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Tipping?
https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14820		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  KJBigMike [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Tipping?
I just came from a Karaoke place and even though the KJ was lazy, <Sat behind his station from the first song on> was a bad mixer, <Loud singers blew my ear drums out and there was way too much highs> and had no stage presence, I tried to tip him. I had arrived very early and was there when he was setting up. I turned in a slip to sing and even though he seemed to have a large crowd of "friends" I still got to sing first. After my second song we decided to leave. <The highs were really getting to us.> as I left ,I took the book back and placed a $2.00 tip on the book. He called me out on the Mic and said he gets paid and handed me the money. I stated "No, I'm a KJ, take it!" He handed it back to me.

I don't plan to go back and he "really" didn't deserve it but I was embarrassed. Did I cross some line traveling from the west coast to the east where gratuity to the KJ is just not done or did this guy know he didn't really deserve it?
Author:  lordairgtar [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
Some just don't accept tips. Simple as that. Has nothing to do with East or West or whether he felt he deserved it, sucky system not withstanding.
Author:  metalgod [ Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
Dont accept tips??? Why the F not??
Author:  Cueball [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
Well, I'm on the East Coast, and I don't accept tips (at my regular shows) either. I usually thank the people for the offer, and I politely tell them that I'm getting paid enough and hand it back to them. There have been 1 or 2 that have insisted, so I have accepted it.

I have NEVER called someone out on the mic for something like that... that was just plain rude on the KJ's part.
Author:  supercharged [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
in a case like that I like to suggest that they tip there bartender. BUT I don't ever refuse a free beer , even tho all of our bars comp us at least 3.
Author:  Lonman [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I wouldn't have given the kj anything in the first place being he was that bad to begin with. I tip for good service.
But for him to call you out over the mic was more of a jerk thing to do rather than just handing it back to you and explain he didn't take tips.
Author:  knightshow [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
yeah, he broke bad form... since he's so bad, he probably didn't know what to do with it! LOL! Never been tipped before is my guess! LOL!
Author:  SwingcatKurt [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
The APPROPRIATE response to an actual TIP and NOT A BRIBE is to graciously accept it and perhaps try to defer and tell them its really not neccessary. But if the custie INSISTS then accept it graciously and tell them thank you and hope to see them again.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: an actual tip is a gesture of gratefulness for a job well done.

Not a bribe or an attempt to buy someone off. To simply refuse it would be RUDE and ARROGANT and leave a very BAD TASTE in the custies mouth.
Author:  Babs [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
Bigmike - Your instinct is correct. The guy obviously has NO TACT !
Author:  KJBigMike [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I first thought it was just him but one of the people I was out with said they had never seen anyone tip before. It's like in Oregon since you are not aloud to pump your own gas you would think that tipping a gas station attendant would be natural but I found that it is just not done or expected there. I got a lot of strange looks when I first moved there.

When in Rome....

Thanks guys, I will continue t tip then. I don't plan on going back to that place so it won't be a problem. lol
Author:  Bill H. [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I don't put a tip jar out and don't expect tips. But I don't refuse tips either.

If you are wondering what to do if there's no tip jar, watch the regulars. Actually if there is a tip jar, watch them too. They may not be tipping even if it's there. Of course, you still can.
Author:  alexandt35 [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I gladly accept tips but not bribes. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference. You should not have benn called out in that manner though.
Author:  eben [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
alexandt35 @ Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:48 pm wrote:
I gladly accept tips but not bribes. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference. You should not have benn called out in that manner though.


That's why I put a tip jar out. If they are standing around with a bill in their hand, it's more than likely it's a bribe. If it's just a tip, they put it in the jar.
Author:  masterblaster [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I'm not saying this KJ wasn't bad, but since when did staying behind your mixer become "laziness"? That's where I am 95% of the time. Also, does "stage presence" refer to his presence on stage while singing? That, in my opinion, is not a legitimate beef against the KJ. He's not there to entertain you. That's what the singers are for.

I could understand the comment if "stage presence" referred to his overall personality, though. If he was indeed spending all his time behind the mixer, there is absolutely no excuse for shoddy mixing.

As far as the tipping incident-- wow. Absolutely a no-class move on his part. Anybody else in the crowd that heard that would definately think twice about ever tipping him, if they ever would in the first place.
Author:  KJBigMike [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I too stay behind my equipment 75% of the time. The rest of the time is mingling with the crowd. Asking people if they want to sing, Dancing, talking to people who are noticably by themselves, and making sure the sound is good throughout the bar. When I am behind the equipment I don't even think about sitting untill the end when fatigue sets in from all of the dancing.

As for Stage Presence I mean interacting with the crowd on the mic and not just repeting the same line all night. KJs are not just the guy who puts up the next song and hands out the mic. We are the show within the show.

That make since?
Author:  Nlouch [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
Tipping in the UK in unheard of pretty much :(
Author:  SwingcatKurt [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
KJ'ing. Think of MASTER OF CEREMONIES (MC) or TV GAME SHOW HOST.
Author:  DangerousDanKaraoke [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
eben @ Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:16 pm wrote:
That's why I put a tip jar out. If they are standing around with a bill in their hand, it's more than likely it's a bribe. If it's just a tip, they put it in the jar.
What an astute observation! Yes, it's usually the people who taunt me with a bill like holding up a carrot who want something in return for their money...usually moved up in the rotation. Those who hand me their slip and just throw something in the jar are doing it out of appreciation for my hard work - no more, no less.
KJBigMike @ Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:47 am wrote:
I too stay behind my equipment 75% of the time. The rest of the time is mingling with the crowd. Asking people if they want to sing, Dancing, talking to people who are noticably by themselves ...
Mike, you have to do what you feel is right for you and the venue. Personally, I'm not a "rent-a-friend". I stay behind my console and on stage 100% of the time. I don't want to mingle, don't want to engage you in conversation or be your BFF. I'm going to treat you politely and professionally when you come up with your slip or have questions. I'm going to hype you as you walk to the stage, work your mix throughout your song to make sure your levels are continuous even if you or the music get softer or louder and urge everyone to give you a big round of applause after your song.

I'm a KJ. That's what I do.
Author:  masterblaster [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I'm more like DangerousDan. I may be an MC, but never do I act like a gameshow host.
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tipping?
I am more MC than gameshow host for certain.

I on't mean this in a negative way, and I try not to convey this - but I'm not there to be your friend - I am there to serve you with a product or offering.

That doesn't mean I am not friendly.
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