Captain Birdseye wrote: "Of course, if anyone wanted in addition to tip the musician it would be rude to refuse, but should not be expected.[quote Howard Jones]
my whole point.

I'm a bit confused by this, to be honest. Elsewhere you've written "I am taking a tiny step towards introducing an aspect of American culture". From what I understand, where tipping has relevance in America (as with waitressing &c.) it's a case of it being expected.

At the same time, showing alternative forms of appreciation is fairly common already in England - buying the performer a drink and so on.

Is it possibly more a case of you just wanting more tokens of appreciation or something?