Zieg
Contributor
actually I am not turning it into anything, I am totally surprised that this thread won't die. I would kill it as the OP if i knew how. I went home and am diving happily. I can accept that in FL they think that they have to babysit while on the western half of the world we expect you to do what your c-card says you are trained to do, to include buddy checks and your own personal check. I also never said that i would not accept an air check from a DM just a DM that I felt uncomfortable with.
But I will not accept that just becasue i was on your boat i owe you a tip. I owe you the fee that it took to get on the boat and anything more is a thank you and in most circumstances I say thank you monetarily
Herb, I really didn't mean to infer that you were turning it into anything, I actually agree with you on this subject. Sorry for my poor wording, I was referring to everyone else turning this into big deal. Not everyone is Florida needs to be babysat and not everyone wants to be babysat. It's possible to find a boat in Florida that will treat you with respect and lend you a hand if you need it and only if you need it. But then again, I like diving outta my own boat.
As for tipping, I don't require any help carrying my gear, setting up, getting the gear on, or getting in ad out of the water. But I'm not too proud to ask for help if I need it. I guess I just remember the days when there were no DMs and you did have to take care of yourself. I'll tip if I feel the mate or the DM earns it.