Taking Tips...
Taking Tips...
So today I was shredding during my lunch break in the mall I work at, and I started to get a crowd of little kids and parents watching. I was kicking hardcore (20+ contacts with lots of spinning/ducking cuz crowds love it), and then the mall security came and told me to stop. Afterward, when I was in the back, the kids came and gave me like $6 and said "thanks for the show". I didn't take it, and told them to keep it, but they insisted and left it by the door. Also, about a month ago, a random guy at Pioneer square gave me and my shredder friend $20 for "being amazing athletes" or something like that. I was just wondering if that's common, and what I should do... I kinda feel bad taking people's money becuase they got to see me shred, I just like to put on a show, it's not so I can get tip money.
Nick Landes
Proudly Representing Fourkast Footbag Co.
http://www.fourkast.com
Portland Blog
All the ladies love Matt Cross because Johnny Depp + Footbag = Matt Cross
Mastery is the combination of knowledge and practical experience
Proudly Representing Fourkast Footbag Co.
http://www.fourkast.com
Portland Blog
All the ladies love Matt Cross because Johnny Depp + Footbag = Matt Cross
Mastery is the combination of knowledge and practical experience
Troy Erstling 
I would take the money... If someone offers you cash any you don't have a tip jar our/aren't busking I would imagine they genuinely think what you're doing is awesome and want to show their appreciation of what you're doing. I dunno I think it's hard to feel bad about 'taking their money' per se since they're really just trying to extend their gratitude. If they didn't want you take it why would they offer it? At any rate, prizzops for being a visually impressive shredder (and you are!).
I agree. I'm a pretty humble person and would like to put up a good show - not for the sake of money but to spread my passion for footbag.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87
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Not-so-ripped Warrior
- Fearless
- Posts: 566
- Joined: 30 Mar 2005 19:02
If someone goes to give you money and you refuse politely, then it seems like they still insist on giving it to you EVERY time. So for those who said they would just take the money, I suggest politely refusing it once. You'll still end up getting the money and you'll seem like a class act. 
-Eric Siegel: The man, the myth, the legend
Words of Wisdom from Rockey:
"hittin' ripped warrior bsos: that's a paddlin';
hittin' stepping diving whirl: that's a paddlin;
hittin' montage: you better believe that's a paddlin'"
Words of Wisdom from Rockey:
"hittin' ripped warrior bsos: that's a paddlin';
hittin' stepping diving whirl: that's a paddlin;
hittin' montage: you better believe that's a paddlin'"
In my home town EDmonton we have this festival called "street performers".
Well... 2 summers ago my cousin and I decided to play a little at the event to promote footbag. Not busking or anything, just off to the side on one of the closed off roads. I started shredding all dramatic-like (tiltless) and a crowd started forming around us. Everything seemed to be peachy... until one of the kids, urged by their mom, walked over to my bag, flipped over my hat and put a loonie in... despite my polite objections. The security was on us almost immediately. They must have been watching us. We explained to them what happened, but they said it didn't matter. We were being entertaining and stealing attention from the paying performers... We were asked to leave.
We decided to try our luck again last summer and ended up with slightly better luck. It was super sunny. Lots of exposure to the public. Generally, people would sort of watch as they walked by to one of the actual shows. We were sure not to have any thing even remotely resembling a container about us. And then out of nowhere it started raining. The paying performers seemed to disappear into thin air... and for a moment there were about 500 spectators packed into the square just standing around. Then simulataneously they all turned around and started watching us. It was amazing. I hit blurry whirl for the 3rd time ever to end a 20 contact run. After a while the moment wore off and the crowd started to disperse. Some people came up to us and told us we should put a hat out. All the while Kevin and I are politely explaining that "we just play for fun". One group of people was actually so adamant about paying us that they opened up Kevin's bag and slipped in $10 in coins. I think that's equivalent to reverse stealing. Luckily, security was nowhere to be found. I've heard they hate water. Kevin and I used the loot to acquire some snow cone and we lived happily ever-after. woop!
In conclusion, use a bit of discretion if you think you're being watched by security or the fuzz. You can actually get fined a hefty amount for busking without a license. Elsewise take the money and buy some snowcones.
Well... 2 summers ago my cousin and I decided to play a little at the event to promote footbag. Not busking or anything, just off to the side on one of the closed off roads. I started shredding all dramatic-like (tiltless) and a crowd started forming around us. Everything seemed to be peachy... until one of the kids, urged by their mom, walked over to my bag, flipped over my hat and put a loonie in... despite my polite objections. The security was on us almost immediately. They must have been watching us. We explained to them what happened, but they said it didn't matter. We were being entertaining and stealing attention from the paying performers... We were asked to leave.
We decided to try our luck again last summer and ended up with slightly better luck. It was super sunny. Lots of exposure to the public. Generally, people would sort of watch as they walked by to one of the actual shows. We were sure not to have any thing even remotely resembling a container about us. And then out of nowhere it started raining. The paying performers seemed to disappear into thin air... and for a moment there were about 500 spectators packed into the square just standing around. Then simulataneously they all turned around and started watching us. It was amazing. I hit blurry whirl for the 3rd time ever to end a 20 contact run. After a while the moment wore off and the crowd started to disperse. Some people came up to us and told us we should put a hat out. All the while Kevin and I are politely explaining that "we just play for fun". One group of people was actually so adamant about paying us that they opened up Kevin's bag and slipped in $10 in coins. I think that's equivalent to reverse stealing. Luckily, security was nowhere to be found. I've heard they hate water. Kevin and I used the loot to acquire some snow cone and we lived happily ever-after. woop!
In conclusion, use a bit of discretion if you think you're being watched by security or the fuzz. You can actually get fined a hefty amount for busking without a license. Elsewise take the money and buy some snowcones.
Rory "Tophat" Dawson
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"You can ask a stranger, my legs is fast and danger!"
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"You can ask a stranger, my legs is fast and danger!"
This happens to me a lot. I tend to tell the person: "Thanks but I'm not busking - I just enjoy playing" and if they insist I tend to take the money - mainly because it seems rude to refuse. Occasionally people throw coins at my feet and I never take this money - usually I kick it or throw it out of the way and glare at the person in question.
There was a particular time a few months ago where a guy came up and heckled me briefly before seeing what I was doing and I responded with hitting one of the best runs of my life - to which he responded by offering me $20 and I rather rudely told him to keep his money. I guess I don't like taking money off people unless I feel like they respect me.
If you're playing near street performers I think it's always nice to go and talk to them first - especially if they were there first as usually these people make their living performing and it's more important to their lives to draw a big crowd than it is to yours. I also think it's good to have a good relationship with street performers as they often use the same types of areas that you use and I get a large amount of my demonstrations and paid performances from contacts I've made from street performers.
There was a particular time a few months ago where a guy came up and heckled me briefly before seeing what I was doing and I responded with hitting one of the best runs of my life - to which he responded by offering me $20 and I rather rudely told him to keep his money. I guess I don't like taking money off people unless I feel like they respect me.
If you're playing near street performers I think it's always nice to go and talk to them first - especially if they were there first as usually these people make their living performing and it's more important to their lives to draw a big crowd than it is to yours. I also think it's good to have a good relationship with street performers as they often use the same types of areas that you use and I get a large amount of my demonstrations and paid performances from contacts I've made from street performers.
I've taken 20 (euro) cents once. 
Like many have already said, I first refused saying that "I don't play for money" [hell yeah I would if it was possible!], but the little kid insisted so I took it.
If he would've taken me any more than 2 euros I would've said "No, but you could spare it and buy yourself a footbag too".
Like many have already said, I first refused saying that "I don't play for money" [hell yeah I would if it was possible!], but the little kid insisted so I took it.
If he would've taken me any more than 2 euros I would've said "No, but you could spare it and buy yourself a footbag too".
Lauri Jaakkola
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busted
- Shredaholic
- Posts: 121
- Joined: 06 Apr 2005 18:54
- Location: Graz, Austria (normally NYC)
- Contact:
(I've never been offered tips)
As counterintuitive as it sounds, I think it's really important to take money from kids whenever they offer it. I think it teaches them to be social (offering money to a complete stranger adult (or older teenager) in a public space is quite a social risk that should be rewarded by a positive exchange and meeting their expectations. Additionally, I believe it teaches children to be generous. Almost always, the money belongs to the parents anyways, so you arn't stealing from the piggybank. In fact, many parents constantly give their kids money in church so they can put it in the collection pot, and thus learn the act of "giving" (literally giving, if not the spirit of giving).
Even when an adult offers tips without being solicited, if you reject the money you reject that person's emotional perpective, which, IMHO, is worse than taking money from someone (not that I personally have a beef with taking it.
).
Related, but a little different... we were shredding/performing for a kids fair on the South Street Sea Port in NYC, and I was shredding with my normal shred buddies (who are MUCH better than me.) Anyways, some 9 year old busts out with "if I could ever do that, I would do it like him", and then he pointed to me. I was very pleased and of course, proceeded to rub it in the noses of my better shred buddies.
I guess my point is that I think kids can be incredibly generous and it should always be encouraged.
Regards,
-David
As counterintuitive as it sounds, I think it's really important to take money from kids whenever they offer it. I think it teaches them to be social (offering money to a complete stranger adult (or older teenager) in a public space is quite a social risk that should be rewarded by a positive exchange and meeting their expectations. Additionally, I believe it teaches children to be generous. Almost always, the money belongs to the parents anyways, so you arn't stealing from the piggybank. In fact, many parents constantly give their kids money in church so they can put it in the collection pot, and thus learn the act of "giving" (literally giving, if not the spirit of giving).
Even when an adult offers tips without being solicited, if you reject the money you reject that person's emotional perpective, which, IMHO, is worse than taking money from someone (not that I personally have a beef with taking it.
).Related, but a little different... we were shredding/performing for a kids fair on the South Street Sea Port in NYC, and I was shredding with my normal shred buddies (who are MUCH better than me.) Anyways, some 9 year old busts out with "if I could ever do that, I would do it like him", and then he pointed to me. I was very pleased and of course, proceeded to rub it in the noses of my better shred buddies.
I guess my point is that I think kids can be incredibly generous and it should always be encouraged.
Regards,
-David
David Sussillo
When the pain starts that's when you really notice the addiction.
David and Robin's Time in Austria
My footblog... a bootflog
Challenge me
When the pain starts that's when you really notice the addiction.
David and Robin's Time in Austria
My footblog... a bootflog
Challenge me
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shreddaily
- Flower Child
- Posts: 1665
- Joined: 03 Sep 2003 16:56
hey man, if you're shredding hard, and someone wants to give you some cash, I say let 'em! If you earn it, you should burn it!! take that cash and PARTY!!! woooo!
haha, I've made some decent money busking with footbag, and it's been a long time since I've done it, too! I could probably make a lot more these days, just because I can do it longer with more control. Busking rules!
It helps to have a small group of drunk frat boys screaming and cheering and drinking and extorting money out of passersby... They work like a charm.
haha, I've made some decent money busking with footbag, and it's been a long time since I've done it, too! I could probably make a lot more these days, just because I can do it longer with more control. Busking rules!
It helps to have a small group of drunk frat boys screaming and cheering and drinking and extorting money out of passersby... They work like a charm.
BRICK!
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
rfa::never give up::
nyfa
The cases that Jeremy brought up are ones that would be exceptions to me, too, but still -- I have a hard time feeling like I should refuse a kid giving me money for something they're obviously impressed by. Read Busted's post as to why... 
Busking rules, though. I have a couple interesting busking stories somewhere in my blog involving the Pharcyde and some random hippie kid. Hopefully once the weather gets better many more will be added.
Busking rules, though. I have a couple interesting busking stories somewhere in my blog involving the Pharcyde and some random hippie kid. Hopefully once the weather gets better many more will be added.
Personally I think using footbag to busk is a great idea.
Ok you get money from it, that is a bonus, but the main purpose for me would be the public attention.
Most people think, sure you get public attention, but you can get that by just shreding in public, which I don't think is entirely true.
If you put a hat out and actually busk in a populated place, people will think your there to entertain them, becase you are. A crowd will form and people will begin coming to see you play, which they wouldent if you were shreding, and actually having the balls to stay and watch (because everyone else is) which they wouldent if you were just shreding.
In reguard to the actual topic, I did a demo for a lady at teachers college recently and she wanted to pay me for it, I said she didn't have to but she did anyway.
Ok you get money from it, that is a bonus, but the main purpose for me would be the public attention.
Most people think, sure you get public attention, but you can get that by just shreding in public, which I don't think is entirely true.
If you put a hat out and actually busk in a populated place, people will think your there to entertain them, becase you are. A crowd will form and people will begin coming to see you play, which they wouldent if you were shreding, and actually having the balls to stay and watch (because everyone else is) which they wouldent if you were just shreding.
In reguard to the actual topic, I did a demo for a lady at teachers college recently and she wanted to pay me for it, I said she didn't have to but she did anyway
.
I also feel you should TAKE THAT MONEY!! 
I have done it a bunch in Michigan with Gfsmoothie. I feel there is nothing wrong with it.
Even here in Japan, I made a box with a sign that somewhat translates to "I do this just for fun, but i wont refuse..." Ive made over 100 dollars, gotten to meet a lot of interesting people, I've even gotten cakes, bread and ice cream too
Keep it up!
TJ
I have done it a bunch in Michigan with Gfsmoothie. I feel there is nothing wrong with it.
Even here in Japan, I made a box with a sign that somewhat translates to "I do this just for fun, but i wont refuse..." Ive made over 100 dollars, gotten to meet a lot of interesting people, I've even gotten cakes, bread and ice cream too
Keep it up!
TJ