FACE PAINTING CHAT UK

[Allwright]

I was working over the jubilee weekend at a village community fete, and was quite happy painting the children until it got to the end of the day, I then had a group of older ladies all with glasses of wine in their hands one of them plonked her wine glass on my table through herself into the chair and shouted 'PAINT ME !' I was polite and smiled and did a small design on her face. It was just really uncomfortable as she then got her friends over and wanted me to paint '.....woz here' on a mans stomach I nearly gagged when he lifted up his shirt and I had to paint over his hairy stomach urrrghhh. Am seriously thinking of putting a sign on my board to say 'this is a childrens activity only - no adults'
This particular women was also smoking in my gazebo, which is my working environment with children present.
WAS VERY CROSS INDEED.

[geewizzfaces]

I Have a sign up saying 'the painter reserves the right to refuse to paint subjects or body parts he/she deems inapropriate or distastefull'. I would have also asked them to move away while they finish their cigarette. Harmful to myself and to the children being painted. If there was any hassle i would have just downed my brushes and got the attention of the event organiser to sort it out.

[the model]

hairy bums are worse to paint (rugby club charity calender!)

smoking is easy to deal with, I dont have it in my workplace, it doesnt bother me (I am a smoker) BUT its the law!

one roof and 2 sides means you risk being fined for allowing it to happen, and no I dont care how many/big or drunk they are, they are told to stand outside till they have smoked it. No exceptions.

[Allwright]

Thanks for the advice I will definately have to toughen up !!

[maz]

I have it in my contract that I will not be expected to work in the 'smoking area' and that people are not to smoke anywhere near my painting area.

I have kindly asked smokers to move away from me and have never had any hassle.(so far)
It makes my eyes water and sting so I cant see properly to paint.

As for beer bellies.....yuk! Haven't come across that request yet.....don't think I would oblige to be honest as I do have the right to refuse. Strange one ?

X

[urwinpace]

I'm sure The Model is right and it is illegal to smoke anywhere that has a canopy and sides (even bus stops)

I do sympathize... unfortunately drunk adults are the worst customers. Wish I'd have been there!!!

[ChrisBailey]

After being a pub manager and working for the police in my pre paint lifetime I don't mind drunk customers... to be honest some of the sober ones are more rude and gobby at times

Mostly I find they have a sense of humour and tip ever so well .. I recall one paying me a fiver to do a half face moko ( rather than the £3 asked for) and then came back, bless him and insisted on paying again for me to match the other side...

I always politely ask those smoking to move away with their cigarettes and in six years, the only one who had an issue was stone cold sober...

If things are getting a little lairy( as Vince says Rugby clubs come to mind ! ) and children are about, I do insist that things are toned down and again have never had a problem... Requests for genitalia to be painted on foreheads are met with a knowing smile and a " Its alright mate ya don't need a label " painting the genitalia requests gets a giggle and a "well I would but I need a canvas bigger than an inch " This weekend I painted an adult party and one face resulted in a huge kiss and a " I LUV you I do !!!" .... I'll take that as a compliment ..

Mostly I find them a giggle and the couple of drunks that have been a problem would have been total planks when sober I suspect

Each to their own I guess

[seraphim149]

i dont mind drunks, as long as they are happy drunks, violent or so drunk they cant stand then no. i paint virtually every weekend during summer at music festivals so cant avoid them. dont paint bums or bits. its usually family orientated.

smoking is not tolerated within my gazebo and if the smoke is blowing in from someone just outside I will ask them to move.

Saying that I am painting outside at a market/theme park type place and totally in the open and there are so many smokers, I have inhaled more passive smoke today then I have in a long long time. and i cant say a thing

[littleprecious]

I don't mind happy polite drunk but please don't vomit while i paint you!
x

[Denise]

I have glitter tattooed at many corporate events where the wine/beer is flowing and they are all very "happy". There are the below the belt requests but with years of experience and quick repartee we usually guide them to something that is inoffensive without any bother!

The undying love you receive at these events should never be taken seriously!!! The naughtiest request I ever had was "I suppose a sh** is out of the question?"
I am afraid my "K.T." days are well behind me, (or were they ever in front)????!!!! Carry on regardless! (originally thought to say stiff upper lip but thought.... nah, not with this lot!)

[littleprecious]

heeehee Denise! :)

[shirleywheeler]

I don't mind happy drunks. The ones at Wembley who ask me to paint the St George cross on their genitalia (men) are always met with the comment "But Sir, I don't have NEARLY enough paint for something that big!", which usually makes them chuckle. I've never had to deal with a violent or nasty drunk yet, thank goodness.