Tips Welcome...

As a humble video editor working for a small business, I find that accepting tips isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. I get up every morning and get to sit on my ass and plow through hours upon hours of everything from baby's first steps to borderline crappy student-crafted art school films.

The entertainment value alone is just about worth its weight in Cool Ranch Doritos.

I'd say that one of the greatest rewards in my chosen profession (apart from the satisfaction of a job well done) are the clients who choose to reward me with an unsolicited tip. I usually politely decline at the first offer, but rarely do I flatly say absolutely not to a second.

Some of my more interesting tips/tip offers:

1) Tacos. I love tacos for their relative cheapness, so that usually fills my requirement when I'm out of lunch money for the week. There's a decent taco place near work, so I've received a few gift cards and taco plates from my clients.

2) Marshmallows. I have no idea where the idea came from, but the person who bought this for me was under the impression that organic, flavourless marshmallows appeal to the average video editor. Still was a nice gesture, so I wasn't less than gracious for the offering. If it had been the dead of winter, I may have dunked them in my cocoa. Perhaps.

3) Beer. Rarely will I turn down free beer. One lady dropped off two twelve packs of Shiner Bock (local brew in Tejas) once, which made me Mr. Popular after work. Usually I get a twelve or sixer of various brands/flavours/etc. whenever someone beer tips me, so after I take my rightful share, I reward those who can best curry my favour during the workday.

Some days it can be like the Thunderdome here when there's free beer at stake.

Alright, I exaggerate a bit. Still is nice to share with others though, isn't it?

4) Cash. I love cash. Really, really, really love cash. Then I can buy tacos AND beer which makes me happy.

5) Tickets to a crappy movie fest intentionally showcasing crappy movies at the Drafthouse. Good for an evening of laughter.

6) Sexual Favours. Seriously, this offer did happen. I did a favour for a mid-twenty something gal who was really having a bad time. Her husband had been beating her and she was working on a divorce and escaping the arsehat with her daughter. She didn't have a lot of money and couldn't afford the rush charges, so I worked on her video transfer during lunch and put it at the head of the line so that she could have it in time for a court date.

She was so overcome with gratitude that she said that she could kiss me. I chuckled and told her that she didn't need to do that, though I appreciated the offer. "No, I'm being serious! I could literally and happily kiss you for this, that is if you'd like to!" She gently touched my arm, which kind of told me that yes, she was serious.

Well, I didn't think that'd be the honourable thing to do at all. First off, I had a girlfriend at the time and that would be a really dick move to be kissing others while attached to someone else. Also, had I not been with someone at the time, I still wouldn't have even considered it. The client had been through emotional, physical and psychological hell and I was not about to complicate that. Plus, kissing complete strangers without the courtesy of at least a first date? Not my bag, baby.

So, I sent her packing. Politely. With a simple, professional handshake and a friendly smile.

Good times.