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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Over the last couple of months, I have a family come in every Tuesday Night. Mom, Dad, 4 year old son, infant little brother. This little guy cannot be satisfied with ANYTHING that I make for him. He has this picture in his brain of what he wants and if what I create doesn't look exactly like what he envisions, then he has a meltdown. I have learned to ask him specific details of what he's expecting so I can "get it right" for him, but no matter what...the tear factory starts up in high gear.
His parents always apologize for his behavior and say that they come back time and time again b/c of how much their son loves what I do?!?!?!? My skill level isn't as high as many of you on here I'm sure, but I have gotten to the point where so long as I know what it looks like, I can make it. Is there anything that anyone can suggest to help me out of this particular situation. I feel as if I cannot just ignore them when they come in, but feel like I'm wasting my time with the little guy and ultimately, he's going to be upset in the end. Help! Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
You could ask him to draw what he wants, and bring in the drawing to the restaurant the next time.
Or you could tell him that as a special customer you are going to do something special for him. Then give him no choice, but make him something good. Take the control away from him.
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DATMagic Veteran user Shreveport, La 302 Posts |
I agree with Tony, I had a similiar situation where I could never make the little guy happy. The next time he came in I told him I had been waiting for him and was going to surprise him with a new creation. I'd make sure not to have one already in the restaurant. His job was to guess what or who it was. He always guessed it right, always was proud of himself, and I started getting large tips from mom and dad. I think they were more pleased the way I eventually learned to deal with their son than with my creations. One hint, always get to him quick or make eye contact with him as soon as he gets in to let him know he is important in your eyes.
Good Luck, David
David A Trombetta
DAT does the Trick DATdoestheTrick.com email [email]DATMagic@aol.com[/email] |
MagicB1S Inner circle Knoxville Tenn. 1039 Posts |
Great advice David, I would also like to add If you decide to take the choice away from him then make sure his Balloon is something special... Bigger and Better then any other Balloon you make while he is in the rest.
"There are Tricks To All Trades.... My Trade is all Tricks"
"An amature practices until he gets it right. A Professional Practices until he can't get it wrong" www.Themagicchest.webs.com bobswislosky@yahoo.com |
Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Hooboy! Been there ... I would be careful going the route of doing something "extra-special" just for him, that's a rabbit hole you may never climb out of.
Realize that it's not about you and that it is about you. He believes you can do anything, but is having difficulty communicating his desire. It's a phase he's going through. It's not uncommon that he really does like coming to you for a balloon, but is unable to control his emotions of disappointment. A similar situation can arise if a child wants the color red and you have run out of red. Sometimes a child equates "not available" as "you can't have" and takes it as a personal rejection. I remember going on a field trip to a public library. I searched the catalog, found a book I wanted and cried when it wasn't on the shelf. It had been checked out. I remember the adults trying to explain it to me but I couldn't understand. I had gotten my hopes up and was very hurt that I couldn't have what I wanted. If it was in the catalog, why couldn't I have it? If you can talk to a child care worker who works with his age you might pick up some good tips on how to re-direct his disappointment. OR, it might be that he is a brat that loves the attention of throwing a tantrum ... |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Thanks for the comments everyone...
I actually subscribe to the "don't ask" system. I tell kids that I know what they want more than they know what they need. This way, I'm able to really show off what I can do and I don't get stuck in the dog/sword boat all night. However, with this child that didn't work. The first three nights he came in, I made him some downright awesomeness which he hated b/c he wanted something different. So I learned and began to ask him what he wanted and thus, the problem begins. I like Tony's idea...I'll have him draw me EXACTLY what he wants and I'll try and sculpt it from his drawing. @Wes...I don't think THIS particular child is a brat (unlike others I encounter). I think he's a great kid but has some behavioral issues that his parents are trying to work thru. If he was just a little brat, I wouldn't care and he should be lucky with what he gets from me!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Maybe have him help with the creation. Something along the lines of:
'What color should I use now? Where should I put it? You want a twist here?' Not sure if this may open up another can of worms but maybe that way he'll take ownership of it since he helped create it.
Life of Magic!
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Good advive Leland...I'll try that! :O)
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
preston eakins Regular user battle creek, michigan 184 Posts |
Have a wait staff mix some xanax in his pop before you get to him lol but seriously there will be kids with mental issues that can't be helped. just do the best you can
or don't let him choose what he wants. say you have been working on something. my son had issues such as this and worse growing up went form diagnosis to diagnosis. what this kids has can be a high functioning and undiagnosed diagnostics form of autism for him to wish for something so specific. it is not you I have seen some of your pics and the videos some people are just not able to be pleased on sight, but later he must go home and think you really did try and he says he is sorry to his parents for his actions something you don't seem to hear but since they bring him back it must happen somewhere!!! |
Beowulf Loyal user Thomas A. Lilly 284 Posts |
Had a couple of these encounters in the last year or so. I listen carefuly and do as requested, but the child is not happy with the result; it isn't what he wanted! Child can't quite manage to describe what he does want, and the melt-down begins. In all these cases the Mom tries to appease the child, to tell him that I have done as requested. And when I offer to try again, the Mom assures me that it isn't me, it is just how the child is. Really seems to be an emerging personality type.
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Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
I have to add on that, personally, I won't want to spend too much time on him. Remember that you are hired to do balloon twisting for your client's guests, not for HIM only. (I assume that Chris is hired to do balloon twisting for the owner's diners)
I'll do my best to twist a balloon that he likes, or at least involved in the twisting process. If he still makes noise after that, I'll say, "Son, take this balloon first, see how nice it is. Hold on to it, I'll come back later to see if you still like it". Then, I'll move on to other guests. Let the parents handle the situation, at least. After you have entertained other guests, come back to him and see if the situation improves, or if you need to retwist something nicer for him. Remember, you are paid to entertain the guests, not just a guest. |
Juliegel Loyal user 294 Posts |
We have all seen this situation at some point or another. I happen to know of a certain little girl who had this issue. She would ask for something like a mirmaid and as I handed it to her she would begin to mention things I "forgot". Where are the scales on her fins? Why doesn't she have any ears? I have found that the best way of handeling the situation is not to keep upgrading (yeah like I'm going to start twisting individual scales) but start downgrading. When she asks for something I make her the bare bones minimum while still keeping my level of quality. I then allow her the very special privlage of decorating her balloon just right with whatever marker she wants. The balloon normally looks like garbage once she is done as she makes large bushy cheeks, bangs, teeth, and fingernails but she walks away happy that she got exactly what she envisioned.
I think it is important to realize that there is not a one piece fix for this situation and none of these ideas will work for every child. Kids know what they want and how they want you to give it to them. I would like to note that it would be wise to avoid the extra special balloon idea. In the medical field we have something called a negative feedback loop which basically means that something bad happens somewhere that causes the same bad thing to happen in the same place worse the next time until total failure. You would make something awesome and special today and then next week he is going to expect the same or better quality. You may get by for a bit but the. You begin to run out of same level material. You have to go up a notch to keep him interested and this will continue until you are making huge impractical things. Other tables are going to expect the same and you will be in a heap of trouble. It is a can of worms best left sealed. Just something to consider. Dylan |
Samriklown New user 15 Posts |
Hi Christopher,
There are several things of note I'd like to take a quick moment to address. (and even a few of them deal with your original post) 1st-Kids have No control over anything in their lives, we as parents tell them everything they can and can't do, even when to get up and when to go to bed (reminds me of my time in boot camp). Giving the child the choice of their own creation gives them a little feeling of independence, and a freedom of choice they seldom get elsewhere. Let them have a choice, but feel free to tell them all the other wonderful things you do as well which brings us to..... 2nd-you don't have to get stuck in the dog/sword rut. Kids will almost always ask for swords and dogs because that's all they have EVER seen made out of balloons. Think of all the part timers or lipstick clowns walking around for free from some benevolent organization handing out three twist dogs and one twist swords. It's a malady I've been fighting for almost 25 years myself. YOU DON"T HAVE TO MAKE A SWORD. There I said it. You can say "no!". I personally say I just don't make them. When someone suggests I don't know how, I parry with "I didn't say I couldn't, I said I wouldn't....and with 1600 other balloons to choose from why would you want just a simple sword?" I have been doing some derivation of that for the last 15 years with great success. You can also point out to mom and dad that when you make swords boys play with them like swords and the last thing you want on your conscience is little johnny beating dad in the head on the ride home. Believe me, if they've been there before, they will appreciate it. 3rd-If the child in question truly likes you, as his parents say, then it is time to come to an accord with him, have a peace summit with him as it were. He doesn't feel like you are hearing him, and at some point it sounds like you may be missing a beat. (Without being there it's very hard to diagnose the problem, or give a sound solution) But in time, you will see eye to eye. 4th-Never, under any circumstances do a special "just for you balloon" that nobody else in the restaurant can have, unless you are working for tips and it is their birthday, then it can be justified, but only just barely. The larger you go, the bigger they want. AND it grows exponentially. Finally, look around, ask folks for stuff they've never seen made out of balloons before (I've invented a moose and duck billed platypus that way), and have fun, because if you are, then they are Professor Twist |
Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-05-07 00:53, Samriklown wrote: 1600? I can make 80,000 different balloons. 79,456 of them look like a dog. |
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