However, I can tell you I receive more gift cards than cash tips. I also receive actual physical gifts often enough that I now have a large collection of a certain category on my site's wish list lol.
I'm touring almost full-time these days, so I've come to learn Chicagoland actually has a higher percentage of cash tippers vs gift-card givers than other cities. I don't know why that is; it's just something I've noticed.
There are a couple cities I visit where I don't think anyone's ever given me a cash tip, but they do give gifts. And I have one destination I've only recently begun to tour where so far no one has given any tip or gift. This might be because my rate is significantly higher than the local providers, or maybe it's just not part of the hobby-culture there. :shrug:
Don't get me wrong: I love gift cards, cash, and all of it equally and it's never ever expected. But it does feel nice to receive a gift or little extra something.
Anyway..... as to your other questions: because I tour, my repeat percentage varies widely from one location to the next. In Chicagoland, though, more than half of my dates are repeats/regulars.
That last one? Oh my. If I dislike someone, I don't see him again. Period.