Do you Tip Your Instructor

[Tanker299]

<< Some people would consider this the exact opposite of a tip... >>

She's been known to ask: "Is it too late to take the tip instead?"

:lol3: :lol3: :lol3:

A drink or a meal works well. Some are too shy to accept a tip.
Also, don't forget the DM's

 

[girldiverllc]

As an instructor, I'm being paid to teach. I'll never get rich, but if riches are what I'm after...this is the wrong gig. We (gosh I hope I speak for the masses...) teach because we want to share our passion for the underwater realm with new students. We want to see you take your breath underwater for the first time...see your first marine life and watch the amazement on your face after your first open water dive.

Tipping. Not necessary for me. Now, if my student tosses a gift card towards me...bonus. But, truly, the things that I hold onto are the "Thank You" cards that I can post in my office to remind myself on the "harder" days...what I'm doing this for. I love when a student has a friend at the site that takes a picture of the student and instructor...and then gives a copy to me. That's my "tip"!!!

Now, for the DM's...if they have done their job and hauled tanks and been there to help you with your gear...well, if you really need to dispose of some income, throw it their way.

Just my two cents worth...

Cindy
www.girldiver.com

 

[divingjd]

I've always bought drinks or meals for my instructors. As an instructor, I don't expect tips, but have received a few, usually when I spent extra time with students. I've received gift certificates or cards, for the dive shop (there's always something to buy) or a restaurant.

By the way, a real Scotch-drinking instructor knows he's gotten a really good tip when he gets a bottle of Laphraoig. Lagavulin's a close second.

 

[Biodiversity_guy]

I tipped the DMs, but not the instructor. The DMs usually are there without financial compensation.

 

[Antaeus Reefskimmer]

My friend and I are finishing up our certification this weekend. Does anyone know if it customary to tip your dive instructor? If so, what is an appropriate amount?

Mine looked like he eats well (no offense intended, seriously!), so I gave him a jar of home-made fig preserves.

 

[jpcpat]

Now, for the DM's...if they have done their job and hauled tanks and been there to help you with your gear...well, if you really need to dispose of some income, throw it their way.
www.girldiver.com

Thank you for remembering the unheralded. BTW, are you married? If not, would you like to be?

 

[Jason Ooi]

NO TIP!!! just buy him a beers....

 

[dsteding]

My instructor is my friend, and we dive a lot together. I do, however, try to buy dinner every once in a while, and I have something up my sleeve as a thank you for tomorrow's doubles try out (loaning me all his gear, spending the afternoon at a shallow depth watching me wallow about . . . sounds like fun).

[EDIT-Bob, yes this is me trying to get you guessing . . . ]

 

[SharkDZ]

Yes, typically a gift card or bottle of spirits.

Most recently I completed my Rescue certification and wrote up a nice
evaluation for a PADI questionnaire. Apparently it got back to my
instructor whom called to thank me. I told her that we, the students
are the ones that are indebted to her. Her attitude and demeanor
makes people want to dive more!

 

[Ron Brandt]

When I "worked" with a shop I was never paid and never tipped in 9 years. The people thought they were paying enough to the shop so why would they want to spend more....I'm VERY bitter about this subject.

Ron