Who said this?

[Pete McCabe]

I'm working on Scripting Magic 2 and I'm looking for a reference. A long time ago I read a magician who said something to the effect of "if you want to learn coin magic, watch a cashier." The idea being that you should study the way ordinary people handle coins so your sleights will look more natural.

If anybody can point me to the original source of this quote I'll appreciate it.

[Joe Mckay]

I remember Michael Close writing about how unnatural most coin magic is.

In real life - we rarely place one coin into the other hand. Except maybe if you are fishing around a pile of change in search of a particular coin.

I cannot recall in which volume of the Workers these remarks appear. But it is possible that his remarks also include the quote above?

Just a thought.

[Curtis Kam]

I don't recall who said--or more likely wrote that. I know I thought and said it at one point, but rarely in public. I'm over it now. The observation ignores the fact that cashiers don't know they're being watched. And, these days especially, cashiers do not seem to feel any obligation to even show the customer what they're doing. There was a time when cashiers were expected to count your change back to you, starting from the amount you paid. That's almost unheard of now, where the norm is for the cashier to count the money so that only he can see, like most magicians doing the Elmsley Count.

But before I digress--the point is that you are presenting small objects to an audience. You know it, and (usually) they know it. If you are any good at all at this, you are expected to handle those small objects in a way that is natural in that context. Rather than spying on cashiers, I suggest watching people selling jewelry, and other small but valuable objects, either live, or on home shopping networks.

Besides, people handle large, valuable coins differently from common pocket change. If you're using Morgan Silver dollars in your performance, the check-out clerk at your local Wal-Mart is a poor model.

If, during your performance, you were to handle your coins the way people normally do, it would be a poor show.

Sorry for the rant, it's a long way to go to say that I can't help you--except maybe to avoid the questions?

[Richard Kaufman]

Amen, brother Curtis.

I would suggest watching cashiers in Tokyo as they count the coins you've given them and then present you with your change as a way of looking at the kind of coin handling in the real world that no longer exists in the West.

[Paul Richards]

Wow! While it may not be the answer Pete was looking for, that is an excellent response from Curtis. I think in magic (heck, in life) we love to hold tight to simple axioms - when the truth is generally more layered. Great stuff Curtis!

[Jonathan Townsend]

How do the folks who move chips around at casinos handle chips?

[Q. Kumber]

I don't recall who said--or more likely wrote that. I know I thought and said it at one point, but rarely in public. I'm over it now. The observation ignores the fact that cashiers don't know they're being watched. And, these days especially, cashiers do not seem to feel any obligation to even show the customer what they're doing. There was a time when cashiers were expected to count your change back to you, starting from the amount you paid. That's almost unheard of now, where the norm is for the cashier to count the money so that only he can see, like most magicians doing the Elmsley Count.

But before I digress--the point is that you are presenting small objects to an audience. You know it, and (usually) they know it. If you are any good at all at this, you are expected to handle those small objects in a way that is natural in that context. Rather than spying on cashiers, I suggest watching people selling jewelry, and other small but valuable objects, either live, or on home shopping networks.

Besides, people handle large, valuable coins differently from common pocket change. If you're using Morgan Silver dollars in your performance, the check-out clerk at your local Wal-Mart is a poor model.

If, during your performance, you were to handle your coins the way people normally do, it would be a poor show.

Sorry for the rant, it's a long way to go to say that I can't help you--except maybe to avoid the questions?

Thank you for this intelligent contribution.

In addition, I would add that years ago, cashiers could do the math in their head. Modern day cashiers cannot be compared with the old timers.

[Jonathan Townsend]

...that cashiers don't know they're being watched. ...

Not sure about that one. Though the folks who are watching are usually looking to see if they get the correct larger bills. As you pointed out - they are not counting the change in dollar coins for the approval of the folks at the back of the line.

Twenty dollar and Silver dollar coins used to represent significant funds. Today ... nothing comes to mind beyond the folks who stack and spread chips at casinos. That seems about right for across the table handling. Not likely well suited to platform or close up informal work but it's something where those watching are supposed to be sure of what they are seeing.

[Pete McCabe]

Thanks for all the help. Especially Curtis, who instead of answering my question, proved it to be the wrong question.

Still would love to know who said this if anyone comes across it.