I have several tricks but when I perform them I always hear the same thing, "how did you do that?". what do I say to these curious people??

When your spectators say that, it means that the trick was interesting and appeals to them. I take that as a compliment.

I would just say it's magic. Or say " thanks for you time " and just walk off, all tho it might seem rude your leaving them in complete AW.

dont tell anyone

Oh my freakin god, how the heck did you do that amazing stuff:

Respons: If you never had a girl friend in college you could also do this.

Or: 10 years of self denial.

My faves in one short list:

- 'can you keep a secret?' 'yes' 'so can I'

- 'If i told you i'd have to kill you'

- 'practise'

- 'brilliantly'

- 'Do what? can you show me I missed it'

- 'Sorry i can't tell you, that move is illegal in 5 different states'

- 'I'm not telling'

"Magic"

"Yeah, I usually tell everyone how I do all my tricks at the very end of the show. Keep your pants on."

"How'd I do what?"

"I don't know"

"What? I can't hear you, you're breaking up."

Just say something that gets their mind off of that trick. Say something funny, or do another trick...

That is an easy reply. I will tell you what I say whenever that question is asked...

"Magic"

My favourite's, "Very well, I think..."

But in reality I am always thinking in response to that question:
'For Gods sake, do you really think I will tell you THAT! after all the blood and sweat and hard WORK I've been through to nail that bloody effect do you REALLY think i will tell you???? That was really a STUPID question! Dumb in fact, really dumb. Now if you would just keep your mouth shut I could get on with the next one but, noooooo, you have to stick your face in as you are KING of the world!!!!!'
But I end up saying 'magic'

Why all the anger about a spec asking how you did something? He's bewildered, probably semi-entertained, and wants to know how you amazed them. Like somebody said above, be flattered. It's a compliment. Though the best compliment is when they are so amazed that they don't ask.

Anyway, it's your fault that they asked: you amazed them with the inexplicable. That's gonna be the first Q on their minds. "How'd he do that?" For some people, it's a knee-jerk reaction to just ask. They know you aren't going to tell. It's just a response. There are a million ways to just move on to the next trick or to smoothly leave those specs. "I'll tell you tomorrow. Now do you want to see something with a quarter?"

Be a magician: be amazing, confident and charming; not tricky, tense and defensive.

Youn are right, it's my fault for using killer effects that work. From now on its only crap old self working tricks that take a half-hour to perform and require a large table involving the cards going everywhere with cuts spreads, counts and such until you reveal their card which isn't at all impressive in such a manner. Right on!
I do like people asking that Q 'how'd you do that?' but I hate it when they keep on about it. They never ever drop it with 'oh tell me' 'Come on' 'Pretty please' 'After all I've done for you' 'Now I won't go out with you' 'You can forget about our date tonight' 'You suck' and so on...

At some point you need to treat the person like you would any rude person (I mean how a polite person treats a rude person--not how some here treat rude people. )

Just smile and say, "I take that as a compliment (Greg Wilson)" or just say nothing. Go on with another trick or just leave and say thanks.

thank you so much! but what if I said this person would wrestle you to the ground trying to figure out the trick?