Navigating Tip Out

It’s a question that gets asked in the locker room all of the time. “How much are you tipping out?” Too little can put you on their radar, and too much can feel unfair given the stigma we carry to perform our job duties. This isn’t a “one size fits” all situation. Every one is different and has their own unique financial situation. Not only that, but depending on your club and management, how much you tip can play a role in your success. When you’re coming up with your own system, there are some questions you need to ask yourself. 

How much does the club already take from you?

If they take 30% or more of your dances, an additional 20% tip out means you are only going home with half of your earnings. 

Does the staff work with you to help you earn more?

Whether its the host consistently upselling or management putting you onto big spenders, if they are helping you earn more then they should be taken care of. If they are doing the bare minimum, making your job more difficult or not doing their part to keep their dancers safe, tip accordingly. 

Are your earnings in alignment with your lifestyle?

If you are struggling to make ends meet or paying off a big expense such as school, a medical bill etc., it would be wise to hold on to your money.

Politics can play a big role in the club. Money talks and the club is no exception. Those who tip well tend to have a closer relationship to club staff than those who don’t. I’ve worked with hosts that are phenomenal at upselling and have relationships with big spending customers. Tipping them generously creates a dynamic where they put you on to them. If you excel at sales on your won, then a close relationship with the host may not be needed. It’s up to you to determine whether you prefer to keep more of your earnings and work more independently with your head down, or if it’s in your best interest to team up with your floor staff. 

Most clubs have a “suggested” tip-out ranging from 10%-20% and they will emphasize the importance of taking care of the staff, almost to the point of intimidation. While they may push for high tips outs, remember that this is your income and it is your decision as to how much you want to give out. Don’t let staff bully you into tipping them more than you can afford! If they confront you about needing to tip more, here are some boundary affirming responses you can use:

“I didn’t have the best night tonight but tomorrow is a new day!”

“Unfortunately I have a huge medical expense that I’m paying off and can’t afford to be as generous.”

“I brought in this customer on my own. When you put me on to someone good I will absolutely take care of you.”

When you are creating a system for yourself, you can choose between tipping based on a percentage of your earnings, or dedicate a certain amount to certain staff members. If you want to tip out based on the percentage you earn, make sure you have a staggered system to cover your bases. For example, if you want to tip 10%, consider tipping 5% on your bad nights, etc. For a more consistent method, allocating a dedicated amount to each staff member may be the way to go. i.e. $20 management, $10 to house mom, $10 DJ etc. You can adjust the percentage or amount however you’d like, the important thing is that it feels good to you! For a foolproof system, it’s always best to keep track of your earnings.