Karaoke Forums

Ah someone else sees it too! Too funny!

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

when it first started here I questioned its age. the lack of social skills, grammar etc are that of a teenager with english as a 2nd language

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Tipping isn't such a custom in the UK, and I've NEVER seen a KJ/DJ with a tips jar over here, nor in mainland Europe.

However, if I did, then sure I'd tip. Not for rotation, but because I know how the guy would feel - it's a way of saying "Hey, I really enjoyed it, thanks".

Hey, Gemini

SO WHAT?
or "whatever"

You started this thread for "who knows what reason"?

I guess you're telling us the you're "above" accepting gratuities and would rather pass them onto the "lowly", "underpaid" waitstaff? Well, I for one, am not above getting tipped!

We try to offer and share ideas here, not utter dictates. Clearly, from all of your posts, you first love is to see your opinions posted!

Actually I kind of agree with this guy. I'll go against the flow of the thread. I pulled my tip jar because most of the tippers were then expecting me to cut them in line.

But I don't have a room with the kind of maturity to realize what tipping a karaoke host means. Those of you who do are in a better position to freely accept them. As for me I will take a tip if it's offered from a singer when they come up though.

Bill, I see what you're saying for sure - at our 'diaper' gig (mostly youngsters 21-26), tips aren't even issue because none are offered; however, at other gigs, or when mature singers come to sing, they will always tip. Social etiquette maybe?

k

Actually Karen I'm kind of regretting my decision. But I've done it and it would look like pandering to put it back out. I've built up a certain level of respect and trust with my regulars and I don't want to jeopardize that.

But looking back, I should have kept it out and stubbornly and repeatedly explained to all that tipping me doesn't get you up any faster than not tipping. The bar staff makes a ton in tips so this crowd isn't opposed to the idea.

Actually, Bill, I've run into very few occasions during which someone expected that a tip would boost their position in the queue. And, in each case, the party made it quite clear to me that they were dropping in a tip for that purpose. I quickly informed them that while their tip would not effect such results, it was appreciated, nonetheless.

Then, it's up to the individual to retrieve their tip, if they so desire!

I've found it that simple to deal with such a self-centered, discourteous and inconsiderate person

I think (hope) you can resurrect the tip concept if you do it subtly. Get a new, smaller vessel and put it in a different spot.

I was hosting one time and a guy just sang a song. He came back up when the next singer was singing and said he wanted to sing again right away. There were like 5 people in front of him. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a 20 dollar bill. I took it and said, you're next.

I can understand not having a tip jar if there is an influx of new people who come to your venue. It would be a headache to constantly explain you don't take bribes. I have a thought - you could always put on your tip jar " Tips appreciated - No bribes accepted - Thank you"

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Maybe make a joke about TIP not meaning "to insure priority" or something like that. Usually those who are wanting special treatment make a point of handing the cash to the host - usually flashing it so the host can see the denomination of the bill. Most bribers don't put the $$$ in the tip jar. It's a simple thing to handle really - "Nope, can't buy your way up. But I sure appreciate that you appreciate my hosting!"

The few times that someone tried this with me, I very pointedly handed it back to them...they practically threw themselves on the floor. Just smile, said no as many times as they asked. As I recall, these singers were the same ones who would remark loudly after someone sang a song that they could definitely do it better....

k

The funny thing for me is the people who beg to be put up early in the rotation aren't bribing me. They just whine and beg, with some pretty illaborate excuses.

And I agree most people who do try to use money as a bribe hand it to you because they want to explain what they want you to do because of it.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

That's considered a bribe, not a tip. Big difference & you'd be really surprised how many WATCH this kind of activity & base the opinion on the show/host and whether or not to return to said show. I know I won't especially if I was next in line & you brought someone who paid you to 'bump' them up next.
IMO opinion I get paid well, I don't need to jepordize regular customers that will follow me nightly to line my pocket one night. If someone cannot wait their turn - especially 5 singers, then too bad. 9 out of 10 times they will wait anyway.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Gregory I know there are probably some here who will be outraged by that and perhaps see it as a "breach of professional integrity."

But we're talking about hosting karaoke in a bar, not being an accountant or attorney. If someone gives me $10 or $20 - and they haven't sung in the last 30 minutes (or at all that night) I have no problem with giving a hefty tipper a little preferential treatment.

Think of what happens at the bar. If on your first round you give the bartender a nice tip, you can bet that when you come up for your second drink, they're going to look past all the other waiting people who might have been standing there longer and take YOUR order.

We're all in the service business, and from the parking valet to the maitre d' to the skycap that checks our bags at the airport, we all know that tips get attention and preferential treatment. That being said, there are times where I have a slew of people who haven't sung and I'm full up for the night and even Andrew Jackson won't get them in the rotation - and I tell them so.

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[font=Lucida Console]DangerousKaraoke.com[/font]
[font=Lucida Console]"Sing for the day, sing for the moment, sing for the time of your life!"[/font]

Have to agree with Lonman. Tip for preference is a bribe. And quite often the same people who complain about our political figures taking "pack" monies are the same who basically do the same thing in everyday life. Service business to me is treating everyone the same.

I know "it's only karaoke." But it's MY character, MY beliefs. I run my karaoke the same way I do and have run my department (Fire) for years; every citizen deserves the SAME level of service regardless of their position in life. I have several regulars who tip me because of the quality of my show. That's fine. If I take money from someone to bump them, then I am in effect telling everyone else they are better than you.

I guess it's the same reason I won't buy from companies who try to give away "FREE" gifts for purchasing their product. One, It ain't my money, it's the tax payers. In Karaoke, it ain't "MY Time" it's the customers/singers.

Kelly

By taking bribes you open a can of worms. It isn't worth the complaints and whining you'll hear because of it. Not to mention the people who will not attend your show because of it. It is bad for business period. It ruins your reputation as a fair host.

You may think your making more money this way in actuality you will lose money in the long run. People tip for several reasons. I would rather keep my customers and receive tips for a good show. Than lose customers for taking a few bribes.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Okay, Dan, be very careful with this whole subject. I was contemplating bringing a group of people to your show in the near future. What you say here has really given me pause to reconsider. If I drive 20 miles to a show and some "more money than brains" gets preferential treatment, I have to seriously think that we may be happier somewhere else, where the rotation is fair. It's all about rotation and don't kid yourself, people keep track. The hosts who are "on the take" really have bad reputations and often people only go to their show because there isn't anywhere else nearby. You're in an area where there are lots of places within a 10-minute drive from there. From one host to another, just be very careful with this type of business practice.

You seriously don't want to drive potentially good customers away, straight up the street.

k

This is exactly what happens to KJ's who take Bribes!

Once the customers see you doing it then your credibility is gone, and don't think they won't talk about you to other KJ's and other singers. The karaoke community is really pretty tight knit. This will eventually hurt you and your business. Many times you will have no idea that this type of conversation about you is happening. One day you will say...what happened to all my regulars? ......It must be the economy, or gas prices etc.

Karen's comments are a perfect example of how quickly you can lose business without even knowing it. Even though you may not have a problem with it, the majority of your customers and peers do.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I've thought about putting out a tip jar, but just never have. I get them on occasion, but I try to keep it on the down low so others don't think I'm giving a tipper preferential treatment. I'll occasionally bump someone up a spot or two if they haven't sung yet, but that's the best I'll do.

People have told me numerous times that I deserve tips and should put out a jar, and my response is always, "I get paid pretty well for my show, so anything on top of that is great, but I feel weird putting a jar out. Feels presumptuous." Well, they tip me anyway, so I'm starting to think differently. I may put out a tip jar this week and monitor what happens.

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hi-voxentertainment

Don't be ridiculous, just put the tip jar back out if you want one there. Assuming you have no plans to start soliciting people to tip you, there's nothing that's going to jeopardize anything with anybody. If they want to tip you they will, if they don't want to they won't, only the completely irrational would somehow take offense to it being there unobtrusively. I agree with the others, just make a cute little sign that gets the point across that tips are fine but they're not going to get you up to sing any faster.