Dick - whilst it's clear that you were paid for your Irish gigs, and rightly so, what is not clear is whether the audience had paid an entry fee. I would think that would make a difference to their attitude regarding tips. Somehow though, I can't see it ever happening in an English folk club. As relatively poorly paid performers we always welcome a few bob extra if it comes our way, not to mention the implied compliment, but in a situation where a member of the public has effectively made a contract with the organisers by paying an entrance fee it doesn't seem fair to expect more than one's prearranged performance fee. All in all, I don't think tipping should be encouraged anywhere, except where people are volunteering their services for nothing. It just gives employers an excuse to pay less in wages or fees. That could be seen by some as an opportunity for 'creative accountancy', but not at the financial level of the great majority of folk artists. As a performer I'd rather know how much I'm getting before the event, and as a punter I'd rather pay the same as everyone else for what I'm getting. I think in (UK) folk clubs it would be a nice gesture to lob a few shillings at a floor-spot if they were particularly good, but I can't see that becoming a common practice - I've never thought of it before, and I've never done it.. Perhaps there are people out there who are less mean than myself :)