Hey guys,
I haven't really seen a thread that was devoted to getting tips. If you work in a restaurant venue like I do, then you understand that tips are very important. I was wondering how most of you go about letting people know that you accept tips? I think just saying, "I accept tips", is kind of awkward. Nobody wants to look like a begger. So, I was wondering if anyone had any routines that incorporated bringing tips into the equation. This is a routine that I worked out that has always worked for me.
You walk up to a table and perform a few things. Eventually you go into this routine...
Performer - "When I do stage shows, I generally like to do what's called "betting the check". It basically means the performer would put up the money he'd be making from the show in some sort of challenge. Since I don't get a check here I figure I'll try something a little smaller. In my right pocket, I have all the tips that I've made from performing here tonight. If you can guess how much is in there, you can have it. If you don't guess it, then nothing will be taken away from you. I'm going to just write something down really quick before we start."
The performer now scribbles something down onto a business card. You now have the spectator guess. Lets say they go with "$94". You now reach into your pocket and remove your tips. You count it up and show that you actually have $110. So, they lose. But, you remind them that you wrote something down before they had said anything. They turn the business card over and it says..."You'll think I have 94 dollars."
Now, one good thing about this is the fact that it lets them know you accept tips. Another is that it allows you to REMOVE the tips and show them to the spectators. It's a good thing to have a few 20's and a few 10's in there. This way people will see that others have given you 20's and 10's and will hopefully follow suit. And ANOTHER thing is that the effect is EXTREMELY powerful, and all you need to perform it is a nail writer. If you don't know what a nail writer is, look it up and buy it because it is definitely worth it.
Also, on the off chance that a spectator guesses correctly, you could give them the tips, because that is damn impressive. Or, you could do what I do, and have a five dollar bill in your other pocket which you can palm into the tip pocket if you need to. (Which is why it's always good to know how much you have.)
Well, that's my routine. I'd love to hear others.
Matt Mello
I haven't really seen a thread that was devoted to getting tips. If you work in a restaurant venue like I do, then you understand that tips are very important. I was wondering how most of you go about letting people know that you accept tips? I think just saying, "I accept tips", is kind of awkward. Nobody wants to look like a begger. So, I was wondering if anyone had any routines that incorporated bringing tips into the equation. This is a routine that I worked out that has always worked for me.
You walk up to a table and perform a few things. Eventually you go into this routine...
Performer - "When I do stage shows, I generally like to do what's called "betting the check". It basically means the performer would put up the money he'd be making from the show in some sort of challenge. Since I don't get a check here I figure I'll try something a little smaller. In my right pocket, I have all the tips that I've made from performing here tonight. If you can guess how much is in there, you can have it. If you don't guess it, then nothing will be taken away from you. I'm going to just write something down really quick before we start."
The performer now scribbles something down onto a business card. You now have the spectator guess. Lets say they go with "$94". You now reach into your pocket and remove your tips. You count it up and show that you actually have $110. So, they lose. But, you remind them that you wrote something down before they had said anything. They turn the business card over and it says..."You'll think I have 94 dollars."
Now, one good thing about this is the fact that it lets them know you accept tips. Another is that it allows you to REMOVE the tips and show them to the spectators. It's a good thing to have a few 20's and a few 10's in there. This way people will see that others have given you 20's and 10's and will hopefully follow suit. And ANOTHER thing is that the effect is EXTREMELY powerful, and all you need to perform it is a nail writer. If you don't know what a nail writer is, look it up and buy it because it is definitely worth it.
Also, on the off chance that a spectator guesses correctly, you could give them the tips, because that is damn impressive. Or, you could do what I do, and have a five dollar bill in your other pocket which you can palm into the tip pocket if you need to. (Which is why it's always good to know how much you have.)
Well, that's my routine. I'd love to hear others.
Matt Mello