
Nope, no Tip. Also I would have thought if there were allergies, she would have said something, as her daughter was touching the balloons on the balloon wand. And if there were allergies to be concerned with I would have definitely changed things.
I have performed in a local Children's Hospital where there are concerns with Latex Allergies, and I did change things up to accommodate the venue. My impression is that the mother just hates balloons. I guess one thing I learned is that I need to specify that I do use some balloons, other than making animals, in the routine when booking the shows, as to not have this type of misunderstanding happen again. Still I wounder weather to just use this as a learning experience and let it be. Or make amends or apologize, as I do not want a possible bad reference, although they do happen from time to time.
The Magic of Jim Percy
President Central Illinois Magicians Association |
magicalmischief Loyal user Massachusetts 239 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-14 11:36, Al Angello wrote: People get TIPPED? I get thank yous and great jobs, and very funny... but never have I been tipped.
Seems to me that death is just natures way of telling us to SLOW DOWN!
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Keep in mind if there was a latex allergy in the house, if you simply even shook hands with a kid or adult on the way out, or the person with the allergy had contact with that prop (little kids coming up to see a prop is common in this business of course), well, that contact could set off the allergy.
My wife HATES balloons, she hates that "squeeeeeek" that they make, she hates the knowledge that at some point the balloon may hit something sharp and pop it, and she most of all hates the "POP!". Some people just hate balloons, no matter where they are or are in. Isn't there a "balloon phobia" name out there for this? (Waiting for Harris, I'm betting he knows the name). If someone said "no balloons" to me, in all honesty, and this is after doing this a long time, would take any and all balloons out of my act. It's just one of those lessons for you..as we've all had many of these lessons I"m sure along the way. |
yfoog New user Springfield, Il 61 Posts |
The fear of balloons is known as globophobia and is defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of balloons, despite the understanding by the phobic individual and reassurance by others that there is no danger; a strong fear of, dislike of, or aversion to balloons". This phobia is classified as an uncommon phobia even though there are many people who suffer from globophobia.
Taken from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article......ons.html
The Magic of Jim Percy
President Central Illinois Magicians Association |
yfoog New user Springfield, Il 61 Posts |
I think the misunderstanding arose when I was on the phone with her booking the show. I asked if she would like me to do balloon animals, and she commented that she did not want balloons. I took that to mean the balloon twisting, not No balloons what so ever.
The Magic of Jim Percy
President Central Illinois Magicians Association |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I can see how the misunderstanding happened you thought she was saying no to the modelling balloon add-on whereas she was actually specifically asking for no balloons. A simple misunderstanding, noones fault.
However, I wouldn't have done the second balloon effect. I'd have apologised and explained the misunderstanding then worked the funhouse balloonless. George edit: I wrote this while you were posting that hence the reitteration of the point you just made |
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