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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
OK, sooner or later someone was gonna ask, and I know you've addressed this before elsewhere, but...
There seems to be quite a bit of controversy regarding a restuarant magician accepting tips. For the benefit of the Cafe members who may not have read your thoughts on this before, can you please tell us your philosophy regarding tips from the patrons: do you accept them, and why or why not?
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
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Jim Sisti V.I.P. Connecticut 457 Posts |
I went back and forth on this for a while early on in my restaurant magic career. When I first started out, I would take them and even push the tip a bit. Later on, as I read different opinions on the subject, I adopted the "no tips under any circumstances" stance.
These days, I find myself somewhere in the middle but still leaning toward not accepting them. I'd rather say "no" than accept, say, five dollars for doing ten minutes at someone's table. Could I reasonably be expected, then, to do an hour for thirty bucks? Hardly...but that may be someone's expectation when they call me to do private work...and are _they_ in for a surprise! What I've been doing for the last several years is to initially turn down the tip and often suggest that they add it to their waitperson's gratuity. Many times, however, they're insistent - tipping is the accepted way people in a restaurant environment express their thanks for a job well done - so if they really insist, it's just easier (and better manners) to accept it graciously. |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Any research to find out if the tips so directed actually got added to the server's tip?
Tom |
DoctorAmazo Special user Florida 643 Posts |
This isn't hard research, of course, just anecdotal....
I was asked to "add it to the server's tip" once. I didn't. The magician's performance was much better than the waitress's... I DID tell the hostess how much we enjoyed the magic. I hope it got back to the manager. |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
While seeing Jim's point about tiping affecting the perceived value of your services, Doc's point makes my feeling even more concrete.
If your intention is to increase tips to the servers and not take them yourself. If that is your goal at that level, I suggest you accept any tips and personally pass them on to the servers. It is a win for the audience, the server, and the performer. |
Jim Sisti V.I.P. Connecticut 457 Posts |
I agree to a point, Tom, but I still prefer to turn away the tip with extreme politeness and gratitude to set myself apart from the other service personnel, from the hostess to the waitress to the valet parking guy, who all expect a tip.
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Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Hello friends,
I gather from this thread of posts that the only legitimate way of making money in clubs or restaurants is being paid directly by the management. Previously I had imagined that, at least sometimes, the magician worked for tips with the management's permission. I take it this is not the case. alleycat
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
Jim Sisti V.I.P. Connecticut 457 Posts |
Though I'm sure many have gone this route (in fact, one enterprising "performer" in Las Vegas actually wrote a book on how to work just for tips - I'm not sure of the title but in my mind, it should have been titled "The Fine Art of Begging"), it's fundamentally a bad idea for both the performer and the restaurant.
What will invariably happen is that the performer, whose only source of income is shaking down the customers, will become agressive, using all sorts of cheap and tawdry strategies to get the tip and this will, in turn, make the customers cranky. If they feel they can't eat a meal in peace without someone trying to hustle them for money, they'll probably not return. Once the management figures out that the performer is making the customers irate, Mr. Magic is history. My advice is to hone your skills to a point where it's a marketable product and then only work for what the true value of what you bring to the restaurant is worth. |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
My feeling is this: I never solicit tips, but I do accept them if they are offerred. While I have heard your argument before Jim, from a number of people, I think (if I may be so bold) that it is flawed.
People tip their server, say, five dollars after a meal. Surely they don't assume that the server will come to their house or office and bring them a meal for five dollars. They understand that the server is being paid by the restaurant, yet they give them a little "something extra" for their good service. I have found the same is true for me as a restaurant performer. People know the restaurant is paying me. On my table tents, it says, "This service is being brought to you compliments of the X restaurant. Tips are not required." So I don't expect a tip, and I don't try to get one. But if, after reading this, people still WANT to tip me, I absolutely accept it. (I also share it with the waitstaff.) However, I have never (in over 12 years) had anyone call me about a private show, assuming that because they had tipped me $5 for 15 minutes at the restaurant they could get a 1/2 hour for $10. I think there are a couple of reasons for this. One, they knew I was being paid by the restaurant. Two, I did not require the tip, nor did I tell them how much to tip me. Three, they know I am being paid for a long-term engagement at the restaurant, and folks understand that a one-time show will naturally be more expensive. So when I quote them a price of several hundred dollars for 30 minutes, I've never had them say, "But we only paid you five at the restaurant!" Because they knew they weren't PAYING me for my services, they were THANKING me for them. I do agree that you should never "hustle" tips, though. I'd much rather build a good relationship that will bring me (and the restaurant) more business down the road--and make some new friends! Sorry, I know this is Jim's forum, not mine. I'd like to hear your response, though, Jim.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Jim Sisti V.I.P. Connecticut 457 Posts |
Well, of course no one has ever thought they could get a half-hour show from me for $10.00 either. You're being a bit literal, now (if not slightly silly).
My point is about perception. I don't want to be perceived as being one of the service personnel. (This is why I refuse to wear a tuxedo unless I am absolutely required to by the client - I don't want someone to ask me if I wouldn't mind getting them some butter.) However, if you read my posting above more carefully, you would have seen that I, in essence, have the same approach as you. Quoting from above now: "Many times, however, they're insistent - tipping is the accepted way people in a restaurant environment express their thanks for a job well done - so if they really insist, it's just easier (and better manners) to accept it graciously." Frankly, I think we've exhausted this subject... |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
My apologies. I did not want to seem argumentative--apparently I phrased my point badly. Sorry for any offense.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Jim Sisti V.I.P. Connecticut 457 Posts |
None taken, Scott. Thanks...
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