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wizaird New user 14 Posts |
Hi there folks my name is Dave and I have been asked to work in an italian restaurant doing close-up at the tables. This is new to me and I was wondering the best way to work my way around the tables, (i.e.)at random, rather than one table next to the one I have just been at, or working my way around the room in say a clockwise fashion? Maybe you guys have some tips?
Many thanks Dave |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Hi Dave,
I'll be working my restaurant this evening. Assuming you have your routines set up and polished, get to learn the layout of the seating plan. Ask for a table number seating chart, so in case a waiter, waitress says table # 36 would like to see you, you'll know where to go. Dave, what I do when I start is to just look around, be aware of who is still looking at their menu, who may have ordered and are waiting. You'll notice some people not talking and just stairing into space. Others may in deep conversation. There may be families with children or maybe one parent with a child or two. After evaluating this I just pick a table (not while they are eating) and politely say "Hello, how is everyone?" Wait for an answer, look and act and be concerned. I usually ask if it's their first time at the restaurant. I strike up a little conversation and then introduce myself as the house magician, and compliments of the management would like to entertain them for a few short minutes. Almost always they say yes. To get to your question, I hop around, so to speak, at the restaurant. I have no set pattern. I sometimes will stroll into the waiting area if there is a long line and entertain there for a while. Often times the wait staff will let me know of a table they think would enjoy my services. Just be aware and with time and experience you'll get to read people for the most part. Be polite, know when to wrap it up, especially when the food comes. Once you entertain the first table you'll do fine. (NERVES) Just remember, you are there to enhance their dining experience. The focus is on the clientele not on you. Just have a good time and give a good performance as was mentioned on other posts in this forum. You might want to look at the other posts on this table hopping forum. There is a lot of great advice. Hope this helps: David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Davidpaul$ is right; there is no set plan. You should hit the tables in order of their arrival, appearing table-side after they have ordered but before the food arrives.
(That's the ONLY time you should perform at a table, anyway.) Unless a waitstaffer calls you over to a specific table, follow the "first-come, first-served" policy and you should be all right. |
Kaliix Inner circle Connecticut 1984 Posts |
As has been said, you want to hit a table after the order has been taken but before the food arrives.
I keep an eye on who has menu's and when the menu's disappear from the table (meaning the waitstaff has taken the order). Any one seen doodling on the menu, blankly staring off into space or sitting quietly with little or no conversation are prime candidates for a complimentary magic show.
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel J. Boorstin |
Andy Charlton Veteran user Palma Nova Mallorca Spain 311 Posts |
I would like to interject a little hobby horse of mine, and that is HIT EVERY TABLE!
Obviously , if someone is in deep conversation etc, leave them till later, but in general don't "Cherry pick" the soft targets, (Kids etc) You will often find that the group who are not beckoning you over are just shy, and would love to see what you do. Also if you start avoiding groups because they are a certain kind of group, ie young guys, hen parties, football fans or whatever, sooner or later you will finish up approaching no-one. It's amazing how often the party you were most aprehensive about is the one that appreciates you most. Sometimes it's the other way round. One of the worst tables I ever had to entertain was a group of teachers etc. from our local infants school. Something to do with having to be in complete control all of their working lives, and not wanting to relinquish that I guess Of course, if you do get a hard time at a table, Walk away. Tip: With a rowdy group, pick the ringleader and make him the center of attention, the Star of the show. He'll be your friend for life, or at least for 10 minutes, which is all you need when table hopping. My thoughts Andy
"Keep that smile on your face, that excitement in your eyes." - Don Driver
Check out www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com or www.andysmagic.com |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Good advice from Andy, especially on making the "ringleader" the star of the show.
It will work! Just one point: You may not be ABLE to hit every table; you'll be able to judge that after a while. In that case, pick the bigger, "fun" tables -- the ones making the most noise -- and management will notice! :wavey: |
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
Funny. I used to hit the tables after they had finished their meals.
1.) It psychologically tells the table that the meal has been concluded and that they have also had their entertainment to conclude their evening. This in turn tends to move the table for a better turn over for the restaurant which they always appreciated. 2.) It was great "kid control" by performing afterwards. If the table is "new" and have not seen you before, you walk by and welcome them and ask one of the kids "You like magic?" or something like that and then say "Well I am the magician here and as long as you are really good and Mom and Dad say it's ok, then afterwards I will come by and do some magic and maybe a balloon animal for you too." (Do not say the later if you don't do balloon animals as it will not be in your best interest). Anyway, the parents always loved this as it always kept the kids in line (you could sometimes hear the parents say "behave or NO magic) and after a few visits to the restaurant, the kids would spend all week trying to think up various balloon animals to try to stump me, they all wanted to see my special "trick of the week" for them, and I even got a few of them interested in magic because of what I did). Also, by knowing which tables I had to do later, allowed me for better time management by knowing what was coming up and allowed me to focus on the adult only tables and the ones already finished. When it was really busy, I would sometimes do several tables at once (many will watch you working from the other table and so don't be afraid to involve them too, which also entertains them all at the same time. When you have 8 tables to do within 15 minutes, this sometimes works out to be the best solution. It becomes a large stage show in the round at times. As you become aquainted with the staff and as they get to know you, they may also call on you for damage control if something went wrong with the tables order, to help smooth things over with some entertainment and such, which will usually help AND I also found that when you approach the table, ask them how they have been enjoying themselves so far. If they have a complaint about something (and many times they will tell you and not their server or management. Some people don't like to make waves and you are the most non-threatening person there, so they will tell you), listen to them, and let them know that you are sorry for the trouble and will make sure that management is aware of the problem and then when you are done that table, go to the manager on duty and inform them of the displeasure. It will only take a minute and management will thank you for it too. If they are not aware of a problem, they can't fix it. You do in fact represent the restaurant and if the people think the restaurant is a "third rate joint" - YOU are a part of that too. If they see management deal with their complaint right away, after you have heard their problem, and tried to make their eveneing more enjoyable with some entertainment, you will come out smelling like the perverbial rose and they WILL remember you too. I have other ideas/tips for working in restaurants and other venues in my book. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
There are a couple of reasons why I would not hit the tables after the meal:
If there was anything wrong with the food or service, the customers would expect me -- as the closest representative of the restaurant -- to do something about it. And I wouldn't be able to, nor would I want to. I am part of the entertainment, not the waitstaff, the kitchen staff, or the management. But more importantly, from the management's viewpoint (and that's who's paying you!), to hit a table after the meal is finished is to keep that table occupied, often for an inordinate length of time. Management wants to turn those tables as fast as possible, to maximize the income. And that applies to upscale restaurants as well as roadhouses. Sure, the customer will want you after the meal; there is then no time limit on how long you will have to spend with them (you could be stuck with one table for an hour, while others are waiting to see you). It's up to you to manage the time available to the best of your ability. And spending 10 times as long with one table as another isn't doing that. My current lecture, Real-Life Table Hopping, stresses the point that the best -- and, actually, the only -- time to hit the table is between when the order is taken and the food arrives. I suppose it's possible to hit the tables after the meal, just as I suppose it's possible to serve the dessert first! |
nums Veteran user I have a life, or I would have more than 366 Posts |
I agree with Peter. After the meal is bad for turn around. Also as I do three kids type resturaunts during the week and an adult (geared towards adults rather than x-rated). I work the tables during the week and the lobby on the weekends as it makes the 1+ hour wait more enjoyable and prevents people from sitting waiting for me to show up
My 2 cents Jeff |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
When I had my residency, I also did tables AFTER the meal when people were on coffee, everyone is more relaxed and receptive. However, this depends on the sort of VENUE you work at. In a busy get them in, fed, and out, place it would be no good. I worked on a quieter night to draw people in,rather than on a busy Friday/Saturday when the place would be busy and not need anything to draw people in anyway.
Obviously, it was agreed I was also flexible. If it got busy then I might entertain people before the meal or in the bar waiting to be seated. Restaurants in the UK are not really as family orientated as in the USA. People don't waste money taking kids to expensive restaurants when all the kids want is a burger and fries lol. re; "If there was anything wrong with the food or service, the customers would expect me -- as the closest representative of the restaurant -- to do something about it." Peter, where I worked there was nothing wrong with the food re; "to hit a table after the meal is finished is to keep that table occupied, often for an inordinate length of time." ??? Some of us know when to move on!!! Just because it is possible to stay longer doesn't mean we do a 40 minute spot! The usual 2 or 3 tricks still apply and there is no chance of being interupted. So I disagree before the meal is the ONLY time to hit the tables. Nothing is ever set in stone. Best wishes, Paul. |
TiendaMagia Regular user Spain 134 Posts |
Well...I would obviously say that there is not a only way to do it.
It depends on the restaurant. It's not always in the restaurant manager's best interest to have people to leave quikly. If the restaurant is half full, the best interest for them is to have people stay so the restaurant will look better with more people in. Also I usually hit the table inmediately after they have ordered desert, And I think this is the best time usually. because you have time to do 5 minutes of magic before the desert actually comes. And they are at the end of their meals. But you don´t make them stay longer than they had planned.- Reading all your post, I am glad to see that there are so many profesionals here and willing to share experiences with you. Regarding the first question in the topic I would like to add that the best aproach for me is to finish a table and then try to go to the furthest table posible(wich meets my criteria). So I won´t have the people who just saw me watching the show again ,wich I really think is bad ,since they are now just looking for the secret and they are not really being misdirected now that you are working with the other table.
Cordially
Mariano Sosa Magic Store in Europe http://www.tiendamagia.com Foro de magia en Castellano! www.magiapotagia.com |
wizaird New user 14 Posts |
Thankyou all for your support in this area as this is a new one for me. I have done stand up several times at parties, etc. but no restaurants. So next Sunday is the big night.
I had wondered that if I were to show someone a five minute slot at there table and people at the next table were watching as well whether or not it would be a good idea to involve them in a card trick like twisted sisters you know the one, rather than avoid that table and walk past it and seem a bit rude. Anybody else use this idea and if so what effects are good for two tables? |
Jason London Loyal user Napa Valley 207 Posts |
Greetings,
Yes, it's always good to involve others around you. Even better when the table next to you is watching what your doing. Take a few steps back and tell them it's ok for them to watch. Then start doing your set for both tables. Not only will your applause be much louder at the end of your set, but you MIGHT get tips from both tables! You might want to pick an effect that will play well to both tables. Professors Nightmare, Coins Across, or even a Bill Switch would work great in those situations.
Jason London
This space for rent |
dynamiteassasin Inner circle Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan 1158 Posts |
That's right. Familiarize the seating arrangement first. Then first who arrives first receives your magic.
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MYMagic New user Florida 24 Posts |
Doing two tables may increase your applause but you might find yourself in the way. Watch where you stand and don't interfere with the wait staff.
May your day be filled with MAGIC!
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