Depends on the gig...

99% of the time it's tacky and useless....

There are a small number of gigs where it works... but they're few and far between. For example - playing in resort areas a tip jar works.

or at bar gigs where the people are drunk anyway and will tip to have a song played.

no private party or clubs though, def wouldnt work.

You wouldn't be broke anymore after doing the gig, so why the tip jar again? :P Catch 22

It's not tacky or useless to me. AND it works in clubs and at private parties. I did an after party gig for a race car driver a few weeks ago and a guy tiped me $60 for one song. So... The club owner actually suggested I do it to deter people from requesting songs so often and asking me to shout out their girl on the mic every other song. People take the hint. I make about $40 off it each night which I use to tip my bar tender/waitress and the door man.

I think that is Ghetto

I know this has nothing to do with the subject but, one thing I do hate, is when a rapper or singer comes up to me when I have the whole place rocking, and they ask me to play there song. I have no problem supporting an artist but there is a place and time for everything. I tell them, F U pay me" I charge them mad money for my services, because 9 times out of 10 the song they want played is not on the same tempo I have the party rocking to. That's like playing some down south lil jon crunk and your asking me to play a House track.

Tip Jar's are a no no.

Tip jar's = weak

Just my opinion... charge a fair price and there is no need for a tip jar. If someone wants to kick you down on the sly, that's cool. I think a tip jar makes you look more like a begger than a pro.

cause randy aint playing no fucking tip jar games BiZATCH

Tacky is my opinion.

You guys must get $1,000 a gig...I don't quite yet. It's there for people who want to contribute. Has nothing to do with being professional or not. People don't have to contribute. Are waiters/bartenders less professional because they get tips?

No, but it's customary to tip food/drink service people. Music people, now...it makes you look like a bum on the street, plucking on a guitar.

Or beating on a 5 gallon bucket with drum sticks.

Wait, I'm confused...I thought that was just your Trigger Finger...

hahaha

Ok homie... So what separates a DJ from, say, a piano player in a cigar bar?

Exactly... Not much. I've yet to see a piano player/singer in any upscale place I've been in not have a tip jar. So does that make them look like bums too? If people want to give you money because you rock shit, then so be it. I got it before I had a tip jar. I get it even more so now.

You're right--not much...like MusicMeister said, I can see where it depends on the gig, but in most situations I say tacky.

This is just my opinion. If it works for you, great--by all means, do it!

Right on Punosion.. It's all good. Just having a hard time understanding how it's tacky, ghetto or whatever. Upscale places/ private parties = yes. Regular spots/ weddings = never.

Tip jars..... infuriate the ish out of me.
It's become an out of control. In some sort of fashio it's a reverse screw making me feel guilty that I didn't tip - inferring that I'm a cheapskate. First of all tipping is for servers (food and the last legal drug), valets and bellman. "Are waiters/bartenders less professional because they get tips?" NO!!!, They get paid less hourly due to the fact there job has a built in tip system.... After that - it's about the biggest crock of shit ever. Why the f*ck is there a tip jar at the Starbucks counter??? Is that the lowest ish ever??


If you've got the tip jar and people are filling it, well, I'm not gonna hop your case for it, but point at it and make me feel like ish, I'm likely ta kick ya in the nutz and jack it.

I agree with KaGeN. Yeah man that starbucks shit even DQ. In general there are a lot of places that have little tip cups/jars that whouldn't. The Taco Bell on base has one and I think its the dumbest shit in the world. Why am I gonna tip someone at taco bell if they can't even roll my shit in a way so that everything falls out when I go to eat it?

I have done several private gigs where they hired a pianist for the cocktail hour and never seen a tip jar. A tip jar in this environment is offending to the hiring party because they have invited guests to celebrate with them for a special occasion and it’s like you are hitting there quests up for money. In fact, I have done a few winery gigs where they have asked me not to even accept tips because they are providing there customers/club members with a type of appreciation event.

I have also seen a few dj’s with a tip jar out on their system and not only did it not look professional to me, there were several negative comments made by other guests. This was at a wedding where the dj also went to each table and handed out cards… WEAK!

Anyway, I think the common perspective from most when they see a tip jar is not professional. For myself, I always think the dj should have charged enough where a tip jar isn’t necessary. Again, if someone wants to tip you personally…cool!

Also, If it works for you in the environment you described… cool. I don’t think it’s common practice with most pro’s and in my opinion, viewed negatively by most venues and hiring parties.

i agree with kagen - you don't see no tip jar at the booty bar do you?

I appreciate your input Supernat. "Pro" is very loose word though. Some of the most "pro" DJ's I've seen are terrible DJ's. Maybe it's where I live, hell who knows. Again, I disagree that it's "viewed negatively by most venues" because the owner of (of the 4) places I spin weekly insisted that I have one - that's the only place I do it all week. Providing a service for guests mos def doesn't mean I have to take demanding requests from people every 4th song. So, if they wanna pay to hear they're favorite joint I had no intentions on paying - I'm with it.

Starbucks has a tip jar???

Actually yeah... There's a tip jar at the booty bar. It's called a two drink minimum. And you'll get kicked out if you don't follow that rule!

Not at the booy bars in the hood - its a 2 dance minimum

There is this fat bitch at the booty bar (Pete Moss' moms) she is shaped like a Jar, so I guess that can be considered a tip jar (even though nobody tips her)

LMAO!!!! That's what's up Bazerk!

I am a graphic designer at a sign company and i put a tip jar on my desk as a joke...and people really put $$$ in it! Its my friday lunch alcohol fund. I think tip jars are ok as long as they are discreet, who cares...if people arent down, they wont put anything in.

Word.

My first club DJ job, I was hired to replace a guy who had a tip jar...and was a slave to the thing. Probably a big reason I've never thought having one was a good idea. Also I've never DJ-ed in situations that were particularly "request-oriented" anyway.

I say get piad - by any means!!! Brothas gots kids to feed

I think you have found an environment where it works in more than one way. If you want a song that's gonna throw my set and my vibe off... you're gonna pay...anything less than a $20 will only get you the gas face! Gotcha... LOL!

Thats word to big bird!!!!

That also goes to any unkown artist wanting me to pay his single. I might show you love on a mix tape but at the party your gonna pay - BUDDY!

WTF....I thought they only did that sh** at the chinese food place that I go to down the street. Man that sh** pisses me off.

I agree with most of the people here that are against tips jars... but I'll outline a few times when they DO work and aren't tacky.

1. Playing in a resort area where nearly everyone gets tipped and the people are used to it. A guy brings your luggage to your room - you tip him, etc. It's all about service. In those cases where the DJ is playing a resort area then the tip jar isn't out of place.

2. When doing karaoke. Nearly every time I've played karaoke I'm asked where my tip jar is. Note that even when I'm playing in a club I'm asked where my tip car is. They WANT to tip me and I put the jar out so they can. If I'm hired to do karaoke for a private party I DON'T put out a tip jar.

3. When you're playing for tips only. I played some gigs at the local American Legion for tips only. They made announcements about it and I had a jar out for them to tip me.

When does it NOT work:

1. Private parties when you're play for pay. If they want to tip you they'll typically do it at the end of the night.

2. When you're playing your average club. Most tipping then is done on the sly to get a song played so a jar doesn't work.


Basically, if you're pay for play a tip jar is tacky... unless it's a situation where they WANT to tip you! I was actually asked at a wedding one time where my tip jar was!

See Supernat... We were so far apart, we eventually came back to agreement!... That's what I'm saying... IF someone's like "can you play (insert very questionalble song here) next?"... I look at them and say "I'll look for it..." with a look that tells them I practiced this set for three hours this afternoon and that song DOESN'T fit. So they def get the point. I promise you guys, this chick asked me to play "Hips Don't Lie" at like 1:15am last week which is WAAAAY past Top 40 time for me. She didn't drop any dough, so I didn't even consider playing that. My vibe and the dancefloor would've been wrecked. Call me tacky. F-it.

I agree with Bazerk... Artist XYZ MUST pay. Once again, your unknown song will throw my set and my vibe off.

I agree with you MusicMeister.... The odd thing is that the private parties (almost always in clubs) are the times when people tip/offer to tip the most. Maybe thats when people feel ballerific... I did I gig for Red Bull last week and they paid for EVERYONES drinks all night... Thousands and thousands of dollars. So I think people were like, "screw it.... since I don't have to pay for drinks, I guess I can tip the DJ." It's odd, but normally for a private party, I don't expect tips.

Don't get me wrong, there are exceptions but that's been my experience thus far!

Word.

Up.

THAT'S A NEGATIVE! I saw one earlier this summer!!! Check this!

Not only was it a "TIP JAR" it was an EMPTY WATER COOLER BOTTLE, which was all taped up around the sides so you COULDN'T see how much (if any) money was INSIDE!

Would you believe the TIP JAR was for the dude working the door, who doubled as security?

WTF? I ain't mad tho, but I didn't give shit.

DJ Limelight - I think that's the key word right there at the end 'expect'. Tips are great when I get them, not matter where or when I'm playing. But I wouldn't put out a jar advertising my desire to get them at your typical pay for play type event.

At the club I spin at, management put a tip jar for me. I kept removing it but people (mostly regulars) kept handing me money no matter what. I've told them that they don't have to tip me and they just insist. So, I just leave it there now otherwise I get distracted at times from people trying to actually put money in my hand. I figured, it makes them happy. I don't expect it and I could care less.

Plus, another thing, I don't want some moron thinking that I HAVE TO PLAY THEIR SONG cause they tipped me. lol

i shake people down 20 for a birthday shout / request

the jukebox is down the street, its much cheaper there if you really want to hear ACDC!!!

I made one out of a Fish Bowl at the Bar, it has a sticker that says DJ Tip Bowl right on it. We use it as a deterrent on "one of those nights". Mainly it holds ink pens and other misc junk.

You know when you get one of those chicks who is the designated requester and is there every 5 minutes or one that thinks she can program the night better than you.

While she is standing there I say "Gee you've had a lot of requests, LET ME WRITE THAT DOWN so I don't forget them all" and grab the bowl, shove it near her face with the TIP BOWL LABEL while I dig for a pen. The bitch usually gets the hint and the request slow down.

It only gets some money about 20% of the time but the piece of mind of not being bothered like that is priceless. If you are RUDE enough to suggest how to do my job minute by minute so that I am playing basically for YOU then you should pay extra.

Shit, put a label on the Tip Jar:

Tips Not Necessary, but Appreciated!

BUT

Requests 10.00!