Karaoke Forums

The bigger the tip...
The more chance it is going to turn round and bite you in the arse.
Small is good.

I've found it doesn't matter whether you have a tip jar or not, people will want to tip you. At my bar gig, I put out a tip jar (it's an oversized margarita glass, actually...woo hoo!) so when people hand me cash, I stick it in there. Occasionally when someone hands me their slip, they will put a couple of singles in there themselves. I agree that's it's tacky to solicit tips, and I never do.

At private parties though, I only will accept a tip from the person who booked me. July 4th one of the singers wanted to give me some cash. I smiled and said, "Your host has already taken care of everything."

If I got $50 or $100 from someone at a bar gig? I would look at it and say, "Wow! You sure? (in case they're drunk) Thank you!!!"See above. I think if I've done my due diligence and asked them if they were sure - so if they want to think again and take it back, it's OK - and they still offer? Daddy's eating some steak tomorrow night!

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

I think that putting out a tip jar SCREAMS OUT to your customers to PLEASE subsidize my income because I didn't negotiate a fair price for my services. I just think it's tacky. If someone really wants to tip you, they will do it without being guilt tripped into it. Just my opinion. Your milage may vary.

Accept it GRACIOSLY and with HUMILITY and say are u sure? and THANK YOU VERY MUCH for thier GENEROSITY! And PLEASE COME AGAIN!!

That is what you say and how u say it.

Never turn down someone's generosity and gratefulness for the WONDERFUL TIME you provided them.

A tip of any size is a gesture of appreciation for a JOB WELL DONE and should at all times be accepted as such.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Simple, they're paid less than minimum wage because of the expectation of tips. I on the other hand, am paid a set amount by the bar that is far more than minimum wage and has no expectation of tips. Since I always ensure that I tip the bartenders, this just becomes my tip for them for the night.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Depends the bartenders at our club make more than minimum with full medical & dental benefits.

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

I can see that. Our bartenders never leave without at least $300 a night. They have about 6 jars on the bar, and they are always packed. There again, every place is so different. A lot of our patrons are vacationing; they are spending money.

I don't encourage tips; I just accept them graciously when they are given. I do wish people wouldn't announce it on the microphone. Like Babs, it is very embarrasing to me. But I can't always control it. I just never feel the need to give all of it to the bartender.

[/quote]Depends the bartenders at our club make more than minimum with full medical & dental benefits.[/quote]

Wow...makes me want to bartend...

I don't solicate tips. I think it is classless when KJ's start passing their tip jars around and actively asking for tips. I do have a tip jar. I say the same thing whenever someone give me a tip, large or small, because it is honest. I say "Thank you, I appreciate it". Getting a large tip may make you feel uncomfortable, but not accepting it will offend.

Felix the KJ

If everyone that sang tipped just pulled the handful of change out of their pocket i'd be a happy camper. Not that I live or rely on tips mind you - it does come in handy for getting new discs or upgrades of books - which is primarily what any that are given are used towards - yes all upgrades & books I would still get on my own but it does help, and yes I do have a jar out - it's in front, but not a major attraction, and I never point it out or make reference to it. If someone asks, there it is. I HATE when people announce over the mic to tip the karaoke host - but they are are usually saying it when they are saying to tip the bar staff as well.

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

I get asked where my tip jar is nightly. I simply tell them I accept tips but not bribes and my observation is a lot of folks tip with an expectation. If they want to tip me because they're having a good time, I'll smile, thank them and put it in my pocket.

I also get asked once in awhile how much it will take to move someone up to the next slot. My reply is generally in the $1000 range. They step back and ask WTF I'm thinking for that price. I explain that will buy a round for the bar and I figure that should mollify everyone for being moved down a slot. Have yet to have a taker for it

OT: Gryf - cool avatar !

When I first started I'd try to turn down tips. People do get offended. The bartender made me my first tip jar out of an old pitcher because I explained what was happening. She told me people just want to show their appreciation. That I should except graciously. She asked me how I'd feel if I tipped someone and they wouldn't take it. It kind of put things into perspective for me.

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

OMG - I wasn't expecting this many responses, but it goes to show I'm not the only one who has faced this dilemma.

I can generally tell when someone is tipping with the hope of getting special treatment, and I am tempted to take the money and treat them exactly as I would any other person at my show. The guilt would kill me, so I just refuse the tip.

The responses just made me feel better about taking all those tips.

"Thank you for your Generosity. Glad you're having a good time - PLEASE COME AGAIN!"

Thanks everyone!

Vic in Sydney

That's right...you rock on!!

Tips for private parties are pretty much not a problem in that range. It is not asking for any special favor, except to possilby remind you that you were appreciated if you ever get called by them again.

Othewise I try to put my tip jar some distance from where I can directly see it so that any tips that I get are largely annonomous. This prevents the appearance of "favors".

Karaoke means a lot to some people and I ocassionally gave big tips as a singer to a former KJ (annonomously) on special occasions (like just before his wedding). I know he never knew for sure who gave the tips. I knew the KJ was not doing too great financially and I wanted him to be able to keep doing karaoke, because I enjoyed it a lot, and he was the best KJ in the area. I knew that if he was getting a bit more cash he would keep doing it (and get new songs more often).

Large non-annonomous tips are another thing. Often it is just someone showing off, and if someone is that foolish with thier money, they don't deserve to have it.

Since this has been brought down to regular size tips, and I haven't seen this mentioned but vaguely once, in another post, my question is, first of all, I consider my self a drinker with a singing problem, I'm not a KJ ( though I've been asked to sub, but haven't taken the reigns): Is it ok, instead of tipping to buy you guys a drink? Generally that's what I like to do. I don't know if you all drink during your gigs or not. For some places this has worked out to be a double plus because they get a drink and they get bonuses depending on how much the bar takes in. Different levels of bonuses available. I don't do it every time. If I'm wrong forgive me, but you get paid to be there, and I don't know how much that is. Especially on slow nights when you need people I know you just appreciate a crowd.

Looking forward to your input so I'm not one of those "cheap bast__ds"

Thanks

I have people offer to buy me drinks. Although it is a nice gesture I don't drink. I'm always surprised that usually these people don't tip. In my mind tips are an extra bonus, so if you tip or not it does not bother me. Some people spend enough money just getting to the show and that is a tip in itself that they would travel that far just for me. Some people can't afford to be big tippers. It makes me feel good of course that people appreciate the service they are receiving by tipping me, but again, it is not expected.

I have some people that tip me a $1 everytime they sing and others that drop a $5 or $10 in the jar at the end of the night. I get the occasional $20 tip. I have one guy that gives me a $20 once a month and jokes it's his rent.

Some venue owners give their KJs free drinks as part of their agreement. This has been the case any where I have ever worked and I don't ask for it. I think it is just the norm in our area.

If you would like to show your appreciation by buying a drink and they graciously turn it down. I would through a couple bucks in the jar. (The price of the drink you would have bought any way)

One thing that bothers me is people who get all testy when I turn down the drink. I'll never understand that. What if I was a recovering alcholic?

Or people who don't tip when they offer a drink. I always wonder since it is pretty well known I don't drink if they just ask because they know I'll turn it down. I can't assume that though.

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

I don't drink while hosting either, Babs - I will suggest if they persist that I'd love to sit down with them at the end of my 'shift' while my partner is tearing down and enjoy a drink with them. Most are gone by that time.

For some reason I just don't like to see a host doing shots with patrons - just a personal thing. I guess because I wage a constant battle to rebuild the reputation that has been established by a lot of karaoke hosts whose shows have poor sound and the more they drink the worse it gets, people are falling all over, etc.

Don't want to start this discussion again...sorry. Just came to mind. Doesn't bother me either way if I get offered drinks or dollars - I enjoy doing the job and doing it well and a nice compliment serves the purpose for me.

Personally, I don't drink alcohol on the job, whether it's karaoke or solo performance or the band. I'm not able to give my best performance if I'm imbibing, so I don't.

To me, though, it's the the thought that counts. If you were to offer me a round at a gig, you'd get: "Thank you so much for offering, but I can't drink alcohol on the job and I get soft drinks for free here. You've made my day just by letting me know you're thinking of me though! Not many people do that!"

Tips: If you want to hand me money because I entertain you, I'll gladly accept it. If you want to bribe me to alter the rotation, I'll give it right back to you.

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Dave's not here.

Well, you've given me some insight I was looking for.

Thanks, I can't see it from the other side without asking. And it seems like more honesty asking here than in person because of not trying to hurt peoples feelings and being polite and all and not given an honest answer face to face because of it, if you know what I mean.

I appreciate the shows all y'al put on.