tip jar etiquette

I was hired to face paint at a hockey game this Monday. The arena is paying me for two hours and it will be free of charge. I wonder if it is usually okay to put out a tip jar?

My opinion is... when in doubt, ask them!

I'm doing a free event this Spring, and I'm hoping to make it worth my while through a.) a tip jar, b.) LOTS of promotional materials and c.) taking loads of pictures.

I asked them if it would be okay for me to have a tip jar to allow for the opportunity to receive something small in compensation for my supply costs. They said sure.

Since you're getting paid for it, they may not be so flexible... but there's only one way to find out.

I was hired by the Mall in my area around Christmas time for two hours and they paid me my hourly rate. I brought my tip jar just in case, and it's good that I did...the organizer told me right before I was ready to start painting "Put out your tip jar woman!". So I think you should .

I would ask, if it is okay you will know and if it isn't you won't offend.

If you are being PAID your regular rate to paint the customer for free I wouldn't solicit tips. However, it doesn't hurt to ask, but I don't. If I gave them a discount then my terms are I am permitted to put out a tip jar to make up the difference.

I don't solicit tips, but I DO accept them!

If I'm being paid full rate, I don't... but when I was painting for hockey games here, we were giving them an extremely large discount (like half) so we definitely solicited tips.

I have only done a few gigs like this so far... where I was being paid to paint the customer for free.

The first time I never thought about having a tip jar but found that some people wanted to offer a tip (especially since it was free for them). It was an outdoor festival setting and I had a super long line and found it was uncomfortable for them to figure out where to put the money because I was really busy. Some people just left it on my table instead of giving it to me... or tried to put it in my water cup.

I have never put out a tip jar at ppf or parties but for some reason this scenario seems to warrant it. I suppose asking would be the best thing... but I also did not want to insult anyone since I am being paid my regular rate for two hours.

rosecanino wrote:Some people just left it on my table instead of giving it to me... or tried to put it in my water cup.

LOL! Love it when that happens... I also have a habit of trying to dip my brush in my coffee cup in the morning when I paint at festivals and have to be there early.

I would say ask if a tip jar would be okay to put out. If they say no, then don't put one out. BUT, just because you don't have a tip jar out does not mean you can't accept tips if the people offer them. Just put them in your pocket or somewhere out of site in your kit for counting later.

I had one dad drop toonies in my alcohol... it was a white plastic container and he thought it was a tip jar... At least I knew my tip was germ free.

Shannon Fennell wrote:I had one dad drop toonies in my alcohol... it was a white plastic container and he thought it was a tip jar... At least I knew my tip was germ free.

Yeah, I'd hate to be paid with dirty money!

ha ha ha too funny!

just hope they don't put bills in there!! LOL

I've came down on the price for a friend for her Tropical Sno biz only if I could put out a tip jar. She loved me so much for her biz that I ended up getting paid full price and had a jar full of tips, too

I also put a tip jar out for Relay For Life, but asked to make sure that was ok

I never put a tip jar out at a birthday party or corporate event, but have had several tips handed to me mostly by the parents of those stubborn kids that come back for more painting. You know, the kid that wants a flower on one hand and then a heart on the other, then a star on a foot and so on!

My thoughts:

Private party or event= no tip jar
Public event or festival= tip jar