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FWIW, I’d say yes out of politeness (“not really” would make the both of us pretty awkward) but I’d be embarrassed the whole time, while at the same time not giving a damn about whatever the trick is. And having had conversations about magic tricks before, I know that I’m far from the only one.

That being said, if it works for you that’s great! Just pointing out that a yes doesn’t mean success in these situations

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Part of what makes starting out in social situations difficult is that any strategy which is usually successful with some people will make others uncomfortable. I'd suggest it is almost an iron rule, since any especially successful strategy will probably be seen as manipulation by the minority of people who just loathe being influenced by others. Disagreeable people are out there (although they'd probably like to argue about that). So you being polite but embarrassed doesn't imply much.

I think the better criticism, if we want to look for them, is that doing a magic trick only works because it is a novelty. If every interaction with someone new started with a magic trick it'd be even more bizarre than the social rituals we already have.

Perhaps, but this is where the body language part comes in. Don't walk up to those evenly distributed circle around a circle.

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