Do you tip an instructor?

[caseybird]

Tipping the DM is always proper.

Steve,
PADI DM #231953

 

[Docc]

I didn't tip the instructor or divemasters cause they were paid employees of the dive shop. A young assistant instructor who helped with our class wasn't paid and helped me learn a lot. I tipped him a benjamin. He helped with the class, he had to pay gas to get to the classes. He worked a normal non-diving job by day. He also projected a love and enthusiasm for diving that spilled over to we students. I thought he deserved it. I've always been willing to reward good service, in any industry.

On the flip side I also refuse to tip anything for poor service. That really used to piss off my ex. She thought "everybody" deserved a tip.

 

[WartedEmperor]

I didn't tip my instructor because he is also the owner of the dive shop so all the profits were going into his pocket.

 

[ligersandtions]

I kind of like the idea of tipping people like waiters/waitresses because then I can choose not to when I think their service sucked. I tip well when their service warrants it; I tip "average" when they did nothing special but also didn't ruin my meal; and I tip either nothing or just enough for them to know that I didn't forget to tip, but purposely gave them next to nothing.

That said, tipping my instructors never even crossed my mind. I figure being a fairly loyal customer should be enough for them....and if it's not, I'll take my business elsewhere. I generally tip on dive boats because I appreciate the service and everything they did for us, but I don't go with the "$5/tank" or whatever....I do it based on how I feel. I also would have no qualms with not tipping if they did a crap-tastic job.

 

[PvtStash]

it Stops being a Tip, and becomes a Fee...

Tip is for "good" service?

How much service does my Fee entitle me to? (oh you wanted GOOD service? thats extra)

 

[tkdgodess]

I would never expect a tip. I have received meals paid for, a thank you card or two, and a bottle of wine. I wouldn't tip my personal trainer, or martial arts instructor, why would I tip my dive instructor?

 

[Doubler]

As far as tipping Instructors, DM's, or Boat Captains when is the last time ANYONE on this board tipped an Airline Steward, Pilot, gate attendant, or for that matter a Walmart Cashier. Tipping professionals is BS. I have been doing what I do for 45 years and am considered a subject matter expert. I have never, nor do I ever expect a tip nor would I accept one. What ever happened to PRIDE in what I do and satisfaction in that pride and a job well done. When did this crap start anyway?

 

[NeilJ]

I have noticed in Vancouver that tipping is getting a little out of control. Quizznos, ice cream shops, even liquor stores have started to put the tip function on the debit machines. I work for 1-800-Got-Junk and there have been countless times where I had to carry 20 year old sofa beds that were covered in cat hair and wreaked of urine, up 2 flights of the tightest stair cases ever built. And I never expect a tip, yet some guy scanning my beer thinks he does. I don't understand it.

Although I have never tipped an instructor, out of the two charters I have done, one guy got a tip because I thought he did a great job. The other dive the dive master started yelling because he thought I was taking to long putting my gear on and there was no way I was going to tip him. In fact, I didn't even say thank you after.

I guess I'm pretty cheap, but attractive bartenders when I have had to many are pretty good at getting the best of me.

 

[Doc Harry]

Do I tip an instructor?

Depends on which country I am in at the time, and the local customs.

 

[divemedic1316]

If you are trying to establish a realtionship with your insrtuctor. You should tip.