When you meet new people it’s always good to get off on the right foot. (Especially if you’re meeting Quentin Tarantino.) First impressions form quickly and are hard to break. In as little as 100 milliseconds someone can lock in an opinion of you forever. I’ve started a new job recently, and already I think I’ve fluffed it.
Meeting new people tickles my anxiety. As the moment unfolds, without fail I will become hyper aware of my hands. And then I can’t not think of what I should be doing with them. So I do everything with them, and lose focus on what my mouth is doing. Oh boy…
When I first meet people I don’t tell them I’m a comedian. First impressions matter and I don’t want them to think less of me or expect jokes. It’s something that should come up naturally in conversation, after money, religion, politics, and the Holy Roman Empire. Doubly so if I’m on stage. If a comedian is on stage and they have to say “I’m a comedian, these are jokes”, then they’re not doing jokes. They’re doing sentences.
A symptom of the modern workplace is that I meet a lot of people on Teams. Teams is the easiest way to make a good first impressions, it’s like introducing yourself with your LinkedIn page. The experience is sanitised and not being in the same room means not being self conscience about your hands. If you can’t look professional on Teams, you have to bank on being invaluable to your company. And that sounds like too much work.
Like hiding vegetables in children’s food, nobody notices the first impression unless it’s done badly. Staying in the moment is key, and doing everything you can to stay focused is important. Listen to their name and what they say about the place, don’t concentrate on your hands. Otherwise, when you walk away they think,
“That Russell was nice, but what the hell was he doing with his hands?”
Gig Reports
Fringe has been great! There have been minimal gigs dude to aforementioned new job, but the gigs have been great and the audiences have been fun. Two notable guest spot mentions: Chaos Theory – The Comedy Experience, and Uncensored Comedy Club. I haven’t even got to see some of my favourite acts and friends, let me know what you’ve loved so far.
Up Coming Gigs
FRINGE BABY! If you are up for some Russell branded giggles (please note only the one proper noun there), then buy tickets to our show below:
Thursday night has SOLD OUT, Friday has only FIVE tickets remaining. Time and location is ideal for people starting a night at the fringe.
(Also perfect for those who want to come out to see us and then ghost back home away from people)
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