Is A Tip Jar At A Gig OK? - With Poll

[Smooth_bass88]

A tip jar is an absolutely terrible awful idea because it's akin to panhandling. Also it lowers the bar for those of us trying to earn a living. CHARGE PEOPLE A COVER! Pay the band what they're worth!

 

[eb3mike]

We played a small place once and we were getting paid to play. A guy comes up and asks where our tip jar was. We told him we didn't have one. He went to the bar, got an empty beer pitcher, dropped $100 in it and said "Will you guys play Simple Man for me?" We told him we didn't know it. He asked if we'd try. I knew the song from a previous band and the words so we gave it a go. He sat by the bar tearing up. I thought it was because my singing was so bad. He told us later that night that his mom had died and it was the anniversary of her death.

Bar paid us $300 and we got $180 plus in tips that night. I didn't see an issue with it. Generally, we don't have one out unless it's to raise money for a cause.

We played a small place once and we were getting paid to play. A guy comes up and asks where our tip jar was. We told him we didn't have one. He went to the bar, got an empty beer pitcher, dropped $100 in it and said "Will you guys play Simple Man for me?" We told him we didn't know it. He asked if we'd try. I knew the song from a previous band and the words so we gave it a go. He sat by the bar tearing up. I thought it was because my singing was so bad. He told us later that night that his mom had died and it was the anniversary of her death.

Bar paid us $300 and we got $180 plus in tips that night. I didn't see an issue with it. Generally, we don't have one out unless it's to raise money for a cause.

First gig last August as an acoustic duo (Bass/Guitar) in OIB NC. Looking for gigs we stop in one afternoon agreed to play an hour free outside on the deck. After 3 songs the owner comes out and asks where our tip jar was. I had never used or seen one in MD. He goes to the kitchen and brings out a large jug with tips written on it and throws in a hundred. We end up playing three hours with no break. Well over 2bills in the jar at end of night and we play there every other weekend (paid) thru the rest of the year. Special folks and they are a priority for us this year. The tip jar stays.

 

[IamGroot]

If I get funny looks from my band members at wedding and church gigs, i dont share the tip jar.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I'm in a country where tipping is not a part of our culture AT ALL.

This thread is really interesting to me.

You bring up a good point. The US has an extreme tipping culture that is really not found anywhere else in the world. Everyone that works in the service industry there expects a generous tip, regardless if they did anything to earn it or not.

 

[Daniel Piper]

You bring up a good point. The US has an extreme tipping culture that is really not found anywhere else in the world. Everyone that works in the service industry there expects a generous tip, regardless if they did anything to earn it or not.

Yeah- I'm just trying to imagine how it would go down in my context (New Zealand)

I think it would probably be met with quiet disdain by patrons.

But if I lived in a country where tipping is just part of life- I would ride that train all night long!

 

[AaronVonRock]

Yeah- I'm just trying to imagine how it would go down in my context (New Zealand)

I think it would probably be met with quiet disdain by patrons.

But if I lived in a country where tipping is just part of life- I would ride that train all night long!

"Quiet disdain" is a good description.

Tip jars do come across as a bit clumsy and heavy-handed, but many people in the US don't even question tipping. They've been conditioned to automatically tip for everything, so I guess it's difficult to fault bands there for doing it.

 

[gln1955]

"Quiet disdain" is a good description.

Tip jars do come across as a bit clumsy and heavy-handed, but many people in the US don't even question tipping. They've been conditioned to automatically tip for everything, so I guess it's difficult to fault bands there for doing it.

Tip jar near the stage is one thing, but passing it around is like the collection plate at church. Guilting you into putting something in whether it's deserved or not.

 

[Passinwind]

Yeah- I'm just trying to imagine how it would go down in my context (New Zealand)

I think it would probably be met with quiet disdain by patrons.

But if I lived in a country where tipping is just part of life- I would ride that train all night long!

Exactly. Aussies and Brits sometimes get a whole lot more than quiet disdain from servers in the US for not hewing to our standard accepted practices. And for better or worse, musicians here are often treated like service workers.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I just put it out there. I've gone weeks without a tip, we had a night last year where someone likes us so much he gave a $100 tip after a great night. A customer.

 

[Daniel Piper]

"Quiet disdain" is a good description.

Tip jars do come across as a bit clumsy and heavy-handed, but many people in the US don't even question tipping. They've been conditioned to automatically tip for everything, so I guess it's difficult to fault bands there for doing it.

Yip- right on.

If it's an essential part of the economy, and helps create a wage worth getting out of bed for- there's no point in Turning your nose up at it.

 

[dtripoli]

Tip jar is fine in most instances. Except benefits, cover charge clubs where you are being paid, weddings.
Common sense should tell you if it's tacky or inappropriate.
Most clubs are fine having a tip jar and some even supply you with one. Getting people to put money in it is another thing.
Our female vocalist reminds the audience that we have a tip jar and need gas money to get home(never mind that she drives a 2017 Corvette) we also have a dancing tambourine player that shows up for every gig and we give her space on stage. Towards the end of the evening, she'll walk among the crowd with the tip jar and come back with it doubled in size. She is an official band member now. Having a go-go girl dancing and playing tambourine gets the crowd up and dancing.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

I've only seen this for like, guys playing "American Pie" in restaurants with an acoustic guitar on a Friday night. Basically, they're busking in a corner of the establishment, and every once in a while the diners will clap politely. They have a jar or their case is open.

It's probably tacky for an actual band gig.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

So, no. Thanks.

On a personal level, that's actually a yes. Although unrelated to the tip jar scenario...

 

[RustyAxe]

A tip jar is an absolutely terrible awful idea because it's akin to panhandling. Also it lowers the bar for those of us trying to earn a living. CHARGE PEOPLE A COVER! Pay the band what they're worth!

You seem to miss the point that some gigs pay just fine. Some gigs have a cover. Some bands put out a tip jar. Look, if you want me to go off my setlist and play what YOU want me to play (like a jukebox) it's not unreasonable for me to expect a little respect $. Can't get your head around it? Too bad.

If you think an act that plays for tips (only), or plays for peanuts is stealing earning potential from your band, you need to up YOUR game, not demand that others change theirs.

 

[MegaSwing]

FWIW, my wife and I were shocked to discover that most barroom gigs in Nashville are for tips only, and I’m sure the line is long to land one, even for players who haven’t hit a clam in years.

Honestly, I don’t see what this debate means. My band puts out the tip jar as a practical matter: We pass the tips along to our helpers. And only at public gigs. A tip jar at a private gig—like a wedding—can rightly be perceived as an insult to the host. Saloon keepers, on the other hand, are only insulted by low grosses.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

You seem to miss the point that some gigs pay just fine. Some gigs have a cover. Some bands put out a tip jar. Look, if you want me to go off my setlist and play what YOU want me to play (like a jukebox) it's not unreasonable for me to expect a little respect $. Can't get your head around it? Too bad.

If you think an act that plays for tips (only), or plays for peanuts is stealing earning potential from your band, you need to up YOUR game, not demand that others change theirs.

If you're a "street performer", sure throw a dollar in the guy's guitar case.