Can anybody else relate to this?
You're working a "hat" event, and in between your scheduled sets you stoll around to do a "trickle" or a street show to make some extra bucks. But alas, you are set upon by the following:
1) Cast/crew members who think you're there to entertain them
2) Cast/ crew/ vendors who view you as a free babysitting service for their demon spawn children
3) Cast/ crew/ patrons who just want to "chat" with you
4) Cast/ crew/ patrons who "lurk" aorund while you're performing, trying to pick up some methods.
I try to be cordial, and I have no problem whatsoever in being as assertive as I need to, but this past weekend I feel like I was playing "Whack A Mole".
As soon as I shooed off one distraction, another waste of my time would roll in and take his place. I wanted to just shout, "P*SS OFF!!! I'M WORKING!!!"
There. I feel better now that I vented...
Cheers,
Mike

Gently place your arm around their shoulder and politly tell them just that. "I'm working here and I need to focus my attention on the paying customers, so we'll play later." If that doesn't work tell them to "**** off" and !@#$% to the E.D.

good luck