Ok Adam,

So someone wants to examine the cards, and you let them. Then, while they are holding the cards, they decide to show you a trick without asking. Are you going to snatch the cards away and refuse them the opportunity? I'm sure we'll all have different views on this. I'm old enough to have the experience of both sides. By both sides I mean, telling them "no", they can't show me a trick, and saying "sure! I'll watch your trick". Like I said before, the situation is vary rare. So, in my opinion, I don't see anything wrong with it. If it is happening often for someone, then I'd have to say that person isn't respected as a magician.

Peter,
There are some people who just can't be entertained. You know that, I'm sure. If a spectator is embarrassed about something, it would be nothing that I have done. If they embarrass themselves, then they are likely to do it one way or another. Allowing them to do a card trick is not going to hurt anything. In fact, the other spectators around them may be entertained and have been entertained more just by allowing this. Once again, the situation is rare (at least for me it is). I can't remember the last time this has happened. But the next time it does, I will probably allow it again. One exception of this is kids. I would not let a kid handle my cards. Too many other things to worry about then such as bending cards, dropping cards, etc.

Oh yeah...I forgot to mention. When I do let someone show me a trick, I always turn it into MY trick by following it up with something that fits whatever it was they were doing. For example, if they did some kind of pick a card routine, I would follow it up with an ACR using what ever card was chosen.

Yes, you are suppose to entertain them, but with magic. Sure them showing you a trick might be entertaining to them, but that is not what you are suppose to do. Someone else in the restaurant might think that stripping is entertaining. You are probubaly not going to strip for them just to entertain them because you are not a stripper, you are a magician.

The stripper is just the first exaple I could think of. No offence to anyone.

-Adam Michael

That's another kind of magic all together.

NO isnt it your job to do the tricks and they are their to eat their meal. You dont wanna play smoke and fire with them.

If you are hired by a restaurant to do magic then it is your job to do "the tricks". And yes they are there to eat there meal. That is why you ask them if they would like to see some magic. You do not force feed people magic. If they just want to eat there food then let them.

-Adam Michael

There is a lot to be learned here. First, you certainly don't want to perform while they are eating. I'm sure you know that. Second, if you haven't already, you will find that asking someone if they want to see some magic will get you various responses, many of which are not the most desired.