Magic Stereotypes

[hiryuukatana]

Recently, I've started(about 2 weeks ago) doing some cardistry and card magic along with coin magic. However, today, my parents saw on some asian channel a story of how a child who started doing magic when he was 13 years old became a really talented gambler who cheated really well in private casinos as he grew older. Things were going well until he arrived at a private casino where others cheated just as well. He eventually lost all his money and would have committed suicide if not for his wife's help.

I've posted this because I've noticed that their are two stereotypes of magicians that I know and have been warned of: one is that of a cheat, the other is one of a person that has no future. Now, when my parents see me with a deck of cards, they repeatedly warn me of the consequences and frown on my actions. I know that I will not become a trickster or a swindler, but my parents don't believe me as they have seen me palm cards and coins before. Also, they saw cardistry such as sybil and charlier cuts which further concerns them as dexterity with cards equates to skillful cheating in their minds. How should I deal with my parents(I really don't want to give up doing magic)? And more importantly, what stereotypes have you all seen and how do you deal with them?

Thanks
-hiryuukatana

 

[vipermagic]

Just explain to them that you will only use the techniques for entertainment only and that you do not want to use magic for evil.

BTW welcome to the forums!

 

[StevenLevitt]

I use magic, not for no future, not for cheating, but for earning money and to entertain people.

 

[JamesAV305]

wow they sound very trusting and encouraging. If i were you i would just ignore it, from the sounds of things they are warning you but not enforcing anything. So it must not bother them that much. If you really want to try to win them over though i guess i would just show them people like David Blaine, and tell them that this is what you aspire to be, an entertainer, not a card cheat. And at the very least its a hobby, something to have fun with.

I mean if you practiced baseball would they be afraid that you were going to turn into a mobster that beat peoples heads in because they both use bats?

Explain to them that while they use the same tools (cards) they are very different. And that magic for the most part (excluding gambling routines) has nothing to do with cheating in cards.

Thats how i would go about it. good luck to you sir,
Victor Cruz

 

[StevenLevitt]

If you say David Blaine, they may see him doing his stunts, and think he is a nutter

 

[James Wise Magic]

Just tell your parents that magicians aren't here to being a fraud. We're hear to entertain. Yes, some people take advantage of their magic skills and use it for the wrong reasons, but I'm (you) aren't like that. And most magicians aren't either.

 

[JamesAV305]

If you say David Blaine, they may see him doing his stunts, and think he is a nutter

True, but i meant for him to show them one of his first 2 specials.

 

[GusEds]

"Magic is an art." Obviously, your parents have not seen a talented and enthralling performance. It may be hard in your case, but try to show them one. Not by yourself, but by professional magicians, such as Bill Malone and Tommy Wonder (his ACR is unbelievable) . Just try to steer away from the gambling tricks, eh?

Someone said earlier that you should igore your parents. Do not do so. This will only lead to them having more concerns about you. Have you thought of putting up a small show, for family and friends? Be sure to include children as well - but perform real hard hitting tricks.

Just some dust for the wind,
GW

 

[DLeerium]

Lol Asian parents, dw I can relate.
Tell them magic is a hobby, and a break from all the study that you do lol. Works for me

 

[blahblah]

dont tell them about daniel madison - he was a cheat, was in hospital for half a year, and know teaches kids about how to mark cards.

all good stuff

 

[hiryuukatana]

@vipermagic: thanks!

@StevenLevitt: i see that as well. thanks.

@James1Wise: that was one of my arguments but then they bring up the child who was there to entertain but evolved into something worse.

@DJDonkeyPuncher: i tried telling them the baseball anecdote but it didn't really convince them.

@G::Wadstrand: i filmed some stuff when i was at school and showed my parents a week after i started. it was pretty much ACR, biddle trick, and indecent and they were kind of interested until they saw that tv special.

@DLeerium: before magic came along, i did pen spinning(i still do it now) so my "break from academics" excuse dried up already lol.

@blahblah: i like daniel madison haha. thanks for the advice.

basically, my parents aren't enforcing a "no magic" policy but every time they see me with cards, coins, ziploc bag, etc. they seem disappointed in me. so, i guess i have to practice magic without them seeing then "wow" them one day with a collection of clips. thanks for the help.

 

[RedbeardThePink]

My advice?

Smile, nod, agree, then do whatever you were gonna do anyway. That's not always smart with parents, but if they're stepping on your dreams due to ignorance, you should respect yourself enough to not let them. I let my parents talk me out of chasing performance as a career, and now I'm realizing it's pretty much my only viable career field and I'm getting into it years behind the ball. Don't let that happen to you.

 

[dylxnxil]

First off, welcome to the forums! As for your question, you should tell your parents that you're not going to cheat, and maybe show them some videos of Andrei Jikh and like Zach Mueller. Both nice, clean magicians (and cardists), and look what they've done! Also, you should tell your parents that the only money you'll be getting off of this is from performances.