What's everyone's take on doing readings for half-drunk people?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mondk	23 Jun 2002
I was at a social gathering last night where most everyone had had a few drinks. There were some serious sober people that wanted readings, but then here came some quite tipsy/borderline drunkards that wanted readings and I didn't know how accurate the readings I did for them actually were. Any insight or advice for me? Any and all appreciated!! Blessings, Michelle

wavebreaker	23 Jun 2002
I haven't had any experience with this, but I just wonder how much of your reading actually stuck with the querents who were tipsy. By the time they're sober, they might not even remember you did a reading for them... ;) I don't think I would do a reading for someone's who's tipsy, feels too much like a waste of time to me. I guess I'd tell them I will do a reading for them when they're sober again.

Diana	23 Jun 2002
edited

Marion	23 Jun 2002
First of all, when people start to drink, their thoughts curl rather oddly and I would doubt the use of a reading for them, so you could be wasting your energy. And second, unlikely they would take it seriously and could start making fun of you after you did it. Unpleasant at a social gathering.

Maalin	23 Jun 2002
I don't think I would be comfortable reading at a party -drunks or no drunks- simply because it's such a personal thing. It might start off casually, but how would you handle it if you got a reading that speaks about private or even confidential things to the querent? Personally, I prefer to read one-to-one or with a group of people who are very close to each other.

Thirteen	23 Jun 2002
I'm going with everyone else on this. I've read at social gatherings--and if it works for you (as it does for me) it can be great. A lot of strong energy. But I'd try to avoid reading for anyone not sober (or nearly sober) as it really is a waste of time. Ditto for anyone who's high. A reading for someone is a connection between you, them and the cards. If they're not sober, they're not there with you.

Umbrae	23 Jun 2002
Drunks are easy to read for. Their mind/soul is an open book. Often a reading for a drunk is easier than a sober person. They are also easier to convey points to. Reading for drunks is a blast guys (if you charge it can also be very lucrative). It is my abilities that prevent the circus event from transpiring; yes their thoughts curl oddly, and I can use that to/for my benefit. Make the right impression, and they will not point fun at you. When reading in groups, you want to separate yourself by about 4-metres from others (if possible). This helps isolate you psychically and verbally (you can tell the sitter about their illicit affair without the husband hearing)? When they are obstinate, it is the worst time to say that you cannot read for them. It puts them off, can make them angry, and change the tone of an otherwise friendly gathering. And who are you to judge?

zorya	23 Jun 2002
}) i used to read for drunks all the time. i never had to pay for a drink. LOL. i also found that drunk people were like open books, and much more willing to believe, then when sober. they were less nervous and very respectful of me. the readings seemed to be very accurate. i would run into the same people elsewhere, while sober, and they always said that i had been correct. hmmm... maybe i do better with a couple drinks in me. hee hee ;)

mondk	23 Jun 2002
I was only uncomfortable with one of them, he had shuffled and asked a particular question (in his mind) and while I was reading for him I got a bad taste in my mouth and became immediately uneasy. His reading basically said that he has some health issues that are triggered by stress (he interrupted and told me he had high B/P) and that he needed to "chill out" essentially. When he told me that his question was would he be a wife beater someday I got chills and goosebumps and I decided and told everyone else I was tired and I would have to do more readings some other time. I think I got freaked because I have been in an abusive marriage a long time ago and the cards seemed to say this was a very potentially violent querent. So I think I will steer clear of gatherings involving alcohol or drugs from now on for readings. Thanks everyone for the feedback!!!! Blessings, Michelle

Umbrae	24 Jun 2002
Sounds to me like he would have been the same even if he were sober. Manipulative, and ready to nothing more than freak you out. Reading (or any other job where you deal with the public) will put you in touch with these folks from time to time. Even if you are out in Overland Park, Fort Scott, Kansas City, or Saint Louis. Anytime, anyplace. The world is full of them. It is never fun. (((Mondk)))

lunalafey	24 Jun 2002
Depending on the person who has been drinking, I may or may not read for them. Being a bartender I know all to well the way drinking effects people. Everything that everyone has said here is true. There are those that become more open, one that is staggering and slurring, that's a waste of time. And if you read for an intoxicant that seems normal, yet is aggressive and you uncover something, you could be in danger, I have had a beer thrown in my face because something just SNAPS with these people.

catlin	24 Jun 2002
I'd never do readings for folk who is either high or drunk or somehow mentally affected. The readings will be blurred, you might be aggressed and besides, I consider my readings as something serious not a party gag.

Kiama	24 Jun 2002
Only if I knew the drunkard! Otherwise, I wold not know whether or not the reading as just for a laugh to them, or they were serious... Kiama

MeeWah	24 Jun 2002
I prefer not to read for the inebriated as I do not like merging my energy with someone who may not be fully cognizant, but it depends upon the person &/or the gathering. Some people I would not touch with a ten-foot pole, sober or drunk. Those who are obnoxious when tipsy usually are so when sober, just able to hide it better. I agree that some "drunks" are very open & have had good results from those I have read for. A few even "sobered up" quickly when I commenced their reading. Based past experience, I will not conduct a reading within the hearing of others as information can result that is not appropriate for public consumption.

cricket	24 Jun 2002
It's a very rare occurrence for me to do a reading for anybody else (the exception being on here, of course ;) ), so it's probably safe to say I would not do a reading for anybody under the influence of anything. There might be an exception or two among close friends, but no more.

Geenius at Wrok	24 Jun 2002
It's not clear to me why there would be any problem with inaccuracy while doing a reading on behalf of a person who was drunk. I mean, I've done readings for people who weren't present and who for all I know might have been drunk, asleep, watching TV, stuck in traffic, falling down the stairs or any number of other things that might alter their mental states—but none of which would alter the courses of their lives, so why would the cards care? The only thing that would worry me about giving a reading to an intoxicated person would be his reaction to its content. The drunk are not known for their poise. Now, what'd really be funny is if you gave a drunk person a reading and all the cards came up cups . . .

zorya	24 Jun 2002
roflmao! thanks once again geenius!

isthmus nekoi	24 Jun 2002
I think it depends on the person. Drunks can be really open and receptive or confused and muddled depending on the individual's tempermant. I've done some pretty good readings for drunks - there was one guy I read for who said he was skeptical (sp?), but then after watching some other readings and having a few, he really got into it, blowing into the deck while shuffling and everything. The only thing I don't like is you have to be careful sometimes b/c the cards can go flying w/drunks shuffling the deck! But I suppose it's amusing. I always use my Rider-Waite b/c I know it wouldn't be offended by this :P!!

AutumnMoonfire	25 Jun 2002
Well, I wouldn't read for someone who was drunk or high unless I had known them long enough to have seen them in that shape before and could predict how they were going to react to information. It would also depend on how much they have had. I would never read for someone I just met if they were not sober. You wouldn't know what to expect....

Starfish	25 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by AutumnMoonfire I would never read for someone I just met if they were not sober. You wouldn't know what to expect.... I'm with you there. Of course, being a newbie, I'm not comfortable enough to do readings face to face for others just yet. :TSUN Starfish

napaea	27 Jun 2002
is it just me or are the people who feel comfortable reading for drunks mostly male? being male in society gives you a certain amount of stability and authority. now, you may be just as likely to be harassed as a female, but maybe you are more comfortable with the possibility than us chicks. i don't know. me personally, i have given a reading when i was tipsy, and the querent was still happy with the reading, but I Wasn't. I knew i felt not-so-there. won't do that again. on the whole, i wouldn't read for a stranger who was drunk, but i may make exceptions to that, if i feel led to. i guess it's good to decide what your standard is, but you never know when you may need to bend a little. (genius; are you sure you're not a scorpio?)

Geenius at Wrok	28 Jun 2002
Positive. :)

napaea	28 Jun 2002
Hey Umbrae and Genius!! I think you guys should design a "drunk-guy's tarot"! You know, all the pictures could be sorta hazy and not quite straight, and you could sell the decks at bars and give readings! Waddya think?

The What's everyone's take on doing readings for half-drunk people? thread was originally posted on 23 Jun 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.