Menu or Not??

Started by Master Duffy, June 26, 2009, 04:35:44 PM

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Master Duffy

Hello all you Twisters! On Sunday at my restaurant I noticed that when I didn't make something from my Balloon Menu I would get more of a tip. I will have to try it again next Sunday with out a menu the whole time. Is it better to use a Menu or just shot from the hip.

nancyfangles

#1
I find a menu is a good starting point, but I tend to get bored making the same thing many times. If you are up for a challenge, people tend to tip better for requests.

Ida Twister

#2
I like to ask the person & if they are just totally undecided then I show them a list to give them ideas & go from there.

Bonnie

#3
When I first started I couldn't work without my balloon menu.  Now I don't use one but I do use "my hat game".  

Basically the hat game a list of the 110 hats I'm willing to make at a Bparty or the restaurants.  I have 10 cards with 11 hats each .  Each hat is given a number (and listed so that no two guy hats are next to each other).  The cards are splayed out like a fan, face down.  The person then picks a card.  Once the card is chosen, then they pick "their favorite number today from 1 - 11".  The person doing the picking never gets to see the what they pick but I do show at least one of the tablemates "to keep me honest"  ;) if the tablemate promises not to tell.  

If I like what they have chosen and think they will also like it, then that's the hat I make for them.  If they chose a hat I know they are not going to like, then I look over the 10 remaining choices to see if one of them would work better, or grab the next card and use the same number.  

In reality, I'm using these cards as a menu to jog my memory without handing over a menu.  The game pretty much eliminates the chance of making the same hat again and again and also makes for some really fun exchanges.  

Happy twisting,
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady

P.S.  I'm going to make a similar game based on colors (idea from Jeanine).  "...pick your favorite color today... then pick a number from that color card".

Smiggle

#4
what a great idea - I'll have to learn a 110 hats now though  :D
C\'mon Let\'s twist again...

YvonneH

#5
110 hats  :shock:   Blimey I'm lucky if I can remember 2 hats at a time!!  I really need to start working on prompt cards for me and practicing more at home then I may be able to achieve the standards on here.

Back to the original question - Master Duffy you probably need to ignore us Brits on this one as we do not have a tipping culture so it would make no difference if we used menu's or not I suspect with regard to tipping.  

I am tempted to make a menu of about 20 balloons for my next job though to see how it goes as I am at the stage where I still needed to practice and introduce new models to be able to remember them and I find sometimes no matter how hard you try to convince the kids to have the models you want to make (so they stick in my head) that want swords or flowers  :evil:   I suppose these are the equivalent to the face painters pink butterfly and spiderman  ;)
Yx
<a href=\"mailto:yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk\">yvonne@loonyballoony.co.uk</a>
http://www.loonyballoony.co.uk

Thelma Levett

#6
Bonnie, love the idea.  Like you I hate being asked for the same model over and over and tell people my rule is that I won't do the same thing two times running so they have to think of something to challenge me.  That brings up some interesting new models but also is a little risky.   IF the venue is busy it isn't a good idea to be doing on the spot designing.  So your idea is great for busier venues.  Thanks for the tip

Professor T Wist

#7
I have just done a couple of fairs and atthose I have a white board with some ideas written on it, it varies  but usually about 20 diferent models, with a note at the bottom saying
If you can't see something you would like ask, see if the Professor can do it !!!!

It seems to work and I don't often get asked for bizarre stuff.

Saturday I was working with Bickers and we were asked for a monkey in a basball hat. They were very imressed that it was done  :D

In a fair/fete type situation a list helps, my humble opinion.

bickers

#8
I should add - that the monkey in a baseball hat was all Professors work - I passed the buck on that one, but prof rose to the challenge admirably!!!

We had a great day twisting in the sun, however I had £20 stolen which left a bitter taste! I should thank Thelma for her "doll" on 2 and a bit - it was the hit of the day and we made loads of them! I only showed prof how to make it that morning but he was rattling them out brilliantly in no time!!!!

Anyway - i've veered off topic - for me I think having a menu is perfect as i'm only just starting out, it makes me feel safe and comfortable that I can offer people something they would like - it was good having the option to make other stuff on the board but for me having a menu was a big help!!!

Professor T Wist

#9
Quote from: "bickers"I should thank Thelma for her "doll" on 2 and a bit - it was the hit of the day and we made loads of them! I only showed prof how to make it that morning but he was rattling them out brilliantly in no time!!!!

!!!

Just to be above board and fair, I actually have Thelma's 2 and a bit but struggled with the doll from it and had put it on the shelf to try again later and bickers showed me how he did it. Top marks as ever to Thelma for her inventiveness and full marks to Bickers for his teaching abilities  :D

Tonya

#10
I also have an "idea list" that they can look at when they can't think of anything, but I love your idea Bonnie!  I will definately have to do that for birthday parties for sure.  Thanks for the tip!
Have a happy day <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=\":-)\" title=\"Smile\" />

Tonya