Tipping the KJ

A Controversial Subject For Some

Should the KJ get a tip? Does he/she make a good wage? Is it
considered rude to tip?
There are no easy answers about this because every KJ is different.

I figure if the KJ has a tip jar out then I should tip. Otherwise
they probably don't want it. But some KJ's have told me that they
think the tip jar is tacky. They will take tips, but they won't let
you know in any way. This came as a big shock to me. Some KJ's will
not take tips at all. They get paid well and don't think they should
get tips. So basically, if you really like your KJ and want him/her
to know they did a great job, you can try to slip them some money and
see if they accept it. It's best to wait until the end of the night
or after you are done singing, according to some KJ's I have talked
to. That way they know you are just thanking them and not expecting
any favors.

George, a singer in New Hampshire, feels that asking for money means
the KJ is trying to take advantage of the singers in some way. In
his experience, KJ's are paid good money by the clubs, so "tipping is
just a way for the KJ to put himself in the limelight if the tip may
include a request on sound or lighting requirements for that singer,
that may be appropriate".

Why do you tip a waitress/waiter or bartender? Because you think you
will get better service, or you want to reward them for good service.
With KJ's, it's the same thing. But would you expect your bartender
to give you free drinks or serve you ahead of others in a line? No,
of course not (not unless you're a real jerk). Yet many singers tip
the KJ thinking that they can boss him/her around or expect special
treatment. So that's why some KJ's don't accept tips, because they
don't want people to think they are going to get special treatment.
They have to be fair to all of the customers. Also, the tips can be
ripped off by other people, so that's why some KJ's don't like tip
jars. Sad but true!

Some people prefer to buy the KJ a drink (non-alcoholic is fine if
they are not drinkers) instead of tipping, which is also appreciated.
In Europe, you don't even tip bartenders, let alone KJ's; it's
considered rude. Instead, you buy them a drink.

Geni "Crossfire" Wallace can see both sides. She thinks that tipping
for a job well done is wonderful. "On the other hand", she adds, "if
you are tipping the host to 'take cuts', I think that is deplorable,
shame on anyone who attempts it, because you are putting pressure on
the host, who has to deal with enough of that as it is. And shame on
any host that would take a bribe to put one person ahead of others
who are waiting patiently for their turn."

So a good rule is, if you want to tip the KJ, go ahead and give it a
try. Slip him/her a buck or two before each song, or wait until the
end of the night and hand him/her a five with your heartfelt thanks.
If the person refuses it, then you will know next time that you don't
need to tip. If you don't want to tip, ask if you can buy him/her a
drink instead, out of appreciation for the good work. You probably
should make it clear that you are just showing your thanks and not
flirting.

Sometimes it's hard to hear or talk in a loud bar, so you can always
write it down on a napkin if you don't think the KJ can understand
you! Sometimes a KJ will have a tip jar with a note to let you know
that tipping is appreciated, but don't expect to get in the song
queue ahead of others.

If you go to a particular bar regularly, you might want to bring a
gift to the KJ instead. Most people would appreciate a hand-crafted
gift or home-made treats. Or maybe you can give him/her a tip in a
nice envelope with a hand-written note and say, "This contribution is
in appreciation for all you do. Please put it toward your
maintenance costs, such as next time you have to buy a new microphone
or new songs!" Many KJ's do make decent money at their jobs, so they
might still turn it down.

Another good favor would be to write a letter to the bar-owner to let
him/her know just how much you appreciate karaoke and what a great
job the KJ does. Get your friends to do the same! Remember we can't
have karaoke without the KJ, so he/she is as important as the
singers. We want to keep them happy and employed.

info: johnny@sandiegoscene.com
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