Last Saturday, I was doing a fancy house party on a very nice deck - catered food, butlered hors'derves (spelling??) - the works. So, you know they spent a bundle on this shindig.

First strange thing was - the hostess paid me before I played a note. She handed me a check and thanked me for coming 1/2 hour before the first sound. (unusual for me)

At the end of the party as I was packing up, she came up to me and handed me a folded up bill and said "This is for you" . I put it in my pocket without ever looking at it, and said my "Thank you's". I never looked in my pocket till the ride home ... It was a hundred dollar bill. (Fairly common in that circle of clientele)

My point here:
I try to never look at the tips I'm given - whether it's in a jar or in my hand. I think it's insulting to equate any amount to the gratitude for the gesture. Just wondering if anyone feels the same on this point.

Sometimes it's hard to NOT look, especially when people make a point to show you the money as they drop it in, or wave it around, or say "Here's a Twenty ... play *x* for me".
I don't really work for tips, but I sure do appreciate the big ones. Most private parties give me at least 10% more than the contract ... almost always.

Another thing I try to do whenever possible is to start 5 minutes early and play 5 minutes late. That small gesture of good faith goes a long way. I hate tardiness, so I try to show my clients that I value their time table as well.

Just a few more thoughts on how to make some money in this crazy world of show biz...