An Impromptu Script

I think my favorite part about twisting balloons is talking with tables that are enjoying themselves. I enjoy playing off what they have to say and generally having fun with them. But as much as I enjoy playing around the table, I have a brief script that I use to try to get conversation started.

My script is neither long nor set, just a couple of jokes and conversation starters to get things going. I don't always use it, but it sure is nice to know what to say when I approach a table.

Here is what I say to get things started:

Hi there. How are you. I am great. Would you like a balloon today? What would you like? What color?

Okay, nothing groundbreaking so far.

How old are you? Seven? Cool. I guess that puts you in, what, the second grade?

Unless it is near the end of the school year, the best guess for the grade is the age - 5. If I am surprised by how old they are for their grade I stop at this point and try to think of something else.

How do you like the second grade? Good. I loved the second grade...both times.

This gets a good laugh sometimes. The kids don't always get it, but the parents do. I think it is important to entertain everyone at the table, not just the kids.

I have a few other stock jokes that I have ready if I need them. I like being spontaneous, but it helps to prepare for spontaneity.

I would love to hear some stock jokes and conversation starters that you have.

Size matters

I wrote the following back in 2007.  For the most part I think there are some good ideas in it, but I don't honestly know if I agree with myself.  Comments to follow.

A friend of mine has recently changed his approach with twisting. He has given up on making anything quick and easy and now makes very elaborate sculptures for everyone. He tells me that normally he doesn't even ask what the kids want. I must admit that I am curious to see how he does with it.

I have been twisting balloons for more than a decade now. For most of that time I have twisted in restaurants to some degree or another. When I started I would make simple bears, flowers, dogs, etc. If I really wanted to get impressive, I would put a bear on a heart.

I had a lot to learn. However, I don't remember anyone ever complaining. Quite the opposite, in fact. Kids were still thrilled to see me and the adults enjoyed it too.

So this leads me to the question. Obviously, making bigger, more elaborate sculptures takes more time, but smaller, simpler sculptures are generally less impressive. What is the better approach for restaurant work?

I much prefer to get to make the more impressive ones, personally. I think most serious balloon artists do. For one thing, I really don't want what I make to look like anything that someone could make on the first pass from a kit they bought at Wal-Mart. For another, I enjoy the challenge.

One night, however, I decided to leave some of the bigger ones out of my list of possibilities. If someone had asked, I would have done it, but I was just not going to offer. My tips significantly increased that night. I think part of it was a fluke, but not all of it. It is hard to not make more money when you hit twice as many tables.

Let's also look at it from the restaurant's perspective and the customers. First, the restaurant. Now either the restaurant will be full or it won't. If it is not, I believe that the manager and the waitstaff just want to keep the customers happy. On the other hand, if the restaurant is on a wait (i.e. full) then tables need to turn. If tables are waiting for you to come by the table after they eat then you are keeping the tables from turning. The servers could be losing out on tips and the restaurant is not selling as much food.

From the customers perspective, a table will almost always be happier with bigger, prettier balloons. However, they will be happier with a simple balloon than none at all. If you spend all your time making one balloon, people will get tired of waiting.

I think there is a definite case for making smaller balloons...but don't go overboard. Although it might sound a bit pompous, I do think of myself as a bit of an artist. I take pride in my work and I love hearing people say "You are the best I have ever seen."

I think the best approach is to practice the harder balloons when the restaurant is slow or at home and include them when you can do them sufficiently fast.

As far as the really big ones, they have their place, but I would say that restaurants are not that place. Save them for birthday parties.

It is still the case that I go all out despite the logic above.  I really think it is well thought out and probably makes the most business sense for me and the restaurant.  The truth is, however, that I don't just twist to make money.  The money is nice and even serves as validation for me that I am doing a good job, but I twist for myself.  I like to do it.  If I didn't, I could probably find something more profitable to do with my time.

So, for now, I think I will stick with making whatever I feel like.

I would love to hear your feedback on this one.

The Origins of Blog

I was twisting balloons this morning in an IHOP and I started thinking about the size of balloons that I make. On one hand, I can make small balloons that are quick to churn out but are not as impressive as I would like. On the other hand, I could spend about half an hour per table and leave most of the kids in the restaurant wanting.

I had some thoughts on this as well as the way that it would be perceived by the waitstaff and the management of the restaurant. As my thoughts evolved I realized I would like somewhere to record these thoughts and possibly open them up for others to read. That is why I decided to start this blog.

Right now I don't really plan on posting how to make different sculptures. Instead, I am going to take a more theoretical approach. I want to talk some about the business, character, etc. I may change my mind and start posting tutorials. I don't really have anything against posting tutorials, I just don't really feel a drive to do it.

I hope you find this blog to be useful. If you want to know more about me personally, you can visit my website at http://www.amazingbarry.com Right now the site won't tell you much about me, but you can send me an email.