MiloCast

One of the things magicians learn over time is this: To get anywhere with an audience, they have to like you first. As in most other areas in life, performers must have a likable personality to achieve success in an intimate setting. An often-repeated truth in the magic world is that if they like you, they will love the simplest trick. If they don’t like you, a display of great dexterity and skill will get you nowhere.

While it’s fun to discuss magic with my readers, I’m sure most of you aren’t magicians (muggles, laymen, or perhaps “normal” people), so it is important that I tie these little excursions in with useful, real-world information. Although many of you may already do this (perhaps without realizing it), remember to treat the people you encounter in your daily life like people. Some people treat a waitress or store clerk like an ATM — present card, receive what you want, go on with your important day. Others take the time to say hello, ask how they are (don’t ask if you plan to continue speaking without waiting for an answer), or in some other way acknowledge them as a fellow human being.

While I’m sure most people don’t realize the effect they are having on others, I suspect that a lack of this kind of respect is largely responsible for rude or indifferent service everywhere from airports to fast-food restaurants. Not only will being more aware of this make their day (and yours) a little better, you may be surprised to find out that some people you didn’t even notice yesterday have perks, upgrades, and other goodies available at their discretion. A magician I know takes the time to perform a little magic for airline employees while checking in, and sometimes gets a free seating upgrade. They make the person serving them feel important. Try getting that kind of service by impressing them with how important you are…