hmmmm, i'm in favor of 2 things:

1. decide, with the coffeehouse, a 'suggested donation' that's realistic -- $5 is generally accepted -- and then appoint a cohort (preferably female, yes it's gross, but it works) to politely walk the tip jar from table to table once per hour.

2. take requests. (most traddies do . . . but *not* most folkies in general these days, which puts us at a distinct financial advantage :). i've gotten some mighty fine tips for playing things i would't usually play, but love, like L. Cohen's Joan of Arc or Joni Mitchell stuff. If someone requests a song i hate, or simply is not my vibe, i gently nudge them toward something more middle of the road. If someone calls out for Ani DiFranco, for example, we could meet halfway at American Pie.

e