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Fortune teller in the office

mac

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Feb 2, 2005
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I have just been informed that we are having a fortune teller over at the office for a Halloween get together. We have to reserve a 10-15 minute slot and she’s here for half a day or so. I’ve already answered no, because she’ll be paid by the visit and I don’t care to add more money to her coffers. However, apart from letting her know of the JREF prize, how else can I muddle her cards? – and this of course without getting fired, please. It’s pointless bringing this to the attention of upper management as it’s seen as just a bit of fun.

I feel like a party pooper – but somehow, I’d like to get the point across. Any sane ideas, please? I’ve enquired as to the fees for magicians – but they’re way over what Madame Whatnot is charging. (I would have much preferred a magic séance – all in the keeping with the occasion.)
 
My quick response would be - even I couldn't do that... What exactly do you mean? It's not a big office - there's really no red tape to get things scrambled up.
 
Set up your own stall. Its all in fun after all.

Using generic horoscopes and stuff you can demonstrate that you are just as accurate as the one being paid.
 
StewartP said:
Set up your own stall. Its all in fun after all.

Using generic horoscopes and stuff you can demonstrate that you are just as accurate as the one being paid.
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I like this idea. Beat her at her own game.
 
Good idea - I can set that up quite easily. I'll have a look at any of the funny (borderline nasty) horrorscopes available on the net and set up a table. That's a start anyway.
 
StewartP beat me to the suggestion, but I recommend it. I also recommend getting a little bit of practice ahead of time.

You might also have a little bit of information on how fortune tellers work on a nicely printed sheet (1 page only or it will not get read), and hand them out after your readings.
 
Sad to say, but from a practical standpoint I think you should just let it go. I just think it is the wrong setting for a battle. It's a party and no one is going to thank you for spoiling the fun. Hopefully, most of the people will know the fortuneteller is a fake. There is little chance you will change any True Believer's minds and you may offend someone in a position to cause you trouble at work.

If you still want to do something to point out how silly it is - How about if after the forune teller is gone you ask for a show of hands on some common fortunes:

How many people will be taking a trip?, meeting a tall dark stranger, hearing from a family member/loved one, coming in to money, ...

If a large percentage of the people have similar answers they may get the idea. Handled properly it could be fun and good for some laughs as well.
 
I don't think that I would let it go, but I do agree you shouldn't do it in a "party-pooper" mode. Have fun with it, and let the others have fun.

Also bear in mind that even if things go perfectly, you won't get the same success as the fortune-teller. A large part of their success resides in the belief of the sitter. Since (I assume) your co-workers already know you don't purport to have such abilities, they will not believe you will be successful. If you say exactly what the fortune teller says, they will still give the fortune teller more credit than they give you.
 
Garrette said:
I don't think that I would let it go, but I do agree you shouldn't do it in a "party-pooper" mode. Have fun with it, and let the others have fun.

Also bear in mind that even if things go perfectly, you won't get the same success as the fortune-teller. A large part of their success resides in the belief of the sitter. Since (I assume) your co-workers already know you don't purport to have such abilities, they will not believe you will be successful. If you say exactly what the fortune teller says, they will still give the fortune teller more credit than they give you.
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I agree with this. Go into it with the intent of having fun and not proving anyone wrong, if you can. In theory, the fortune teller shouldn't be threatened if she really possesses the abilities that she claims.

I probably wouldn't set up shop right next to her, though.
 
Try doing cold readings ala John Edwards or Sylvia Browne. It is Halloween and speaking to the departed may be the beginning of a nice side income for you.

;)
 
Someone is going to get PO'd because there is likely to be someone in the office who is a woo and will take it seriously.

If you mock it, you have to be ready for someone getting offended and I don't mean Madame ScamArtist. Depending on who the woo is, it could make things a bit dicey at work.

I would just make sure that people know that you're not doing it because it is basically supporting a con artist.

Would they bring in a 3-card monte dealer and have the employees play with their own money? It really isn't much different. 3-card monte is entertaining, but it is just a con game as is fortune telling.
 
Garrette said:
StewartP beat me to the suggestion, but I recommend it. I also recommend getting a little bit of practice ahead of time.

You might also have a little bit of information on how fortune tellers work on a nicely printed sheet (1 page only or it will not get read), and hand them out after your readings.
Click to expand...

Any idea where there's one I could copy from?
 
Thanks for the input - it's an upper. It's not a huge office - we all know each other, so we know who the woos are and who are not. Also, my sense of humour is something they graciously tolerate... ;-) I was intending on making it fun - that's why the "horror"scopes and nothing serious - but I also like the recap on generalities. I did offer to make a seance for next year, instead of hiring a scammer. That will take planning, but should be fun - and it seems to have created interest.

If you have any other ideas on getting this crowd to have a scammer go hungry, let me know!
 
mac said:
Any idea where there's one I could copy from?
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I have lots of books, booklets, and long pamphlets, but they're not condensed enough. I haven't done a google search, but I expect something is out there. Otherwise, search this forum and see what's on it.

Several people could write a quick summary off the tops of their heads. If you can't come up with anything, ask again here or pm me and we'll get something together.
 
Have fun with the whole thing or be the person in the office that is thought of as anti-social. Who wants to be grouped in that catagory?
 
Forget the office - have fun with fortune teller. Make things up, speak with non-sequitors. Be jovial, goofy, have a good time, play her like perch.
 
Below are a few sites you might check out. They are all fairly brief and informative, but they also mainly (but not solely) focus on cold-reading, which is probably the most common method, but is certainly not the only method.

In fact, in your particular case of the office party, I think that some hot reading is likely. The likelihood goes up if you have a website and up even more if it lists staff members.

Consider that your boss arranged, well in advance, for this party, so the fortune teller has lots of time to research. You're a small company, so if she can get a staff list, she knows for whom she will read. Research from there is easy. I wouldn't be surprised if the boss already gave information about the staff, either knowingly or not.

But here are the sites:

http://www.prairieghosts.com/coldreads.html

http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/cold%20reading.html

http://www.tonyyouens.com/sophistry.htm

http://skepdic.com/psychic.html
 
Ask what her opinion is of how the "frauds" in her industry should be dealt with, what steps should be taken to weed them out. That should open up some good dialogue.
 
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