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Taking Tips (Bribes)
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Author:  Earl [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Taking Tips (Bribes)
Rather than hi-jack the Singing In Nashville thread, I thought I'd ask here... Is it common to see tip jars in your area? and if so, why do people tip?

Perhaps I just live a sheltered life, but here in Canada, I've never seen a tip jar at a karaoke function (except at the bar of course), nor have I ever heard of a KJ taking money to bump someone in the rotation.

I've seen plenty of KJs playing favorites with their friends, and they normally dont last very long, but I doubt there's ever any bribes involved.
Author:  Lonman [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
It's common to see tip jars here. I have one. I never push it though, if someone asks i'll point to it.
Absolutely do not take tips to move anyone, and that is stated right on the jar.
I tip hosts that I think are doing a good job when I go to other shows.
Author:  chrisavis [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
Lonman wrote:
It's common to see tip jars here. I have one. I never push it though, if someone asks i'll point to it.
Absolutely do not take tips to move anyone, and that is stated right on the jar.
I tip hosts that I think are doing a good job when I go to other shows.


Ditto on this. I do exactly the same at my shows.

-Chris
Author:  rickgood [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
It's a different scene at resort areas. I've tipped to sing in Reno and Vegas both. My KJ/DJ gig in Myrtle Beach it was accepted practice before I arrived, so I continued it. 6 -7 months of the year I
could make $200-300 extra on top of my $45 per hour pay. Several times I had folks drop a $100 bill in, both for karaoke or to play a song. Since it was a resort area, very few regular singers. The place was always, and still is, packed wed-sat nights.
Author:  johnny reverb [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
rickgood wrote:
It's a different scene at resort areas. I've tipped to sing in Reno and Vegas both. My KJ/DJ gig in Myrtle Beach it was accepted practice before I arrived, so I continued it. 6 -7 months of the year I
could make $200-300 extra on top of my $45 per hour pay. Several times I had folks drop a $100 bill in, both for karaoke or to play a song. Since it was a resort area, very few regular singers. The place was always, and still is, packed wed-sat nights.


Rick, are you over there at Broadway on the Beach?
Author:  BigJer [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
I don't have a tip jar, but if someone comes up and offers a tip I take it and use it to buy new music. They don't get moved for it, but I've had a guy tip me to sing a certain song for him - (boy he must have been drunk, but ok sure I'll try it if you're tipping) and just an occasional "you're doing a good job" tip.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
BigJer wrote:
I don't have a tip jar, but if someone comes up and offers a tip I take it and use it to buy new music. They don't get moved for it, but I've had a guy tip me to sing a certain song for him - (boy he must have been drunk, but ok sure I'll try it if you're tipping) and just an occasional "you're doing a good job" tip.

I have gotten some tips, and have turned down the couple of offers of a $20 to move someone up. But haven't hosted enough to have a lot of experience.

As a singer, I mostly slip the host a few bucks depending on how many times I sing. If I sing three times, I'll usually give five. I give more if the host has a real good sound system and knows how to adjust me so I a) can hear myself and b) sound my best. I don't tip much if at all if the sound system sucks or the host doesn't know how to set it up.
Author:  twansenne [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
Don't take tips. If someone insists, I tell them to give it to the bartender. I don't want anyone to think that a tip can influence me.

Now I have had people "pass that hat" for me, after normal quitting time, to stay longer. When the hat comes back I play for 1 minute longer for every dollar. This is only if the bartenders/manager/owner wants it to last past normal quitting time. But I do continue with the same rotation.
Author:  SwingcatKurt [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
Do use a tip jar. Refuse to be bribed to move up in rotation. Only expect tips if someone thinks I'm doing a superlative DJ'ing job....kindness of their heart kinda thing. DO tip others if I think THEY are doing superlative job!
Author:  JoeChartreuse [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
No jar here. Whether true or not, people here think that if you take a tip, you are taking a bribe. I do accept "handshake" tips AFTER the show is over, or for certain things. Example:

A non-singing couple is celebrating an anniversary and want me to sing a slow song to which they can dance. When I do this, I add a dedication ( which is also an explaination for me singing, as I normally won't). Sometimes they will tip for that, though it is not why I do it- I'm just a romantic.
Author:  Brian A [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
I also have a tip jar & here’s the reason: Back then, I don’t have a tip jar because I don’t accept tips. People were asking for it, I tell them I don’t have it. That’s when they insist on handing me the money, of which I refuse to take. That’s was the game change for me.

When money changed hands for audience to see, the perception appears that I accepted a bribe, meaning I would give that certain tipper/singer a preferential treatment, i.e., its bump time. Words get around; my regulars know I cannot be bribed, they even witnessed I turned down $100 when one guy want to sing next. They asked me why not, I told them my rotation is an integrity issue. I have it written in my books “Tipping is optional (but greatly appreciated). A tip, however, will not buy you any preference in the rotation, or even get you to sing earlier. A tip is to show appreciation for a job well done. A bribe is essentially to expect something in return. ALL proceeds from the tip jar go toward the purchase of new karaoke songs for your enjoyment”.

I will never hold money being handed to me. I will politely point to my jar to please put it there. :)

“And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right”. Exodus 23:8
Author:  Lonman [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
People know I don't mess with the rotation because I have it posted for all to see. Everyone knows how I add new singers in (it shows on my rotation screen) and if I bumped anyone, they would see it as well. Not going to risk any of the regs to get pissed just to line my pockets. I too have turned down $50 and $100 bills waved in my face to get them up next. Not my style. A tip is nothing more than a thank you, a bribe is basically 'buying' the kj and knowing they can!
Author:  MrBoo [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
As I said in the other thread, I didn't accept tips. I had guys that worked for me from time to time. They were not always as impossible to sway into rotation changes (or that was my fear) so staying away from tips sorta helped a little in that regard.

They did pass the hat a few times to play longer when the bar would not cover the time.

That doesn't mean I am against it as I fully understand there are differences from one location to another. If I went in a place that had a tip jar and the host was doing a good job, I'd throw some bucks in. I tipped the last time I sang out, now that I think about it.
Author:  Paradigm Karaoke [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
i have a tip jar but everyone knows i make my own mom wait her turn (they've seen me do it). usually refusing to bump someone and explaining "this is why i have a 2 hour wait on a wednesday, because you know that if i wont bump you, i wont bump anyone in front of you either." they put the money in the jar anyway and say they respect that and i deserve the tip for that. i don't see why we shouldn't take tips, someone buys a bottle of beer they leave a dollar for the bartender for removing the bottle cap....
Author:  Bazza [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 5:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
JoeChartreuse wrote:
Whether true or not, people here think that if you take a tip, you are taking a bribe.


Is tipping the bartender or wait staff viewed as a bribe?
Is tipping your hair stylist or barber a bribe?
Is tipping the kid who mows your lawn a bribe?

I accept tips if offered, but don't have a jar. A tip is a tip. As long as the KJ isn't implying something by taking tips (or blatantly acting upon them) I have no problem with it.
Author:  mrmarog [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
We all work hard at putting on the best show that we can, and when someone feels strongly (by tipping) that we deserve to be "additionally incentified/enumerated" then I feel it is money I earned. On evenings that I stay late, it is understood that I am playing late because they are asking for it, not because the bar is paying for it, then tip jar goes around the room, and the show goes on.
Author:  johnny reverb [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
I used to put out a tip jar, but rarely got any money put into it. Then for about a month straight, I kept getting someone writing things on the back of my song slips, folding them up and putting them in the tip jar.......all in the same hand-writing.
Stuff like....get a new Kj....quit taking a turn, karaoke is for paying customers.....get some videos on proper audio mixing techniques....stuff like that. Then one day, at the end of the night, there were two notes....one said.....you're a lousey lover, and the other said I'm outta here for good. I went over to show my wife, and she was gone........ :shock:
Haven't seen her since, but it turned out to be the luckiest tip jar I ever had....... :)
Author:  PSSentertainment [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 7:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
I have a tip jar, but do not expect anything. I use the jar to hold my funny eye wear for the singers to wear and to put singers names in. I give away $20 of my bar tab to a singer if they are still there near the end of the night (their name gets put in for every song they sing). I have had people try to "bribe" their way up in the rotation. I've heard all the excuses, but I am not ruining my reputation for 1 person. I've worked my butt off to get over 20 singers a night. I feel bad for the singers that have been sitting around and waiting for over an hour to sing. One of my daughters comes out to the show, I will not even bump her up when she's getting ready to leave and she completely agrees.
Author:  MadMusicOne [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
...Brides, have I ever been offered? A few times but I always tell them I just can't do that to the other singers. Offerings for staying longer? Most definitely, if time permits it.

...However strange it seems, I've never had a tip jar but have been offered various tip amounts here and there. The only times I recall accepting tips is after a Private Event. Can't remembering accepting tips at a Commercial Venue, just the ole "pass the hat trick" for extended play time.

...If I ever go back to doing Commercial Venue Gigs again, I'm thinking about dressing up an old jar and writing "The Prechatcha Jar" on it. Just don't want it to look like I'm begging for tips.
Author:  TroyVnd27 [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Taking Tips (Bribes)
As a rule, I will not accept tips. When someone wants to tip me, I thank them, pat them on the back and say "You don't have to tip me. That's what I'm here for".
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