Tipping

[Kitty_Kat]

We are professionals and if we act like them, we will get paid like them. Rather than cattle herding the Bucket List divers, if you focus on smaller numbers of students, keeping them in the industry, discounting for continuing loyal customers as they move up the classes, you will make better profit.
Turn them out as great divers and keep them happy and excited for diving. They will come back then.
They won't be the diver trampling the reef and bragging that diving is easy and perpetuating that idea.
They will even recommend you! They will buy gear from you, even if it's priced slightly higher.

As g1138 hinted at, the best "tip" I have received thus far is getting to see some of the divers I trained continue to dive. Every time one of those divers comes back to take a continuing education class or ask me about the gear he wants to buy, it tells me that I must have done a good job. When one of those divers become so excited about diving that he wants to get his entire family certified, putting them in my next class is one of the highest compliments I could receive on his class experience. After one of those divers goes on the "best dive trip ever", getting to see his pictures and listen to his stories from the trip is going to make me smile months or years after his class ended.

At the end of the day, I'm usually not going to remember the fact that a student left me a few dollars though.

That being said, I don't necessarily think that tipping (monetarily) during classes is a bad thing if you (the student) feels that it is warranted. Do I believe that tips be expected or asked for? Definitely not.

Many of the instructors I learned from would use any and all tips they received to take care of their DMs/assistants, regardless of whether they these people had been tipped separately. This could take the form of buying lunch, coffee, or drinks for everyone after the class or putting a tank of gas in the DM's car a week later. Knowing how much a nice lunch or a much needed cup of coffee can brighten the day of someone who has been working their a** off, I see nothing wrong with accepting a tip so that I can better take care of the people who have helped me. Teaching a class is very rarely a solo effort/achievement and sometimes a small tip is a great way of recognizing that fact. On the other hand, I have also had the experience of working with instructors who actively asked for or suggested tips. I have not, and will not, work with them again.

To the OP, there is no cut and dry rule about tipping your instructors/DMs so do what you feel is right in your situation! *Since it was a rescue class, if you were responsible for the breakage of any body parts that are not your own, you may want to at least buy that person a drink though...

 

[Nasser]

I'm sure it is appreciated, and probably enexpected. Sorry, but this is wrong.

---------- Post added July 28th, 2014 at 07:33 PM ----------

This has been an interesting, predictable, discussion. Do what you think is right.

I don’t think that there really is a right or wrong answer.

It is very much dependent on what part of the world you’re in, what is considered customary, and what the individual circumstance are. In my personal experience I have never found it to be awkward or in appropriate. In fact I’ve usually made it a point to consult the GM or Operations manager, other instructors on staff, and even fellow students… not once was it deemed inappropriate or “wrong”. Most importantly, I felt it was a good way to show my appreciation for a very enjoyable and beneficial experience.

You said it yourself….”Do what you think is right"

 

[mathauck0814]

Scubaboard convinced me to increase the cost of my courses as a result of the generally prevailing attitude on tipping.

 

[oly5050user]

.

So I can see it now. At the beginning of the class you say to the students, "Let me see a show of hands how many of you plan to tip 15 - 20% at the end of class so we will know who to give some extra attention to if needed. And for those who are not going to tip, you better get it right the first time because no extra help is coming your way. You only get the "standard service"."

be real here. You know that is not done.

More times than I care to remember. But I don't mind because my company has always been good to me and I have worked hard for them for the past 33 years. And unlike you, I don't come on SB and whine about it. You are, without a doubt, the only instructor I have ever known that has the attitude you have and that's a good thing for the scuba industry.

good that your company is good to you. Many are not. many that used to give a bonus no longer due and the work load has increased due to down sizing.Retired from corporate job 13 years ago after working there 30 years and never looked back
Not complaining about not being tipped, complaining about how in todays society many people have forgotten to say please and thank you .i have no time for self centered juvenile people. offering a tip at the end of a superior course is a form of thank you for a great experience. As to my attitude, works for me. I am also one of the few instructors on the board that has never complained about how high insurance costs and membership fees have become. Been an instructor since 1971 part time and now full time.
Probably more active than 90% of the instructors on the board here. Finished up a group course on Sunday,started a private for 2 high end clients yesterday on Monday, have another private today at noon,and another private today at 5pm..Way busy here since June with mostly private classes that find us thru word of mouth referrals. I have only had time to go out only 1 time this season since May, on my own boat due to amount of classes lately. Works for me. Any tips or reward as a thank you is appreciated. Tips range from nothing but a hand shake to trips to Grand Cayman or Star Island at Key Biscayne Fla. to accompany clients for their ow dives. Have a group of 20 clients that have traveled with me many times going with me again to Bonaire in September. If I am not delivering a superior experience I would not think they will be going. A lot of competition here in NY area that if they were dissatisfied they could go elsewhere. So I must be doing something right

 

[theduckguru]

Scubaboard convinced me to increase the cost of my courses as a result of the generally prevailing attitude on tipping.

The end of restaurant tipping? - MarketWatch


"A solid majority of Americans — 75% — say they tip less than the customary 20% when dining out, according to a new survey by vouchercloud.net, which researches consumer spending habits. Additionally, the website reports that 46% of Americans say they are tipping less in general than they did five years ago."

 

[jbark]

Did you tip your college professors 15-20% of your tuition?

Being a professor I am pretty sure I know the answer to that question. Any chance it's extra credit??

Jerry

---------- Post added August 1st, 2014 at 08:39 AM ----------

FIRST: my son and I are now certified EFR and Rescue Divers. We are both quite proud of our accomplishments.

SECOND: our instructor and the two DM's were absolutely fabulous.

FINALLY: My son and I appreciated VERY MUCH the gentle approach to teaching an important subject. This wasn't just learning how to improve our own skills for the sake of being better divers (though there is certainly an element to that). This was learning skills that could help us help others.


Jeff

Congrats to you both, dive on!

Jerry

 

[cnspotts]

Tip!
I consider it part of the total cost of the trip especially when the experience has been fun, interactive and I feel the urge to give extra as they did.

I'm surprised by how how few seem to tip and have so many reasons for not doing it.

 

[dytis-sm]

IMHO a small thank you gift is not a bad idea if you enjoyed the class and felt that the instructor did a great job. Some do not care but others do go the extra mile. I do not think anyone expects a tip particularly cash. I hate the possibility of someone being insulted with cash so instead of cash I bought them dinner or gave them a BevMo gift card to buy the drinks of their choice. If they do not drink or time does not allow the dinner, an Amazon gift card or something like that. Same applies to DMs...

I treat this as a thank you for a friend not a waiter at a restaurant who gets paid primarily from tips.

 

[scubastingray]

The end of restaurant tipping? - MarketWatch


"A solid majority of Americans — 75% — say they tip less than the customary 20% when dining out, according to a new survey by vouchercloud.net, which researches consumer spending habits. Additionally, the website reports that 46% of Americans say they are tipping less in general than they did five years ago."

I tip in restaurants and where it's called for, but I'd like to point two things out:

1. The recent recession has likely significantly impacted tipping behavior significantly.

2. 20% as the norm is something that is sort of silly. It seems this percentage has gone from 10% to 15% and now 20% over the last 25 years. 15% is my standard, but typically I'll tip close to 20%. I don't think 20% is the norm.

 

[BDSC]

Tip!
I consider it part of the total cost of the trip especially when the experience has been fun, interactive and I feel the urge to give extra as they did.

I'm surprised by how how few seem to tip and have so many reasons for not doing it.

Just to be clear, this thread is about tipping your instructor and not tipping when on a trip. I suspect the vast majority of folks tip when on a trip or vacation. Every single instructor I know wouldn't accept a cash tip.