Playing in public

G'day,
I had my first taste of playing to a crowd last week. The "asylum"
where we live had a Christmas Dinner and I offered to play some suitable sounds for the occasion.
WELL!!First problem was inmates wanting to have a conversation with me when they were halfway up the stairs. Next! A neighbour thought she would help me by putting her hands over my music.Then others thought I might enjoy their company standing directly in front and conversing with me.
I thought I fended them all with skill, but the final straw was three guests approached at different times and offered me a plate of chips mid-song.
Quite a debut performance but I now consider myself fully experienced. Oh! and the KN7 knocked their socks off.
Anyone had similar events that I may need to counter next time?
Ray

We behave a little better here in the UK...Ray...chuckle...

I am always amazed at how many people will try to talk with you while you are playing... and then there are the ones who ask if you have such and such a song in there pointing to the keyboard... I always say "no I have to have it here and here" pointing to my head and my hands

Doesn't that irk you? Musicians just can't no respect.

Playing yesterday for a bunch of oldies, an old guy came up while I was playing and said "Can you play while I am talking to you?" I said "NO". He replied "Oh, my brother can" and went on telling me how clever his brother was etc etc etc until I told him to sod off. Cheers Jean.

Go Jean What a jerk.