Thread: Tipping verbiage in contractes leading to more tips?

A few months ago in regards to a client inquiry, I decided to add some verbiage to my contract regarding my personal comfort level with tipping procedures:

Gratuity/Tipping: Client tipping above and beyond the contracted performance fee is greatly appreciated, though not necessary.

If audience members would like to tip the performer personally, acceptable tipping methods are: a) a money shower (a Middle Eastern tradition where bills are tossed over the dancers head, b) placed in the belt/waist of the performer’s costume, or c) placed in the performer’s hand. Please note that money shower tips should be collected after the performance has ended and turned over to the performer.

Interestingly, it seems as if this addition has possibly put the idea of tipping into some client's minds. I mostly perform for GP private parties and tipping is a rare beast indeed - but since adding this clause to my contracts I've gotten tipped (usually by the client adding extra to the balance due) about twice as often as usual.

An other Bhuzzers have this sort of thing in their contract? And if so, do you think you get tipped as a result more often?

That's really interesting.

I wonder how that would work here, where tipping isn't even a custom?

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

That's really interesting.

I wonder how that would work here, where tipping isn't even a custom?

I've never seen a dancer tipped in Australia - do you think tipping may also be restricted by the size of our notes (starting at $5, rather than $1 as in the U.S.)? /hijack

Hmm, yeah very rarely.

At a Aus-Palestinian wedding I danced at once the brides grandma created a necklace out of folded notes and put it over the brides head when I was dancing with her...lol.

Don't ask me how she folded them considering all our notes are plastic...?

I have similar language in my contracts & I have noticed that parties now will either give a tip at the end or include it in their final bill or will have cash ready for money showers, et cetera. IMO I think tipping makes a party more fun for the guests & I've had several people thank me for including the note about tipping because they weren't sure what was considered "correct". I also always have a couple of $5s tucked in my belt when I perform as a not-so-subtle hint.

I have this in my contract (I got it from a fellow bhuzzer a while back, I can't remember who):

Daniela will not solicit tips from the guests, but if they choose to tip Daniela of their own accord, they may do so by throwing bills in the air above her head, respectfully placing them in her costume (Daniela will indicate an appropriate place, and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated), or handing them to her. Any and all tips given to Daniela are hers to keep, and are in addition to the $__ payment.

Honestly, I almost always get tipped, if not during the show then after by the host/ess. I've been getting tipped long before I inserted this clause, so I can't say that this had anything to do with it. I don't think it's had much of an effect either way.

if i am doing a islamic party, they sometimes will not let me leave the dance floor.in a case like that, we include a ball park figure in the pay to make up for lost tips.we have never had a problem.all know large parties are where we make bank. they are sorry about the custums, and tip even more in apology. some guests go to the dance floor when they get it that we are not jioning them dancing around the tables.
i had never thought of including a clause for all clients, i guess if someone did not know about tipping, a clause helps!

Originally Posted by laura 2

A few months ago in regards to a client inquiry, I decided to add some verbiage to my contract regarding my personal comfort level with tipping procedures:

Gratuity/Tipping: Client tipping above and beyond the contracted performance fee is greatly appreciated, though not necessary.

If audience members would like to tip the performer personally, acceptable tipping methods are: a) a money shower (a Middle Eastern tradition where bills are tossed over the dancers head, b) placed in the belt/waist of the performer’s costume, or c) placed in the performer’s hand. Please note that money shower tips should be collected after the performance has ended and turned over to the performer.

Interestingly, it seems as if this addition has possibly put the idea of tipping into some client's minds. I mostly perform for GP private parties and tipping is a rare beast indeed - but since adding this clause to my contracts I've gotten tipped (usually by the client adding extra to the balance due) about twice as often as usual.

An other Bhuzzers have this sort of thing in their contract? And if so, do you think you get tipped as a result more often?

Hey gals!

Love the idea of adding this in... May I borrow some of your language for my contract?

*hugs*

This is a good idea!

Originally Posted by BernieV

Hey gals!

Love the idea of adding this in... May I borrow some of your language for my contract?

*hugs*

Be my guest!

the agency I work for always mentions tipping when they book the dancers. but some bookers are better at getting the point across than others. ;) at the restaurants I work at, there is usually at least one person who knows how to get the tipping going. BUT there is one place I dance where the clientele is pretty clueless. for that place, I want to make a little info flyer to put on the tables the nights that we dance.

I don't use contracts, but if I did, I would only include positive language, and phrase it in a way that would make a client think, wow, how could we NOT tip her? it sounds like fun! I would not say "above and beyond" because that reminds people that they're paying you more. I wouldn't mention inappropriate behavior in the tipping clause, because I wouldn't even want the idea that inappropriate tipping exists enters the client's mind (rather, I'd have that in a separate "fine print" clause at the end of the contract. something along the lines of the dancer has the right to end the performance or expect the client to step in should bad behavior occur).

make the point that tipping, while not required, is FUN! interaction! audience involvement! group participation! eternal love and gratitude from the dancer! what's not to love? ;)

Originally Posted by laura 2

Be my guest!

Thanks! ..g.:

This is the verbage I have on my website. . .

- Is tipping allowed?

Yes, it is allowed. There are actually several ways to tip belly dancers. The preferred method is gently tossing bills over the dancer's head (sometimes called a money shower), instead of placing them in the costume. This way, the performance is not interrupted, and the dancer doesn't risk getting food/drink on her expensive costume. Other methods include a money basket and on body tipping. If on-body tipping is done, please restrict placement to those areas which the dancer indicates.

It would seem to me that if you are dancing at an event/party for people who are not your ordinary BD crowd, putting something in the contract about tipping would let them know that it is customary and okay. The first time I saw a live bellydancer when I saw a group of young guys stuffing money in her belt all I could think was "she is not a stripper you ass!" I had no idea that this was okay and now feel bad that I never tipped. It gives them the okay with out actually saying "tip me!"

I have an FAQ page on my site.
Samira Shuruk Belly Dance Audience FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
This is on it:
Q Can I tip or is that rude?
A Tipping is both culturally appropriate and a beautiful way to show
appreciation for the dancer's art. Just follow the dancers lead on how to keep it
family friendly.

Originally Posted by Nat242

I've never seen a dancer tipped in Australia - do you think tipping may also be restricted by the size of our notes (starting at $5, rather than $1 as in the U.S.)? /hijack

In Canada our bills start at $5 and up and that doesn't stop people from tipping. I've performed in 3 provinces (both Alberta, Quebec and Ontario) and received tips in $5, $10 and $20 bills. It's funny when the American tourists make a big show of tipping you a $1 American like it's a big amount. Depending on the economy, I think "wow, thanks for the $1.20 or the $0.80!" It's cute and I appreciate the gesture, of course, it's just similar to tipping the waitress 10 cents on a $10 bill of food!

Could it be that Australian dancers don't get tips because tipping in general isn't really part of the culture (like tipping waitresses, taxi drivers, hair dressers, etc)?

Originally Posted by Nat242

I've never seen a dancer tipped in Australia - do you think tipping may also be restricted by the size of our notes (starting at $5, rather than $1 as in the U.S.)? /hijack

Ditto on Hala Jamal's thoughts. Here in the US rarely am I tipped a single $1 bill. Sometimes its 3-5 $1s. Usually it's $5, $10, $20 bills or sometimes larger denominations. I'd guess it's more the lack of tipping culture in Oz.

Originally Posted by laura 2

A few months ago in regards to a client inquiry, I decided to add some verbiage to my contract regarding my personal comfort level with tipping procedures:

Gratuity/Tipping: Client tipping above and beyond the contracted performance fee is greatly appreciated, though not necessary.

If audience members would like to tip the performer personally, acceptable tipping methods are: a) a money shower (a Middle Eastern tradition where bills are tossed over the dancers head, b) placed in the belt/waist of the performer’s costume, or c) placed in the performer’s hand. Please note that money shower tips should be collected after the performance has ended and turned over to the performer.

Interestingly, it seems as if this addition has possibly put the idea of tipping into some client's minds. I mostly perform for GP private parties and tipping is a rare beast indeed - but since adding this clause to my contracts I've gotten tipped (usually by the client adding extra to the balance due) about twice as often as usual.

An other Bhuzzers have this sort of thing in their contract? And if so, do you think you get tipped as a result more often?

I put it in my contracts, yes. And yes, i do think it results in more tips (because it plants the idea, as you mentioned).

I have....

j) Tips are accepted and welcomed by the performer(s). All tips collected by the performer(s) belong to the performer(s) and are not deducted from the final fee.

Because some people think that tipping is not extra...

I may add the "money shower" clause in my contract. Good idea ;-)

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Ditto on Hala Jamal's thoughts. Here in the US rarely am I tipped a single $1 bill. Sometimes its 3-5 $1s. Usually it's $5, $10, $20 bills or sometimes larger denominations. I'd guess it's more the lack of tipping culture in Oz.

Wow, I'm jealous. The majority of my tips are $1's! And when I tip, I always tip in $1's! Now i feel bad! .w.:

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

Wow, I'm jealous. The majority of my tips are $1's! And when I tip, I always tip in $1's! Now i feel bad! .w.:

Don't. That is the norm around here at least everywhere I have been. Yes, multiple one's happen but I usually get $1 and give a buck. If I had more.....but that is another story. I don't think it can be compared with waitressing cause for the audience, there is no total that there is a percentage of other wise we would get nada.

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

Because some people think that tipping is not extra...

That's why I use the phrase "above and beyond" in my client contract. I remember reading here on Bhuz about someone whose client gave part of the fee to guests to give out as tips, and then deducted it from the amount due! .w.:

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Don't. That is the norm around here at least everywhere I have been. Yes, multiple one's happen but I usually get $1 and give a buck. If I had more.....but that is another story. I don't think it can be compared with waitressing cause for the audience, there is no total that there is a percentage of other wise we would get nada.

I rarely get anything but ones either. I did a Turkish-American wedding last year, and when the groom's mom tipped me a $20, I almost stopped dancing from the shock! ..l;,

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

This is the verbage I have on my website. . .

- Is tipping allowed? /cut for courtesy....

Yes, it is allowed. /cut end
Other methods include a money basket and on body tipping. If on-body tipping is done, please restrict placement to those areas which the dancer indicates.

Yikes.. I'd be hesitant to say on body tipping here. I've always used the term " in costume tipping" since some folks tend to confuse body tipping with body shots, ,r:;

and laura 2.. I actually once had a restaurant manager try to tell me that my tips came out of my pay for the same reason! Ha! First and Last gig there.

Originally Posted by Nat242

I've never seen a dancer tipped in Australia - do you think tipping may also be restricted by the size of our notes (starting at $5, rather than $1 as in the U.S.)? /hijack

With the ecomony being what it is...a little. But, if people see other people tipping, or have information that it is often part of what you do as an udience member, sometimes the amount doesn't matter. Japan isn't a tipping country. Period. And our smallest bills, 1,000 yen, are about (currently) 10 USD...but if someone in the audience seed-tips the dancer it usually sets off a tipping reaction here...I am sure if we had flyers at teh table or verbage in our contracts (heck, contracts at all, Japan is big in oral aggrements) I think it would increase the tips despite the bill size.

I've recently added a line like this to my contract/confirmation form. The language in mine is most similar to Daniela's--I wanted to be very clear that I won't solicit or expect tips, but let people know that it is ok. I go through the details of the contract or confirmation form and edit as appropriate for each new client, and there are situations in which I would not include mention of tipping at all. However, I too have found that many American clients simply don't know or have questions about what may or may not be appropriate. This hopefully helps clear that up.

It's too soon for me to say whether this actually affects the amount of tipping.

I rarely get tipped while dancing but most often by the person who hired me after I dance. I like this though! (Farmers are the BEST tippers ever! I've danced at very large fancey parties and left with no tip, not that they need to at all don't get me wrong! I drive out to do a simple belly gram for a farmer and get great tips and most often a thank you note from the wife! Go figure.)