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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
...so the manager of my Friday Night gig approached me to night and told me that he had a complaint about me being there. Here's how the complaint went...
Customer: I just had a kidney transplant so I'm very health aware and the man over their who is making balloons is putting his mouth on them first and blowing them up and his saliva is going into the balloons. Do you realize that he could be spreading hepatitis to everyone that he comes in contact with. Manager: I'm pretty sure that our balloon guy doesn't have hepatitis. Customer: Are you sure, how do you know? Manager: I just do! Customer: Well why is he putting the balloons in his mouth first? Manager: I guess to inflate them. Why else would you put a balloon in your mouth? Customer: I just think it's unsanitary. As a restaurant guy with 20+ years in the trenches doing both magic and balloons, I thought I had heard everything. This was a new one on me!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
pslaughter Loyal user 270 Posts |
Yep, I don't get it either, but surprisingly I have heard this before...and more than once.
I've been mouth inflating for more years than I care to admit. I have never had a complaint, but I have heard folks talking about it. Then I just found out that on thus cruise gig I'm doing I have to use a pump because they don't allow balloon artists to mouth inflate for "sanitary" reasons. I still think it is a little crazy... |
preston eakins Regular user battle creek, michigan 184 Posts |
If you look at pasts posts I am sure there is more then one containing the mouth inflate vs pump debate
I take no stand on either side except to say I think if you do mouth inflate I think it would be a good idea to have a pump for those clients that feel it is unsanitary I feel the issue shouldn't be argued between us as it is most likely up to the performer and his/her clientele. |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I do have a battery pump...The Lyle Pump is the one that Nick Wegner sells (see here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1reZRW7d7wI
With that said, I normally just mouth inflate when I'm at gigs. Sometimes I will bring it with me but normally when I do restaurant work, my rig is parked in one spot and I go back and forth to get the balloons I need and prefer not lugging around a pump if I don't have to. I will normally use it if I'm going to make a large show piece of some sort but not on my normal stuff. In all my years, this is a first I have ever had someone complain about mouth inflating. Germafobes...gotta love em!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Sick & Twisted New user 70 Posts |
I normally use a majiloon to air up my balloons, and whenever someone asks why I'm not mouth-inflating, someone behind them in line always seems to come to my aid: "It's more sanitary like this." I just nod.
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Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Takes all types! I mouth inflate and have never gotten a complaint but I'm sure they're out there they just keep it to themselves.
Life of Magic!
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Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Or how about this one - customer complained to manager that the balloon exploded loudly, startled her (from across the restaurant) and I didn't apologize to her, personally. She promised to never come back if I was there.
It was one of those large watermelon shaped agates and yes, the explosion was very loud. I did throw a "sorry" into the air after it happened. The manager stood up for me and told her that Thursday was kid's night and she was welcome to come back on any other night. |
Sick & Twisted New user 70 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-21 10:34, Wes Holly wrote: Wow, that could have been bad. I'm glad things worked out for you, and it's a very good thing to have a nice manager in your court! |
EvansFlorida New user 98 Posts |
I use a pump for that reason, but don't get why people complain. One thing that I don't like however is how many balloon artists suck the bubble to the end of the balloon. I have never done that, but I have always wondered what people think about it when they get a balloon that was just literally in your mouth.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-21 10:34, Wes Holly wrote: My restaurants all have high ceilings and hard floors. That means that ECHOS are quite easy to achieve. When something pops on me, it's louder than it really is. The entire restaurant seems to come to a halt and everyone stairs at me. I just play it up. I strike and applause pose and everyone begins clapping. Thankfully, I don't pop very many.
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
JC Johns Regular user Annapolis, MD, USA 133 Posts |
My customers always complain when I mouth inflate. However, it is because I typically pass out after trying to blow up my third balloon. So, it is a pump for me.
There are odd people everywhere, so I say don't give it a second thought if this is your first "complaint" regarding this issue after so many years. |
PaulFlury New user 51 Posts |
I was a mouth inflator for a long time. Finally, three or four years ago, I heard a mother in the line mention how gross it was to receive a balloon that had been in someone’s mouth. I had never considered it but, drawing on one of my “rules of thumb” if one person says it, five are thinking it, I started using a pump. One side benefit I discovered: I have more time to talk to the kids and customers.
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CarlEJones Elite user Dallas, Texas 461 Posts |
Germs are real. Parents are concerned. ESPECIALLY in light of all the weird bugs out there. I only use a pump and parents have stated they like it better, on many occasions. Plus, there's a lot more time to interact with the kids and their parents.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I don't like using hand pumps for one reason. I do not like the "imagery" of the hand action in front of children. I know that Carl uses a Filbert pump and even tho they work great, I like those even less for that same reason. If you don't know what I'm talking about, this Justin Bieber looking guy does a good job of proving my point... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oeK7UMwIVE
We get a bad rap as it is due to the phallic nature of our balloons. People enjoy coming up to us and asking for a balloon p***s b/c they think it's funny! What it does is hack me off! Standing in front of children doing this back and forth motion with my hand doesn't help that and using a Filbert Style pump is even worse. This is also why I don't like the "apron" storage method for balloons, b/c it puts balloons right at our crotch. I don't want a child pointing at my crotch and saying I want a blue one. IMO, the only style of pump to use is a battery operated like my pump, or a majaloon. The rub here is when I do use my pump, I hear people saying "hey, you're cheating!" so it's a lose lose I guess. Yes, germs are real. But without germs around us every second, guess what. We'd all be dead! Just saying...
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
I use a Filbert, best pump ever! (imho) and I get far more "WOW!"s than "hay your cheating."
I don't quite get why using a pump gets a wow but it dose. and I love the "your cheating" line, I hand them a balloon, blow one up by mouth, say "your turn" or "Your kid gets it as soon as you blow it up". if they do get some air in it, I turn it away and use a new balloon, "I don't want a bag of your spit" then they get it. I talk and joke to much to waste time mouth inflating. and if your worried about the phallic nature of balloons, an then put it in your mouth to blow it up??
www.pokie-poke.com
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