Tipping- Not Just For Cows

I fear that my fair city has been overcome by a plague of cheap and clueless thrill-seekers.  My heart hangs heavy at the end of every tour when my brave guests thank me for the excellent time, bid me good night and offer NO TIP.  I've said it before and I'll say it again- tipping is never required but always appreciated, just like it's appreciated when you tip your server who has given you an evening of excellent service.

My evening started out great.  I created a new look for my outing which I call "The Hot Mess". (see below)

So, Hot Mess was ready to hit the streets with a stitched face and hair teased within an inch of its life.  This is all done for pure fun.  The tour went great, my group was engaged in the stories and laughed at my silly, impromptu jokes.  We had fun together!  I especially love it when my guests confide in me that "this is the best tour they've ever been on", or, "I went on this other tour in -insert name of town- and compared to you, she sucked!".  I'll be honest, the childish side of me revels in hearing stuff like that!

The tour ends and my guests thank me for a wonderful evening.  Then they disappear into the darkness, leaving me speechless and empty-handed.

Here's what really adds a nasty and vicious sting to this ordeal- not only did the see my pin which is very visible and clearly states, "Tips Make Tour Guides Happy", they commented on how clever it was.  They saw my pin, made mention of it and didn't show enough class to offer me at least a dollar.  I sing for my supper; a dollar is not an insult because that means I have one dollar more than before.  Basically, not tipping your tour guide, server or hair dresser who has given you excellent service is a flip off.  It's rude, it's tacky and it leaves a person feeling unappreciated for their hard work.

To sum up, the evening has left me sad, deflated and just plain crazy. (see below)

As you can clearly see, this is not a pretty sight to behold.  Maybe if someone gives me a dollar my eyes will uncross.

Pissing and moaning aside, I love what I do.  I love having fun with make-up, meeting new people and sharing weird and wonderful stories with them.  It's just nice to be appreciated for what I do.  

Until next time,

~Story Siren

Drumming up some ghosts!

Good evening to all....

My hair is a matted rat's nest, my face is caked with sweat-streaked character make-up, my throat is parched like an endless desert....and I couldn't be happier.
Tonight was a Ghost Tour night!  I had an intimate but brave and spirited party, all ready to brave the Florida humidity to explore haunted theatres, parks and forgotten graveyards.  We even did a little ghost hunting; you never know when an orb may pop up in a picture! 
Tonight's character look was a car crash victim: ponytail ripped apart, haggard and lifeless skin, bloody split lips and huge bruises on my cheek bone and collar bone.  So ghastly!  

 

Dead but still looking good!

My tour guests usually have one of two reactions when they meet me and take in my varied apparance-

1- "Oh, my God!  Let me take your picture, this is going on Face Book!"
2- (......Silence and then a polite but awkward handshake......)

Tonight I was favored by one of each reaction.  Not a problem.  The awkward Option Two people ended up giving me the biggest tip.  Could it have been the fantastic storytelling or the threat that I wouldn't show them how to get back to their car when the tour was over?  We'll never know.

As for me, I'm content in my air conditioned home chugging glass after glass of ice water.  I may love storytelling but it is a LOT of talking in every kind of weather!  Outdoor tour guiding: not for the faint of heart!

Until next time.

Happy haunting,
~Story Siren