Tips !

[Garry A. Leslie]

Hey All,
The guy with the $40 should spend it having analysis.
When I've been in the States I've put my dollars in the jar, like everyone else
Tipping is not part of our culture in the UK, neither is bribery except if you'r in Government.
Except for a charity event, where you know the money is for a good cause there's no way I'd pay to sing.
As a KJ I'd politely tell him to keep his money and join the queue.
Regards from across the pond
Garry.

[WDEWDAD7]

I agree with and do the exact same thing as mindonstrike does. I run a fast, fair, friendly show. I built my reputation as such, and bribes won't ruin my rep. I have had all sorts of types of bribes. Money, drinks, ....favors! I politely refuse them. I explain my policy (which is also in the front of my books). If they want to tip me for doing a good job...fine. But, sorry, no bribes. The bartender at the main place I run a show told me once to announce over the mic that "Joe" wants to offer $100.00 if he can go next. Does two things ..shuts the guy up, or gets me the $100.00. I told the bartender it wasn't worth my credibility. I explain that I run a fast show, so hopefully, the wait won't be long. And....I then remind him/her to turn a song in....others are turning them in while you are trying to bribe me. I also do not touch the money until the customer walks away, and even then, I set it aside until the end of the night. ps, I really get annoyed by the people who have the gall to say..."Hey, me and my friends are leaving, can you move us up next so we can go"?......I don't think so.

[bryant]

Once I asked the guy to go ask the three singers that are next if they feel it's okay to jump in and sing before them. Man, the guy said immediately "No, it's alright, never mind" and walked away grumbling. See, what it is, they may come from another show that caters to them, and almost expect it from me and others. They get a little "put out" when other shows don't cater to them.

Note: Last I heard, one of the other bars in town may be looking for another KJ because they've been getting too many complaints about favoritism over their current KJ. I've been recommended and expect a call anytime. This has happened twice in the past year to me already. And when a bar-owner calls you, you have quite a leverage when dealing with price.

As a result, I have four gigs at three different places in Waterville, Maine, all within a mile from my house, and may be picking up on the last remaining bar in town, 8/10's of a mile from home. Two of the places have its own sound system and the others have my two sets kept there. There are also 4 or 5 other KJ's in the immediate area, they just haven't figured it out yet.

[kedmison]

I do accept tips. I don't use tip jars. I don't get that many tips. The ones I do get I know that they are meant as tips and only that. I get offered big bucks many times to bump. My regulars know I do not bump. I did have one guy once who offered $200 bucks. I of course said no, he called me stupid and and offered me $300. I said no, but if you make it $350 we can probably buy a round for the house and they MIGHT let you sing. He got pissed and left and because I kept the mic on, the crowd got one heck of a laugh.

Kelly

[WDEWDAD7]

Good one!!!

[pelletmon]

Yeah really.Can I borrow that one?