Tipping ushers at Broadway theaters?- Page 2

[kec]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 2:29pm

The programs in London cost about £3 - £5, and I've never seen anyone tip the ushers there.

[AudreyTwoTwo]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 3:38pm

I have never tipped any ushers, although there is one that I owuld have tipped had I known how much she was going to help my mom and I. It's not like I had any spare change lying around either, so...

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 9:11pm

if you get sro and tip the usher do u think you have a better chance of sitting?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 9:16pm

They shouldn't. And you should not tip the usher just so you can have a seat.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 9:22pm

When my friend and I had SRO at Spamalot, the thought of tipping never occurred to us. We were just polite and did as we were told, chatting briefly with our usher when she wasn't seating people. After a certain point in Act I, she came over and said we could go take any free seats we wanted. The trio next to us who she had to speak to repeatedly and who decided not even halfway through the first number that the people in the row in front of us definitely weren't coming and sat down ~ only to be removed from the seats not a minute later when the group came up from the bathrooms? They got to stand the whole show.

So no tip. Just be nice! :)

[emo_geek]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 9:24pm

When an usher has done something extra nice for me, I have tried to tip them and they have never excepted it assuring me it was there pleasure.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 9:31pm

They shouldn't. And you should not tip the usher just so you can have a seat.

That's right...it's called bribing. I can't imagine bribe-accepting ushers would get on the good side of management.

I think the only time you COULD (not necessarily should) try to tip them is when they seat you somewhere (going out of their way, etc...).

[StageFan2]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 9:33pm

I've never tipped an usher and to the best of my knowledge none of my friends have either. Now if they can sneak me backstage, well...

[alterego]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 10:19pm

Tipping an usher? - Ridiculous, that would be the final straw for me at that point I would throw my hands in the air and declare I would never attend the theatre again.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 10:24pm

"tipping ushers is ridiculous, their sole job is to show you to your seat, its not like they are doing anything out of the ordinary."

Well, neither to waiters, but we tip them. And tipping for a better seat location is called bribery, which is against the rules. While soliciting tips is against the rules at all theatres, it is not against the rules for ushers to accept tips. And if you don't think you should tp an usher, seat yourself, but don't complain when you sit in the wrong seat and someone comes who actually has tickets for those seats.

That said, it isn't common, but ushers do get tips. It's called courtesy. They have to endure the stupid of the stupid...people who, despite having detailed instructions as to which seats are theirs, still have no clue.

[stonewall2]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 10:41pm

NEVER in my life have I heard of tipping an usher, in any country!

[winston89]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 2:48am

I think that being nice is the key. When I was in SRO for Beauty it was just me and two other girls. The other girls weren't anywhere around when act two started. There was this nice usher round my age who saw me paceing round during act two. She got up to me and pointed out how there were two seats that were for the ushers to sit in in the back of the theatre during the show and that the other usher who was sitting there left. She said if I wanted to I could sit there so I did. I have always been nice to them. I clearly don't wish to cause them any trouble and with the way I act it is clear. Never once had I gotten on an usher's bad side and if they ask why I did/am doing something the reasons I give them are ones that they think are okay.

[LifeofTheParty2]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 2:59am

Tips are never expected, but a nice gesture in general (I always think it's weird when people tip me after bring back their assisted listening devices, but I still take it). Really, though, just be polite and treat the house staff like human beings. That will get you surprisingly far.

[singingbackup]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 11:57am

I have a tip for some ushers: KNOW YOUR JOB.

On many an occassion, I have given them my ticket to be shown to a seat (in a theater I was unfamiliar with) and the usher stared at it, then plodded up the aisle, looking at the ticket, then the aisle number, back to the ticket, then the aisle number again, etc...as if this was the first time THEY were at this particular theater. Isn't this their main function as an usher? How can they NOT know the aisle numbers or sections at all.

I never have tipped an usher at a regular theater (did it once in Vegas and got a cushy booth...felt like one of the Rat Pack) but now that I think of it, why not? Why do we tip the coat check person, if their job is simply to take our coats then give them back. Ushers job is to "ush" people to their seats, right?

[mrcacou]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 12:51pm

In my country unless it is a National Theatre we have to tip the ushers each time as they are not paid at all by the house but with the tips they get.

[WhitehallandMarks]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 2:50pm

"I have a tip for some ushers: KNOW YOUR JOB.

On many an occassion, I have given them my ticket to be shown to a seat (in a theater I was unfamiliar with) and the usher stared at it, then plodded up the aisle, looking at the ticket, then the aisle number, back to the ticket, then the aisle number again, etc...as if this was the first time THEY were at this particular theater. Isn't this their main function as an usher? How can they NOT know the aisle numbers or sections at all."

Sometimes it very well may be their first time at the theatre! There is a large network of "substitute ushers" - I always describe them as the "understudies for the regular ushers". If a regular staff member takes off, a sub is called in, and sometimes they will find themselves thrown into a house they have never worked.

Now, to be fair to both sides, I do think it's part of the sub's job to take a few minutes getting familiar with the section where they will be working! However, not every sub will do this.

Also, I know some ushers who have failing eyesight and won't wear glasses for whatever reason. That could explain the looking and studying, too!

[ken8631]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 2:54pm

I used to tip the usher a dollar once in awhile (thought they were all volunteers), but no longer do since I see nobody else doing it.

I understand they are paid on broadway, but not necessarily so off-broadway?

Ken

[algy]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 3:05pm

Some one mentioned London...

I've never tipped an usher in London, or in the provinces, nor has it ever occurred to me that I should. They get paid, and more often than not they just take your ticket stub and say "down there on the right"

[sondhead]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 3:11pm

""tipping ushers is ridiculous, their sole job is to show you to your seat, its not like they are doing anything out of the ordinary."

Well, neither to waiters, but we tip them."

Actually, we tip waiters so as to pay for their service. If they do poorly, we tip low or not at all. If they do really well, we tip them well (hopefully). Ushers take you to your seat. Other than being nice and personable, there's not a whole lot of room to do anything overly better or worse than others. If they're nice and get you to your seat kindly then great. That was half a minute out of their lives and that's not even worth a dollar when they're already being paid to take me to my seat, IMO. If they accept tips to move seats, that's wrong. It's bribery and pretty bad practice.

[ken8631]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 3:18pm

Are off-Broadway ushers paid?
Updated On: 5/14/07 at 03:18 PM

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 5:21pm

"are off-Broadway ushers paid?"

I think it depends on the particular theater for that. I know some off-Broadway theaters let you usher in exchange for seeing the show that night, but I've also seen ads on Playbill for off-Bway theatres seeking paid ushering staff.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 6:26pm

Hmmm... You know...I'll have to ask my parents who are ushers at the Tennessee Preforming Arts Center if they've ever gotten tipped. I honestly don't know.

At Studio 54 on Sunday anyway, the ushers had nametags that said "Volunteer Usher". The guy on my side of the mezz at least knew the seating arrangements. But everyone was having to remind him about Playbills. He had a good sense of humor about it though ~ "That's why my nametag says volunteer." Hee!! And most people were nice about it.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 6:47pm

Tipping an usher is reserved for rich old ladies who get special assistance to their seat. More than just, here's your Playbill now count 3 seats in when you get to the 5th row.

Updated On: 5/14/07 at 06:47 PM

[WhitehallandMarks]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 12:51am

Tipping an usher is reserved for rich old ladies who get special assistance to their seat. More than just, here's your Playbill now count 3 seats in when you get to the 5th row.

I have to respectfully disagree - I've been an usher for almost 5 years and that's actually the one demographic that has never tipped me. I usually notice tips come from either out-of-towners, from families, and/or people to whom I've been very helpful. And I'll state for the record that I am helpful to people because I like being so, not because I am expecting a tip in exchange.

I never knew ushers got tipped until I was one - the first time someone offered me money, I declined, thinking it was illegal to accept tips. I was told later that you are allowed to accept, but never solicit. (I don't know who would try to, but I'm just saying, it's a rule.) I got used to the idea that it does happen, and admittedly I am always delighted when it does. Hey, I'm only human, and I work 2 jobs in order to maintain some flexibility while pursuing my dreams. So, I have to admit that I am now grateful when someone tips me, because it can help me out sometimes.

One more thing I want to state for the record to the people mentioning that ushers don't actually walk you to your seats anymore: that is not something the ushers decide on their own. You are instructed by the Head Usher or Director (the other ushers' superiors) at each theatre on whether or not you are supposed to walk people or merely direct them. The general thought seems to be that because some houses are so large, actually walking each and every person to their seat would cause too much of a backup of people waiting to be seated (some people move more slowly than others, etc). I personally do prefer to walk people to their seats, because it feels more personable and it's also more interesting (you can hear some wonderful stories from people just walking them to seats!) but if I'm told I have to simply direct people, then of course I have to. I have never gotten a tip for just directing people to seats from one location, nor would I expect one.

And: you are never, ever, ever supposed to take money in exchange for "better seating" - that is totally grounds for termination!! I've had people try to "bribe" me but I always politely direct them to the management if they have displeasure about their seats.

That's all! It's funny to read usher threads, because sometimes I get frustrated when I see hate heaped on ushers (not everyone is a nasty grouch, and most of the younger ushers are struggling artists or students), but then again sometimes I think of some of the "gems" I've worked with (like a nameless usher who yelped at people going to the bathroom to "Make it quick!!!"...I think my jaw actually dropped). It can be a mixed bag. Likewise, some patrons can be truly nasty for no reason, but then some can be absolutely wonderful.

[Broadwaydannyc]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 2:21am

When I first started going to the theater, prices for the best seats in the house were 20 - 25 bucks. I also remember that the ushers were professional and back then it was common to tip the usher a few bucks.
On Friday and Saturday night performances many men wore tuxedos, and it was not uncommon to see most men in jackets and ties at all performances. Women were also as appropriately dressed. Jeans? Shorts? No way.

And I'm talking about the early 70's folks!