Here are two I learned, almost the hard way -

Never pull out a gaffed deck in a casino, unless you have clear permission from the proprietors. I performed for a charity night once and it was fine because they knew in advance what I was doing (and the cards were a different design from what the dealers were using). Another time I was in a casino where a friend was working and asked if she wanted to see something. She stopped me just as I was reaching into my coat pocket for the deck, undoubtedly saving me a bit of trouble.

Also, be aware that in some places where others may be performing, you may have legal limitations. I was working on a cruise ship in a non-entertainment capacity and was not allowed to perform because it violated the contracts of the other entertainers the ship had hired.

Cheers,

Jason

Great stuff. If you all could learn to 'team juggle' while doing that I'd fly out to see it!

Actually, this would seriously be a turnoff

Maybe not in the restroom... they'd have scatological associations with your persona as a magician if you do it in there. Seriously.

Seems like many of us are thinking on the same wavelength! The first thing that came into my mind was funeral too. It's just not a right thing to do when others are mourning and you're trying to perform your brand new kickass COMEDY ROUTINE. Unless you were hired to be a 'babysitter' like Danny

However, I have always dreamed of performing some sort of gambler's routine in a casino where the players are allowed to handle the deck(which probably don't exist, anyway). But, hey, a man can dream, right?

In a moving car....

I once did that. It took five minutes after the car stopped to find all the dropped cards, and I still have a lost half dollar.

Sometimes it could just be the wrong effect at the wrong time:

Avoid the "living or dead" test at a funeral.

Avoid misers dream at the bank.

Cigarette productions in court.

Avoid stigmata in church.

Etc.

Umm, I don't think I would do it awaiting your turn in traffic court either...!!

My insight into this would be that some spectators do not like magic. If you can deduce this for an impromptu audience perhaps by a well placed comment or question then you can avoid performing your magic for deaf ears. For them a miracle is surely wasted.

Some very funny stuff on this thread.

One more place that I do not recall reading about is at Brick and Mortar Magic Shops unless invited to do so.

This happens all of the time where Mr. Magic walks in and wants to show his chops and does not buy a thing, Mr. Magic is happy to tell potential customers what free web page / e-book he learned his newest knuckle buster at and the urge to buy is shot. As a group of magicians we need to remember that the focus of the owner of that shop is to demo and sell us the latest and greatest gizmo / prop on the market. In order for this dieing breed to continue to be around in the future we need to remember that we should be supporting the local shops and not getting in the way when they are focused on selling. Controlling your urge to have a self fulfilling ego stroke at the expense of your local shop will go a long way to make sure that these hard working individuals are around for years to come.

My favorite post on this thread Look, Look, Look:

Well, I have broken just about every "rule" mentioned here.

Funerals - several people I know have passed away and ASKED for there to BE entertainment at their funerals and I was asked to do so. At other funerals, members of the family have asked me to distract the kids by doing some magic in the coffee room at the funeral home...

Casinos - have actually hired me to do strolling magic - while people were waiting for the boat to return to the shore (back in the days when Illinois casinos actually had to be sailing on the rivers)...

After the fun part with a significant other - by request (but it was usually hyposis and it was because she was into that sort of thing... don't ask a gentleman ever talks about such things).

With strangers in the street - no shouting "Watch this!" however... but doing street performance work at Ren Faires and festivals...

In a local magic shop without being invited to, mainly because nobody else was THERE! Yep, the guy behind the counter had gone to the back and I was the only one there, with a friend. And my friend asked about a specific trick that I had on me...

In court, during jury duty selection - the judge asked what I did for a living. He didn't believe me. Then he did.

When the cops pulled me over, late at night and didn't believe me when I said I was on my way home from a gig. Then he believed.

You get the idea...

Lee Darrow, C.H.

During another magician's(or other entertainers) Gig.

Whilst making love.
Dove and rabbit crap everywhere!

In a public restroom...whilst in your stall, you crack off a big one and then yell "TADAAAAAA!!!!

During your Selective Service Medical Exam. Military Doctors HATE finding strange things in places that they are not supposed to be!

During the delivery of your first child - levitating the kid is a sure way to get a visit from your local exorcist and maybe a trip to the local hoosegow for the intentional infliction of mental anguish on the delivery room staff!

Just a couple that even I wouldn't do!

:lol:

Lee Darrow, C.H.

During a dramatic movie or a wedding ceremony

If your potential audience is just one person.. and doing something other than a magic trick was on your mind when you tore open the condom packet... then it is probably not the best moment to suddenly decide to show your insignificant other the 'chosen coin through latex sheet' penetration.

Also at this point, try to avoid the temptation of inflating the condom and doing the needle through balloon penertration. Believe me, the last thing your audience, of one, wants to see at that moment is you stuggling to put a very small prick put in the end of it.

Neal

that's why you don't do cards in a moving car. Comon, its cards, 52 of them. I do magic in the car all the time. You just have to know with what. Its not that doing magic in the car is inappropriate, it is just a mater of convenience. -DP