What do you do with noisy adults at a birthday party?

Darrell · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 12:14 PM

At my last two birthday parties, there were adults who were bored, hungry, or both. Most of the kids and a few of the adults enjoyed the shows but there were enough adults talking that were a major distraction. What do you guys do when there are adults who aren't "hecklers" but are being a distraction? Keep in mind, the house was crammed with people and it was too chilly for them to go outside. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! 8)

Hayseed

SME · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:05 PM

I haven't personally had the opportunity to run across this situation, but I would treat them just like the children - in a jovial sort of way. With a patronizing, yet stern, yet playful voice, I would exclaim loud enough to get their attention "Now parents, Pay attention or you will have to sit in the corner" or something childish like that. A couple of times of you stopping the show just to get their attention may do the trick. And it serves as an opportunity for the kids to laugh at the adults.

Just my 2¢

Keep smiling!
8)

saphireSue · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 11:03 PM

Next time try getting the "noisey" to be your assistant, even if they decline this will help quite them. I usaully have the adults help just like the kids in a show. I've started having the adults put on animal noses to help the kids sing Old MacDonald and the kids love it and the adults get into to.

tim · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 05:23 PM

Slap them. Back and forth across the face. Just slap them silly. Then put your finger in front of your mouth and have the kids do the same, helping you to say, "SHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Hopper · #5 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 07:34 PM

Or...you could try being entertaining to them too.

Do you wear a sign around your neck saying "you need to be under 8 to find me entertaining"? If so, take it off and rip it up. Way too many of us wear that sign.

If you are funny, they'll pay attention.

Darrell · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 09:06 AM

The funniest thing happened at a birthday party a few weeks ago. There was this guy who had a beard and long gray hair, the guy looked really tough. Throughout the entire clown show I did, I tried to make everyone laugh, as usual. This guy never laughed or smiled, but frowned. He was holding a little boy the entire time as though he was protecting him from me. It made me a little nervous but as you know, the show must go on.

At the end when I was handing out stickers to the children, I heard an adult's voice saying "over here." I turned around and it was the guy who was frowning the whole time. I figured he wanted a sticker for the boy he was holding. So after I gave the boy a sticker, the man wanted a sticker for himself. After I gave him a sticker, he grinned ear to ear!

The lesson I learned from this experience: never give up on trying to make someone smile. Making that rough dude smile was the highlight of that party and gave me a memory that will last for years.

Darrell 8)

SME · #7 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 04:46 PM

You know, my dad is one of those. He's really a humorous guy, but ya just don't see him laugh that often - it doesn't mean he isn't enjoying the show, his threashold his just different than most.

You're right, though - never give up! Although you have to learn to pick your battles. Case in point: last weekend at spook train, Wolfman (yours truly) saw someone on a phone so I proceded to mock her by holding my fingers to my head faking like i'm talking on a phone. It went over big, the crowd around and the cell phone user were laughing hard - the cell phone user even held the phone out for me to talk - to which Wolfman gave a good howl. So, later on in the night I spot another cell phone user and try the same thing - she doesn't seem to be as responsive, but the crowd around is enjoying as before. Then the lady with a gruff gritty voice started to cuss at me and told me to leave her alone. WOW. If you're going to be in a bad mood, stay home from the haunted train ride. Wolfman, in classic entertainer style, cocked his head at her with an inquisitive look and moved along. No sense wasting good entertainment on someone who is in a foul mood!

Cracker · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-2006, 10:12 PM

I learned this from MammaClown- She always keeps a whistle with her to get the kids and adults attention and if the parents are out of control and noisy she treats them like "big kids". Never be afraid to tell adults to be good so the little kids can hear everything.

Joko the Clown · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2007, 01:52 AM

I've had adults that were acting just like that on many occasions. For me it always depended on who they were and how much of a distraction they actually were, and in what way are they being distracting. If it's the party host I might react differently than if it's a teenager or a drunk neighbor.

First, though, you should have your material down so cold that if a swarm of bees flies in the room, you just duck and keep on doing whatever you are doing.

If the person being loud appears to be enjoying themselves, and they aren't really hurting your performance, I say live and let live. It's not your job to force your entertainment down anybody's throat. On the other hand, I was hired by a school and one teacher in particular was yacking on a cell phone during my show. Somehow I was able to shame her into being quiet.

clownbuttons · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 09:57 PM

One time I was doing a party with about 20+ kids. The adults were socializing in the same room. I quietly told the kids I couldn't hear them very well because the grownups were talking too much. On the count of 3, all the children said, "shhhhhhh," as loudly as they could. When the adults stopped and turned around, I then nicely told them the children and I couldn't hear each other. It helped some.
Clownbuttons