To tip or not to tip?

This week with TMOO, I discovered another position in the service industry that is not at every restaurant. I am talking about hired entertainers. Some of these entertainers can be singers, violin players, maybe the occasional balloon animal guy, and whoever else may cater to the establishment. (No pun intended..) The reason why I wanted to acknowledge these people is because not everyone knows to tip them. Not only that, but not everyone does tip them after they provide their service.

I ventured out to San Francisco's Mission area to a great place called Puerto Alegre. I had been here once before with some friends because their margaritas are off the hook good. So is the guac......MOVING ON. While I was there a couple of mariachia singers were walking around and singing to the tables. This went on for a few minutes and everyone stopped to watch them play. They were very good needless to say. After they were done, they walked around with a bag to every table saying "Tip? Tip?". I wasn't sure how to take this. Is it rude for them to so bluntly walk up to a table and put someone on the spot for money? I mean, we didn't order mariachi singers with our tacos so why should we have to tip them right?

I get it. They provided a service but the service was not requested. However working in an industry where you live off tips, I understand the struggle. So I coughed up 5 bucks and put it on the table. They said thank you and then I was stuck with them at my table singing for the next 5 minutes. It was fun. We had a good laugh. Thank god there were margaritas.

Below is our famous mariachi singers. Bless their hearts...

Mariachi @ Puerto Alegre SF


I would love to hear other people's thoughts and opinions on this matter. Please feel free to let TMOO know!