Why You Should Talk to Strangers (at Magic Conventions)

Why you should talk to strangers (at magic conventions)

Whenever someone asks me for tips for a magic convention, I always tell them the same thing: Talk to strangers.

When I went to my first Magifest, I was 16. I took a bus from Pittsburgh to Columbus, then took a taxi to a hotel where I knew no one. But I wasn’t worried.

I had a hotel full of new strangers to talk to. I realize that makes me sound like a strange kid, but in my mind, I’d become friends with every other magician I had met, so why would the magicians at Magifest be any different? Years later, I’m proud to say that some of my best friends are strangers that I met at magic conventions. Let me tell you how I did it.

In my opinion, there are three great places to make friends at magic conventions.

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The tables:
Anywhere people are jamming is usually a great place to talk to some strangers. It sounds simple, but just sit down next to someone you don’t know and start chatting with them. You never know who you’ll sit down with. At one of my first conventions, I ended up sitting at a table with Howard Hamburg, who completely destroyed me with his estimation work. I had no idea who he was, but over the course of a few minutes, he showed me things I had never thought possible. I can’t guarantee that you’ll sit down with someone like Howard, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. What’s the worst that can happen?

Meals:
Everyone has to eat sometime. If you’re worried about having to make small talk, try sitting down with strangers at meal times. If the conversation lulls, eating makes it less awkward. Personally, I do this a lot at breakfast. Some mornings, there might be a line for single tables, but for a four-top, the line is usually significantly shorter. Find three strangers and ask if they want to share a table. You all get food sooner, plus you might make a new friend.

Before the convention starts:
The opportunity to meet people starts well before the convention does. If you’re flying or connecting through a major airport on your way to Columbus, there is a decent chance you’re not the only magician on your flight. Finding them is easier than you’d think, too. Just keep an eye out for someone shuffling a deck of cards, reading a magic book, or playing with a bunch of half dollars. Not sure how to break the ice? Ask if they’re headed to Magifest, and if they want to split a ride to the hotel. Worst case, you pay less for an Uber. The best case is you have a friend for life.

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At the end of the day, magic conventions are about much more than learning a new sleight or buying the latest gimmick; they are about finding your tribe. It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone, but the most impactful "magic" usually happens in the hallways as unplanned and unscripted moments between the scheduled events. Whether you’re being fooled by a legend at a jam or splitting a cab with a future lifelong friend, these connections are what you’ll actually remember years down the road.

So, whether you're about to head to London for the Session, Columbus for Magifest, or are just starting to plan your next pilgrimage to a convention, remember when you get there to take a deep breath and introduce yourself to someone new. Talk to strangers, and take a moment to connect with the community that makes what we do so special.