Should referees get $$$ tipped?

[Tyger]

I'm asking this becasue of something from a few weeks ago.

While reffing a few weeks ago, the private group I was reffing offered me a tip at the end of the day. I declined it, saying it was field policy not to take them,but the more I thought about it, the more I wondered.

Pros : It's money. It's a hard job, and you tip caddies for the service.

Cons : It's almost a bribe, and paintball is a sport, not a service industry, right?

I don't know, I figured I'd put it up for debate.

-Tyger

[Punisher]

....meh.....take the cash ya crooked huckster! Go ahead......take yer dirty money and run! Yeah...you and your bunny suit too!




....woo boy! I gotta lay off the caffene after 1am!

[Miscue]

$5 = One favorable call for you next time.

$10 = One unfavorable call for opponent next time.

[Vert]

If its for a private group(birthday party, corporate event, etc.) then yes take the tip otherwise no.

[shartley]

[Mr Pink]

If it's a punter/walk-on day then Yes - Refs should be able to be tipped (It's a service job at that level, and would perhaps encourge Refs to care for their group a little more)

Tourneys on the other hand - a Resounding NO! Can you imagine the chaos tipping a Ref after you've just beaten a team

[JEDI]

For rec ball, I say tip away! Nothing is really on the line, and most of the time private groups are friends anyway. Even if its a walk on day, I'd take a tip. Generally its after the day of play, when no harm will be done. If you're crooked to the point that you'll remember walk on players that that tipped you, and return to play again, the money isnt the problem. Your morals and values are.

Now, for tournament play I say NO!!!! It would be too messy, and cheating will happen. No way!!!

[Thordic]

Getting tipped BEFORE the day starts: Bad.

Getting tipped AFTER the day is over: Fine. All the calls are made, they aren't buying favor since play is done.

[funkmunky56]

I'm with Thordic on this one... definitely not good to accept tips beforehand, but afterwards? HECK YEAH. Especially if you're reffing a private party that includes an at-risk teens group and their adult "handlers"... as happened at my field a few weeks ago. I prob'ly woulda complained if they HADN'T tipped my fellow refs who were assigned to them, after all the B.S. they had to go through with kids shooting each other in the backs, lifting EACH OTHERS masks, running through the woods PAST the field with rental gear, and us not knowing if they're coming back with it... etc.

as it was, each of the two refs got 30 bucks from the adult leaders at the end of the day, a hearty handshake, and definite expressions of gratitude from some obviously overstressed folks...


OBVIOUSLY, no tipping at tourneys. But, again, did that really need to be said? --Dave

[Kevmaster]

if its a private rec ball game, i accepted tips. I prolly got $20-25 in tips at the end of the day. My bosses (before I became the boss and stopped it) told people on the phone that "tips were expected" for the refs....just like waiters or caddies. Thats all fine and dandy for a big group coming to a field. they all chip in a buck or two at the end of the game and tip me for helping them. no way that could be turned into me being paid off

however, tourny ball, there should be no tipping whatsoever. Look to basketball or baseball as a precident. No player/coach gives the reffs ANY money because that would be 1) bribing the ref and 2) at the least favoring the ref

[JAM]

I agree, if the reffing was done well, why not tip 'em... it's not like they make a ton of money doing it.

[Mossman]

Tipping a ref never even occurred to me, but I don't see why a ref shouldn't accept it (especially from a private group). Around here all the fields make a killing anyways, I can hardly afford paint let alone tipping a ref, and I've only been in a private group once (last weekend, with Joey D). In that case, when it costs a grand for 12 people to play, I don't think we should be expected to tip the refs, after 250 of that goes to paint theres plenty to go to running the field and hooking the refs up.

[Splathappy]

Yea for recball tipping the reffs at the end of the day is way cool. The reffs at rec feild are pretty much there to make sure your safe and r having fun, and for the most part they dont get paid all that much..

[Maglover2k]

I would take it, my field around here doesnt pay to well so why not take the extra cash.

[Jonno06]

i wouldnt take the tip either way.