From lm03_cif@uhura.cc.rochester.edu Sat Mar 21 19:52:39 1992
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From: lm03_cif@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Larry Moss)
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1992 19:52:26 -0500
X-Mailer: Mail User's Shell (7.2.3 5/22/91)
To: balloon@gawain.cif.rochester.edu
Subject: only in New York
Status: O

A few days ago Jim posted his story about getting large tips and great
reactions from crowds by doing nothing but balloons.  My story is
slightly different, to say the least.  After reading Jim's story I knew I
needed to write this up as soon as I could get a few minutes.  He gets
$15 tips.  Here's what I get....

	Whenever possible it's obviously best to cater performances to
your audience.  The more you know about a group of people, the easier it
is to entertain them.  I learned this when I first started performing.
It can of course be very difficult to know what to expect from various
different people.
	A friend of mine asked me just recently what it is about New York
City that I like so much.  That is, what is it about New York that I like
that I can't find anywhere else.  As he pointed out, all big cities have
tall buildings, theaters and museums.  He also mentioned the
overcrowding, the pollution, and the expense of living in the city.
After thinking about this for a bit, I decided that it was the people.
New Yorkers just have a different kind of personality that I enjoy being
around.  They have a personality that can't be matched anywhere else.
	Only a few days after having this conversation about the city I
went there to visit my parents and some friends.  Needless to say I
wasted no time in showing off the fantastic new balloon sculptures I've
learned over the last few months.  What better place to do this than a
small restaurant that we're sitting in while waiting for our coffee and
hot chocolate?  After all, I always get good reactions in restaurants
when I take out balloons.  Sometimes someone there will end up hiring me
to entertain at a birthday party.  Occassionally the waiter or waitress
will offer to take something off the bill in exchange for a balloon or
two.  Often I don't actually get anything out of having done this except
the satisfaction of having entertained a group of people.  I never know
exactly what's going to happen, but those that are interested are always
at least very polite -- at least they are everywhere I've done this
except New York.  That unique New York personality that I was bragging to
Jeff just a few days earlier was at this moment about to let me down.
	While waiting for our waiter I made my favorite balloon
sculpture, a one balloon Snoopy on a motorcycle.  The waiter arrived at
the table, took our order, looked over snoopy, looked back at me and said
in a harsh and doubtful voice, "can ya make an elephant?"
	"Sure," I said.
	"Make an elephant."  On that he picked up Snoopy and walked off.
I thought this was very odd behavior for someone that would certainly be
expecting a tip later, but because I love playing with balloons I figured
I'd make an elephant for him.
	He came back a few minutes later with our drinks.  After
carefully examining the elephant he said, "If I was makin' an elephant I
would make the tail shorter."  Then he started to walk off with that
balloon also.
	"No one said you could have those," blurted out Myriam.
	"He can make more," replied the waiter.
	Only moments later he returned with another request.  "My boss.
He's a big fat guy.  His name's Nick.  Can ya make a big fat guy an'
write Nick on it?"
	"What do I get in return?"
	"Whaddaya mean, 'get in return'?"
	"Well, you give me food and I give you money.  What do I get if I
give you another balloon?"
	"Why should you get anythin'?  Of course you gotta pay for the
food I give you.  This IS a restaurant."
	"Look, I get paid to do this stuff.  If you give me another cup
of hot chocolate we can call it even."
	"If you want hot chocolate you have to pay for it."
	I gave him a business card.
	I eventually did decide to make Nick for him and left that as his
tip.  This wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I was talking about how
great the people in New York are, but I did learn a lesson about what
makes New Yorkers different from the rest of the world.

Larry

ps.  One of these days I do hope to get back to posting more instructions
for stuff.