I'm a freshman at my high school and I have this one friend who is obsessed with Criss Angel and doesn't mind David Blaine. He has seen a few of my card effects and he says a few days ago, "Can I borrow one of your dvds so I can learn some stuff?" I'm thinking to myself, "Definately not!" I know that all he wants to do is get one of my dvds that tells him all about my sleights and tricks so he can satisfy his curiosity and so he can know all my stuff. But all I say is probably not. I tell him since he doesn't want to get online and look, just go to a bookstore and get MW Complete Course which will teach him loads of stuff, not just cards. I also tell him about Royal Road. He says he'll "think about it" which basically means since I won't give him a free bee, he wont spend 10 bucks on a good book. I said once he shows me he has one of these or something else, I will take him under my wing, but until then, I don't think so. Has anyone ever had this kinda thing before, what did you do in a similar situation? Sorry if this was too long.

yeah ive had some situations like this...my cousin "likes" magic and he leaves svengali deck layin around so everyone sees them so i took them and sold them...but i also had a friend that said he wants to learn magic and asked if he can borrow a dvd or book....just keep on saying no, because whats the point of givin away secrets to someone who wants to learn 5 tricks but doesnt want to follow up bein a magician JUST someone who nos how to do couple card tricks

Good Luck

-§noopy-

Do not lend your books, dvds, etc. to friends. If they are interested in leaning, then they will make the effort (on their own) to learn. I think what you told him, to go to the bookstore and get a book, was the best advice you could have given. If he's not willing to do something as simple as that, then he is not worthy of learning magic. Keep your magic stuff stored out of sight. That way when you have friends over, there is no temptation. If you have non-instructional videos (meaning just recorded magic shows from TV or something), then that's ok for your friends. But keep your instructional stuff out of sight and out of mind. Treat it like your toothbrush. Would you lend that to your friend?

If I think someone is serious, I recommend them Secrets of Alkazar

In a nutshell, if they're really interested in magic, they'll give it a shot on their own.

Just give them some time