Do you Tip Your Instructor

[SoSiouxme]

I tipped him $100 because my buddy and I were the only two students he had and he kept doing skills with us until we did it right....no matter how long we took. I continued with him for AOW and I was his only student in that class, so I got a lot of individual attention. And, lastly, and to be honest, probably most significantly, he was FINE!!!!

 

[hgroberts]

Yes.

Always tip your scuba instructor.

The best tip your instructor could possibly get would be a bottle of golden single malt Scotch whiskey. ALL dedicated scuba instructors enjoy sipping single malt Scotch upon the completion of their instructorly duties.

If your instructor is any kind of truly superior instructor at all, s/he will prefer Oban.

A bottle of Oban says "Thank You Dive Instructor!" to all those of us who care for our students. Contrary scuba instructors may enjoy Irish Whiskey (..."it's MY Island!" "You mean Ireland?" "Yes. It's Mine!"), however, only strokes drink blends.

If your instructor has the unmitigated temerity to refuse your tip, please PM me.

I will immediately provide an address to whence you can ship said tip to a far more deserving scuba instructor!

Well said, verry well said

 

[ChrisEdwards]

This thread is very time appropriate as I am hoping to finish up my OC cert this weekend.

My instructor has been excellent. Unfortunately the LDS, that he works in, has a limited selection of equipment and does not carry the products I want to purchase, so I will probably end up having to shop elsewhere.

I think I will definately go back for further training, but am not sure on the timing of this.

So I think I will tip or give him a gift certificate for one of the nice restaurants in our area.

 

[plot]

My LDS doesn't tell you to tip the instructors becuase they already get paid (via store credit I think). The instructors and the store both have started pushing the students to tip the divecons though. It's not something you have to do though, I don't think they are expecting it... just pleasently surprised whenever people do.

 

[Thalassamania]

IF you feel like it, for a local instructor a bottle or meal is fine, for a resort or destination instructor a cash tip is not out of line.

 

[scubajoe]

Tipping instructors is like tipping any other service provider....if the service is good tip if you want to.
Most of the tips I have recieved have been meals or a beer. I have recieved a subtantial tip a time ot two but that was the exception.
Send my scotch to Doc!

Joe

 

[TxHockeyGuy]

I did not tip my OW instructors, I did tip my instructor for AOW and Nitrox however. The reason I tipped my instructor though was because of all the things he did above and beyond. He brought out grills, propane, lanterns, had canopies, cooked brats and fajitas for all the students, had a misting system to help keep us cool, had a generator with him, and the list goes on. He doesn't do it for the money, there's no way he makes money on those classes and he has admitted as much. Not to mention he's a great instructor so I always tip him.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

If letting him operate out of my basement for 8 months while we were looking for a new location for the shop rent free, feeding him at least 2 or 3 times a month whenever we did classes, setting up the new shop in exchange for air and gear discounts, and working 3-4 days a week plus assisting with pool sessions for again only air counts I guess so. If that does not count, no.

 

[diverdown247]

The instructor I work with/for has been known to receive tips of sort. Some of his students get him gift certificates for restaurants and such since his wife can not dive.

I would like to think that it's not customary. Just remember, if an instructor is a quality "teacher", the best tip you can give is more business and referrals for business.

Bringing people into the shop personally truly makes a statement. It also helps the new/potential customer feel a bit more comfortable when meeting the instructor.

 

[Ian T]

I think it's kinda nice when people tip - usually a cold beverage or a bottle of a scottish beverage...but why?

Did you guys tip your driving instructor? or other teachers you've had? is it just that we are biased towards diving?

(he said, living in a country where tipping is basically unheard of....)