Thread: Swords and Annoying Patrons

This weekend I was dancing in a restaurant and encountered two major annoyances while trying to use my sword.

I balanced it on my head and was just getting started with the slow build up moves when I felt a sudden weightlessness and thought I had dropped it. But there was no sliding sensation and no clattering sound to indicate it had hit the ground. I turned around and there was this man standing there, swinging my sword around in a most haphazard way.

The blade is not sharp, but it's very pointy and heavy and so that as dangerous. I put on my no-nonsense face and, keeping my distance so I didn't lose a hand, gestured for him to give it back. He eventually did, and I resumed, but it was difficult for me to continue without keeping him in my range of vision. Any time he moved behind me, I got nervous.

That was a first for me.

In addition to this, a fairly inebriated woman kept asking me if she could balance it. I told her no, but she kept persisting. This request is not a first for me, but usually when I tell people that the boss would get mad, they drop it. She kept following me around though, in my face, asking.

Finally, I cut the number short, put the sword away and stashed it behind the bar b/c I did not trust people to leave it alone.

I just don't understand why they were treating it like a public use toy. I'm always very careful to present the sword as sharp and dangerous and never ever grasp it by the blade, so I don't think they took that cue from me. They kept asking me if it was sharp, and I always replied with something that was neither affirmative or negative.

First off, I'm sharing this b/c it's kind of funny in an annoying looking back sort of way. Second, I have questions.

1. When people ask if it's sharp, what do you say?
2. How do you handle requests to balance your sword? Is there any circumstance in which you would allow someone to balance it?

Thanks in advance!

Something I never thought of... you have to be a dancer AND a diplomat.

I would've wanted to say something withering to those ass ferrets.

I don't think I'll be worrying about balancing a sword or a tray until my foot gets better. One false move, a lurch to the right, and there goes the grace and mystery!

Sorry to jump in. I'm interested in the responses from those who have "been there."

Originally Posted by ghazallah

I would've wanted to say something withering to those ass ferrets.

I can not wait til I can use the phrase "ass ferrets"!

I wanted to use some choice expletives and give them a lecture, but we have to preserve good will. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to go off on some one, but I don't want to make the whole room uncomfortable.

Heck no, in a restaurant or night club setting I would never hand over my sword to anyone. They could drop it on their toe or bonk some other patron with it, and the next thing you know, a lawsuit!
When people ask me if the sword is sharp, I just tell the truth and say no, it's not sharp, it's a prop. While trying not to let it show in my face what a stupid question I think it is.
Rosette

Originally Posted by Rosette

Heck no, in a restaurant or night club setting I would never hand over my sword to anyone. They could drop it on their toe or bonk some other patron with it, and the next thing you know, a lawsuit!

Yeah, this was always my fear too.

He took the sword off your head!!!! Wow. That takes the cake for bad audience behavior.

My favorite question is "Is that sword real?" No, it's a figment of your imagination. You must be tripping. I usually respond that the sword is made specifically for dancing and has features that make it suitable for that purpose.

Originally Posted by rachelw

He took the sword off your head!!!! Wow. That takes the cake for bad audience behavior.

I know of an instance where a dancer here was doing a sword routine for a very drunk crowd, and while she was kneeling and balancing, one *ass ferret* deliberately reached out his foot and knocked the sword off her head.

I suppose it would be undiplomatic to respond to the "Is it sharp?" question with "Take out your d*ck and let's find out"?

Originally Posted by Taj

I suppose it would be undiplomatic to respond to the "Is it sharp?" question with "Take out your d*ck and let's find out"?

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;, Love that retort!!!!

A friend of mine was dancing in a hookah club one night and she was "working" the sword. She had it balanced on her head and slowly walked up to a table...

All the sudden, a guy jumped up from the table and yelled, "Get that f**king sword away from me!"

She just walked away but felt embarrassed...

What is up with people and swords?

I guess they wanna be a gladiator or have been playing too many video games. They wanna be a sword slayer!! LOL

He took it off your head!!! Holy smokes! Yet another thing to be concerned about. The public just doesn't understand how dangerous this is! (Because we make it look easy).

When someone asks if they try balancing it, I state for insurance reasons I do not allow others to handle my sword.

If they require further explanation, I launch into the true story of when my BFF was practicing. It slid off her head, through her foot, pegging it to the hardwood floor below. The phone call I received after she managed to pull it out. The trip to the doctor, who made her repeat the story three times before prescribing two weeks of antibiotics & painkillers. That's usually enough to to get them to stop asking.

If they persist I smile, and put it away.

Originally Posted by Taj

I know of an instance where a dancer here was doing a sword routine for a very drunk crowd, and while she was kneeling and balancing, one *ass ferret* deliberately reached out his foot and knocked the sword off her head.

Now that is just wrong.. What a jerk!

I suppose it would be undiplomatic to respond to the "Is it sharp?" question with "Take out your d*ck and let's find out"?

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

Ahem!

People these days seem to have no concept of invasion of personal space!

I used to get the 'Can I have a go' thing loads and loads when I played an instrument in an orchestra. I learned the hard way that the answer always has to be 'No!'. Its not just the lawsuit stuff - there is no limit to the way in which other people are capable of casually breaking, disrespecting, or wandering off with someone else's property, even something like a dance sword.

I used to say. 'This cost £6000 to replace. Are you prepared to reimburse me should any damage come to it while its in your hands?' That used to make even the keenies back off.

I'm not trying to threadjack but can I ask why sword is performed in restaurants? I can understand it it there was an open space or nice stage area but I think of the local restaurants that I dance in and there's no way that it would be a safe or good idea.

I think it all depends on atmosphere and space. Many of the tribal fusion dancers that dance at the clubs here use swords. I see it a lot from cab dancers too. I personally think it all depends on space and audience...

LeylaFehada, you really encountered the general public at its worst at that gig! That's beyond annoying. Let's hope it was a one-time fluke and that most of the patrons there are better-behaved.

I perform with sword in restaurants because it is a crowd pleaser for these audiences. I think my sword is fairly benign. No sharp points or edges. I actually make balancing the sword on someone else's head part of the show sometimes. I pull them to the center of the room, get the sword balanced on their head, get them to do some arm movements, but remind them to be wary of the sword. If balancing on the head isn't working, I take it to the shoulder ... really the most secure spot, especially with clothing the help it stick.

I only do this sometimes, though, when the crowd is easygoing, fun, and kind.

I think if I had someone like the persistent women, or the man who took the sword, I would do as I saw a friend once do. She stopped dancing and politely yet firmly gestured, with an open and extended arm, for the audience member to leave the performance area and return to his seat. Eventually, though he was having hard time understanding this, his buddies got the picture and helped him back to his seat, and to stay there.

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

A friend of mine was dancing in a hookah club one night and she was "working" the sword. She had it balanced on her head and slowly walked up to a table...

All the sudden, a guy jumped up from the table and yelled, "Get that f**king sword away from me!"

She just walked away but felt embarrassed...

I can understand the guys reaction in this case. We present the sword as sharp and dangerous. Here you have the fear of it sliding off and injuring the man. I would be uneasy if a dancer came up to my table that same way. I've seen many swords dropped in performance. Luckily it was on stage....

I don't think its appropriate to be approaching tables with it balanced on your head.

I think if I had someone like the persistent women, or the man who took the sword, I would do as I saw a friend once do. She stopped dancing and politely yet firmly gestured, with an open and extended arm, for the audience member to leave the performance area and return to his seat. Eventually, though he was having hard time understanding this, his buddies got the picture and helped him back to his seat, and to stay there.

I like this. It reminds me that as a performer I have to own the performance space and have the right to ask anyone who's invading that space to leave.

I don't have anything to offer except empathy to the OP - what an annoying bunch of morons!

I've had people take my cane beofe but not a sword. Wow!

Perhaps next time someone asks if it's sharp you could take a swing at them. (Btw I have known several dancers whose swords are REAL and they are pretty damn sharp. Not perhaps sharp enough to decapitate any more, but still sharp. So I never assume I'm looking at a prop sword, unless it's a really obvious one.)

What concerns me here most is that the man was able to creep up behind you and get the sword - in other words, you had nobody keeping an eye on your safety. You can't look after yourself when you're doing a balance, and especially not if you're on the floor. Since presumably the restaurant staff are too busy with their own work to be able to do this, I think this is a prime example of why it's really good to have a "bodyguard" of some kind who can keep an eye out for this stuff.

I don't do sword, but if I did, and I was doing it in a restaurant situation, it would have to be on a stage-type arrangement or open space, not in among the diners, so that if anyone approached it would be really obvious.

WOW! he took it off your head??????? what a jerk....I don't think I would have kept my composure if someone grabbed my sword off my head in the middle of a performance. He would have got a swift kick to the junk.....As per the drunken woman bugging you....tell her no plain and simple. Does that establishment have no bouncers for unruly patrons???? It must have been the full moon for restaurant kooks this weekend. I encountered a couple of of undesireables as well. People don't know how to behave honestly. Would they go up and pull a guitar out of a band member's hands in the middle of a set? Oh well...it would be a dull world if we were all alike I guess.

I think you handled it like a pro, by cutting the number short.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

What concerns me here most is that the man was able to creep up behind you and get the sword - in other words, you had nobody keeping an eye on your safety. You can't look after yourself when you're doing a balance, and especially not if you're on the floor. Since presumably the restaurant staff are too busy with their own work to be able to do this, I think this is a prime example of why it's really good to have a "bodyguard" of some kind who can keep an eye out for this stuff.
.

Bodyguard is a good idea!

Originally Posted by susuabdo

WOW! he took it off your head??????? what a jerk....I don't think I would have kept my composure if someone grabbed my sword off my head in the middle of a performance. He would have got a swift kick to the junk.....As per the drunken woman bugging you....tell her no plain and simple. Does that establishment have no bouncers for unruly patrons???? It must have been the full moon for restaurant kooks this weekend. I encountered a couple of of undesireables as well. People don't know how to behave honestly. Would they go up and pull a guitar out of a band member's hands in the middle of a set? Oh well...it would be a dull world if we were all alike I guess.

Ditto!
That man should have been made to leave.
He ruined the show for everyone else!!!

Yikes! I get pissed when anyone touches my props period. I can't count the times I've had to take my veil, sword, zills, etc...out of the hands of ADULT patrons. Ridiculous. I have half a mind to go into their purses and just carry around their belongings. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, right.
I am truly baffled by patrons who think that it's perfect timing to let their kids run up under my feet for a photo, or to come up themselves to tip me, when I've got a big dang sword balanced on my head!!

Originally Posted by mahira-michelle

I've had people take my cane beofe but not a sword. Wow!

I read this WAY too quickly and thought people took your canoe...
..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by AngelaDiCaprio

I don't think its appropriate to be approaching tables with it balanced on your head.

I don't think I have ever seen a restaurant performance where the dancer does NOT walk to a table with the sword on her hip or on her head. The dancers always keep a safe distance away from the patrons. I guess it depends on comfort level.

I completely understand keeping the patrons safety first. That is the most important. But when you are in a restaurant - with a wall in the middle, and you have to appease both sides of the restaurant. A stand in one place sword routine does not work.

I guess it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with and what is safe. I disagree with the idea of no sword but that is me.

I totally respect a dancer who chooses to do something different.

In speaking of safety - i have seen a few veils get caught in someone's food because the dancer danced a little too close.

Flying hummus everywhere - LOL

Originally Posted by Taj

I suppose it would be undiplomatic to respond to the "Is it sharp?" question with "Take out your d*ck and let's find out"?

roflmao ..l;,

wow, thats a lot of nerve to take your sword off your head! i wonder if he grabs the chair from the lion tamer at the circus? cudos for maintaining your professional composure.

Originally Posted by anyadance

I'm not trying to threadjack but can I ask why sword is performed in restaurants? I can understand it it there was an open space or nice stage area but I think of the local restaurants that I dance in and there's no way that it would be a safe or good idea.

Sword dancing is required at at least one restaurant where I perform. It's a dramatic effect that the owner insists on - the audience is primiarily American and mostly families. The kids LOVE sword (or they are seriously afraid and cry their eyes out - that's when I tell them it's a toy, like a pirate sword...otherwise I treat it as extremely dangerous, for the effect).
I once tried to do a set without it and the owner made me go back and get it.
Mostly you just have to be very aware of the layout of the performance area, tables, server paths, etc...unfortunately since we were not born with eyes on the backs of our heads, once in a while a rogue customer will get in the way. You just have to be quick and ready to catch the sword if someone knocks it or tries to grab it.

A friend of mine who is an old school AmCab dancer from way back when, used to do a 1 am set at a ME club here in LA. She handled this very early in ever set by twirling the sword and brining it down - hard - on a table top. People generally got the idea.

Where is the icon for a beatific smile?

{{{HUGS}}}

What a twit...

I'm with the poster who suggested that anyone asking if the sword's sharp to be invited to "haul it out and let's see"...

I'm always so VERY paranoid about my canes, they're irreplaceable!