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Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
Peter,
I only beat my spouse when she steals my tips to buy drugs.... is that ok? Just kidding man. Seriously though, I agree with you 100%. Professionals don't solicit tips, period. |
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Alan Gold Regular user Key West, FL 149 Posts |
Jonathan, I go into major detail about tips and other parts of restaurant magic in my post in the "Strolling Through Restaurants" thread in this very section. I will not repeat it here, but let me say this....as a guy who waited tables for 17 years and has done restaurant magic for 4, if a restaurant magician tried to solicit a tip from me, I would find it unbelievably rude. It is acceptable for STREET magicians to solicit tips, because that is how they make their money, and after all, if you are watching his show, you chose to do so. In a restaurant, these people came to eat, and chances are did not know you were performing. To intrude on their dinner (even with their permission, which hopefully you got) and then to try to harangue them for tips, even politely, is just not acceptable. You should be getting paid by the restaurant. Now, personally I think that if they OFFER a tip, you can accept it (graciously), but to solicit for them is just flat out wrong.
As for the number of tricks you have....there may be nights where I honestly don't do more than four or five tricks all night. That being said, there is not a night in my restaurant where I do not have enough material for an hour's worth of magic. Why so much? Some people will want to see new things if they are regulars. Some people will keep you at their table longer (and will tip you to do so). Some will call you back to the table. And some will ask to see something different. ("We are bored with cards.") Just as when you are selling something you should ask for more than you are willing to take for it, you should have more tricks than you will need. Also, keep this in mind....doing walkaround, you need everything you do to be portable, and carried on your person. So, leave the Zig Zag at home with that tip bucket! :-) Alan
Remember: Al G. is just another way to say pond scum.
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CWMoss Regular user 111 Posts |
As for tips, I am in the both camps. I NEVER solicit tips but I do accept them.
If people ask should I tip you? I say, "it's not necessary." When people go to a restaurant, they expect to tip the waiter and if they sit at the bar before dinner, they expect to tip the bartender. These people do not make a living wage and depend on tips to compensate. It is not right that an entertainer approach your table at a restaurant and begin performing uninvited and then expect to be tipped. It's rude, it's uncomfortable and it destroys the effect I want my magic to bring. It can also be uncomfortable to refuse a tip. What if you do a 15 minute rockin' set for a table of six and they give you one or two dollars? I take it and say thank you, without a trace of sarcasm. They just had a good time and think they are doing the right thing. I just hope they treat the wait staff more generously. I'm trying to get gigs not tips. I'd rather get a $500 show than a $20 tip or even a $100 tip. If I was a CEO looking to hire entertainment for my office party, I would NOT hire someone that I thought was going to hustle my guests. And that includes aggresive marketing as well as soliciting tips. Act like a pro. |
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Chris Keppel Special user Kansas City MO 544 Posts |
If your magic is decent, good personality, great attitude, and making the person feel special for that split second, the tips will roll in. I do alot of walkaround, that's basicly all I do. I make my living working tables 4 times a week. There has been nigts I have made almost 100 bucks just in tips. There also has been nights were I made like 8 or 12 bucks all night. Sometimes the tips roll in. Sometimes they don't. I wouldnt worry to much about the tip. When you go getting to worried about making that extra 5 buck tip, then it takes away from what will really get you the tip. The great show you are giving them. Remember to just let it flow to you. It would be like being worried about the guy in the front seeing something, or a baby crying and interupting the show. You can worry about stuff like that. If it happens it happens, you go with the flow and keep the show moving.
www.chriskeppel.com
Kepp's Custom Carbon Fiber |
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
Doc Eason passes the hat after his close up show in a bar close up show.
I see nothing wrong with the way he does it. I have seen Terry Vecky take out a tip can in the middle of his close up show at the New York lounge. When I was working at Houdini's pub all the magicians had a tip glass or jar that they put down on the table with their close up mat. I have seen magicians with a button on their jacket that says I accept tips. Depening on the place, customers your act... Some magicians go after tips. But often the customers find it a little tacky after a smooth professional performance. I find it better if the place pays you to be there. Then if they offer a tip I would take it and say thank you! If you want to go after tips I find busking a little more rewarding... Best ahead, Glenn Bishop
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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Allan Elite user 405 Posts |
I think you have had a lot of answers about tips. However, I would like to go back to your statement about the high class restaurant that has a magician performing close-up. Are you actually going to go into the restaurant that someone else performs in and try to get his job? Why not find your own spot. I think it rude to try & get into a restaurant that has a magician. It just isn't right & I encourage you to get another place.
Also If you have no experience, get the experience in a less upscale place. Just knowing magic does not make you a restaurant magician. |
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kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
Well said Allan. I re-read the original post and I have to agree with you. I recently worked a great venue. I was gonna see the manager about getting regular work there but found out they already had a guy working Sunday Lunches, so I stepped back.
Jonathan, you said "I don't need the money..." maybe the magician working there does. I'd look elsewhere. When you do find somewhere, I wish you all the best. |
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Allan Elite user 405 Posts |
Kenisis, Thanks, I could not believe that no one else caught that. I think that with the world the way it is, it is almost becomes acceptable to screw others for your own gain. I think that we have to at least try to respect other performers.
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ScottJ Regular user Hertfordshire, England. 143 Posts |
Derren Brown came up with an interesting psychological subtlety to increase chances of getting a tip. Firstly, you should 'finish on a cracker'. like do the impossible in the most impressive way. He recommends floating a borrowed bill an inch off your hand, or similar.
But, when you take it, you say "Just an ordinary tip...", instead of "Just an ordinary £5 note". Also, I would recommend signing YOUR initials or first name on it (to prove you're not switching it), so they subconsciously see it as yours, so when you offer it back they will refuse to take it. I would say that this works for me 7 times out of 10. Hope this helps, Scott. |
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kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
I think this is kinda sad that people come up with ways to eek out tips from customers. If you get paid a decent sum for your work then squeezing your customers for tips, consciously or sub-consciously amounts to greed. When I take on a restaurant job I make sure I get a good fee. I don't need tips and I sure as heck won't use sad 'tricks' to get them. If they like what I do and wish to thank me financially that's fine. I don't like the idea of doing a trick that's psychologically geared to getting a tip. That's sick.
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Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
Jonathan,
If you don't need the money than why is your first concern in getting tips? IMHO tips are never acceptable; I make sure my fee is high enough that the patrons don't have to make up the difference. As far as working professionally, if you can count all your effects on two hands (with fingers left) I doubt if you're ready for full-time table hopping. You should have that many outs for when things don't work the way you planned. Also, if you have never done restaurant work before I don't think starting in a high-class restaurant asking for tips is a good idea. Just my two cents. |
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constantine Regular user Memphi, on the Mighty Muddy 189 Posts |
Constatine 49%er
“The way of the transgressor is hard—to quit.” —Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith |
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DavidH New user David Hira 6 Posts |
Wow... what an intersting array of opinions on this subject. I will bring you my experience of having been a restaurant magician AND from being an owner of a trendy restaurant that has strolling magic.
It is NOT my intention to put down others who have posted on this subject, but I disagree with many of those who have replied to this subject. First of all, most restaurants cannot and will not pay more than $50 - $75 an hour for a restaurant magician. It is simply not cost effective. I know hundreds of magicians personally, and I only know of ONE who made more than $75/hour on a regular weekly restaurant gig. Those who have suggested that you "not take tips and charge a respectable rate" simply do not have experience in the restaurant market, nor have they owned a restaurant before. (Perhaps I'm wrong in this statement, but I know my stuff on this subject!) My opinion is that you should never ask for tips, but should accept them and make that a part of your pay. There is NOTHING wrong with this approach. I prefer the "soft" approach. Table tents can be printed that say, "Appearing Thurs, Fri & Sat Nights, magician Joe Blow at your table side. Gratuities appreciated, but not expected!" When I worked restaurants, I ALWAYS opened with a trick using a silk out of my breast pocket of my jacket. As I removed it, a semi crumpled $5 and a $1 always "accidentally" pulled out of my pocket with the silk, which I would quickly push back into my pocket without a mention. This would plant the seed that I had received a gratuity from another patron. My set would be 3 routines, ending with a GREAT routine from Mark Wilson's Course in Magic that uses a borrowd $5 and $1. The trick is simple, effective, and leaves you with your palms up, a smile on your face and theirs, and best of all... a $1 and a $5 on the table. Hold that pose long enough, and you'll either get one of the bills, both of the bills, or none of the bills. I have NEVER received less than $100 in gratuities in a 3 hour evening. By the way, magicians don't take tips. We receive gratuities. T.I.P.s is an acronym that meant "To Insure Promptness", and money was given to a servant PRIOR to the service to make sure that they were attended to quickly. A gratuity is a "thank you" for a job well done and/or for going out of one's way. |
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Brent Boyko New user 10 Posts |
Jonathan,
When you are working the best thing to do is be payed enough not to need tips. You should be to a point eventually where you can easily refuse them. Also, if a spectator pulls out a dollar or two and throws it on the table like you are some sort of call-girl, never accept, you should refuse politely making them happy because they do not have to pay and keeping your dignity in tact. Only take tips which are respectfully given to you, my favorite is when someone folds it up in his palm and casually gives you a handshake, these people respect you. Brent |
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BenSchwartz Elite user Southern California 499 Posts |
Ok what the heck are some of you people thinking talking about.......... 18 tricks??? I have been working the exact same resturaunt now for 8 years. Yes, eight. I go into my gig and carry on me, a deck of cards ( I am not a card guy, but I do have some great routines for laymen), and I also carry a mystery box by john kennedy (the money version). Oh, I got a sharpie too. With these props, I can put on 20 minutes or more of entertainment. Ocassionally I will carry a couple double facers with me too. You can repeat your effects in the same area, don't be afraid to. You can do the same stuff over and over again every night, as long as its making you money. Just go with the flow, And the tips thing. don't solicit, don't even mention them. But, I cheat, when I ask for a bill to borrow for the money mystery box, I always ask for either 1 5, 10 or 20 dollar bill, and you will be surprised how many times I have gotten the 20 dollar bill to keep. And who says that you cant work for tips??? OOO I don't believe in that at all, The least I have come out of the resturaunt with on a really slow night where people aren't tipping is 30 bucks for two hours. Not very good, I know, but a halfway decent night will give me about 80 bucks or even 100 for two hours. hope I helped.
"The experience of astonishment is the experience of a clear, primal state of mind that they associate with a child's state of mind." ---- Paul Harris
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maniac New user Atlanta, Ga 65 Posts |
Ok My 2 cents!!!
First of all 18 tricks and remembering where you did the last 3 or 4, add in the table turn over and this seems like a bit much to manage. The only reason you would need "something differant" is if you have to go back to a table because of a problem with the food being ready. The thing that I have not seen anyone talk about here is the performance. If you are just doing tricks, then yes you will need 18 tricks maybe more. But if you are performing an act and/or routine that is entertaining than it is easy to move to the very next table and do the same routine The magic effects should be just a suprise in the entertainment that you are providing. Do your self a favor and put together a routine of 3 or 4 tricks that flow smoothly. If they say HOW DID YOU DO THAT or DO IT AGAIN, then maybe you just tricked them and it would not be a good idea to to the same trick at the next table! |
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johngault New user 7 Posts |
I'm not a fan of soliciting tips in magic. I agree with the idea that you should charge enough that you do not need them, but -
Once I was working at a private party and gentleman went out of his way to come across the room and quietly give a tip. When I politely said that I appreciate the offer but it wasn't necessary, I could see the he was somehow let down (perhaps offended). He had made an offer of his time and money and my refusing it seemed to be a bit of a smack. At that moment I learned that there is no rule about tips that is written in stone. |
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kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
There is nothing wromg in graciously accepting a tip when it is presented as a genuine 'thank you' from a patron or client. However it is wrong to try and squeeze tips from every table / group / patron you entertain, that's not what you are there for.
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