How much to tip dive masters and boat crew in Cozumel?

[Rob9876]

Oh, it was before my time, and I'm old, but there is some history. There is also some talk now about making 30% standard. It's a cycle.

I know you're in Texas, and I grew up outside of Houston -- I definitely remember 10% being the standard at least into the early 80's. 30% is a non-starter for me as a standard. Percentages really should not increase with inflation, as inflation already raises the prices that tips are based upon.

I can be quite generous when someone gives exceptional service, but as I get older and recall what I have made at various jobs (adjusted for inflation), I am just not throwing (sometimes substantial) money at mediocre or bad service just because of peer pressure.

 

[ggunn]

Was cheap. Should of been $20 per diver for a 2 tank trip

This is always an active topic whenever it comes up a couple of times a year. It's a private exchange between the tipper and tippee; how much I tip is nobody else's business.

 

[Dan G]

Regarding food service in the US, what is happening is that owners are able, in some instances, to declare their workers as "tipped employees" and pay a lower minimum wage compared to non-tipped. This makes sense for people in a full service restaurant, but not at a coffee shop or ice cream parlor where tipping is much less prevalent. The tip we leave on an iPad when we pay with a credit card is added to a worker's paycheck and taxed at a regular rate. This, in effect, lowers the amount a tip is worth.

It is for this reason we have seen a rise in the places where we are asked to leave a tip. An actual waiter IMO deserves a 15%-20% tip. Below 15% is reserved for sending a message that the service was not very good.

Regarding DMs and Capt in Cozumel, who are some of the hardest working DMs/Capt I have encountered, I think between $5-$10/tank is appropriate. I believe that the better a diver knows a DM the better they should tip. If a diver is requesting a specific DM or is excited when they go out with a certain DM, then the tip should be on the higher end.

 

[mcohen1021]

It all depends on your diving situation

I go with a friend of mine and we are paying very well usually have our own boat, so we're paying well above the standard $65 day prices.

 

[DandyDon]

It is for this reason we have seen a rise in the places where we are asked to leave a tip.

I think that's happening because they hope it works.

An actual waiter IMO deserves a 15%-20% tip.

Each to his/her own opinion. There is no known logical reason to support that claim. Tipping developed in the US, it just happened, and recipients encourage that myth.

the standard $65 day prices.

When was that true?

 

[ReefHound]

The tip we leave on an iPad when we pay with a credit card is added to a worker's paycheck and taxed at a regular rate. This, in effect, lowers the amount a tip is worth.

Tipped income by any means is and always has been taxable and required to report. It's just that the credit card means ensures this is done. I doubt many report all of their cash tips.

 

[ggunn]

Regarding food service in the US, what is happening is that owners are able, in some instances, to declare their workers as "tipped employees" and pay a lower minimum wage compared to non-tipped. This makes sense for people in a full service restaurant, but not at a coffee shop or ice cream parlor where tipping is much less prevalent. The tip we leave on an iPad when we pay with a credit card is added to a worker's paycheck and taxed at a regular rate. This, in effect, lowers the amount a tip is worth.

It is for this reason we have seen a rise in the places where we are asked to leave a tip. An actual waiter IMO deserves a 15%-20% tip. Below 15% is reserved for sending a message that the service was not very good.

Regarding DMs and Capt in Cozumel, who are some of the hardest working DMs/Capt I have encountered, I think between $5-$10/tank is appropriate. I believe that the better a diver knows a DM the better they should tip. If a diver is requesting a specific DM or is excited when they go out with a certain DM, then the tip should be on the higher end.

No offense intended, but I object to anyone trying to tell me how much I should be tipping for anything. I tip when and how much I think is appropriate; what that is is nobody's business but my own and is not subject to anyone else's approval or lack thereof.

 

[NDL_Diver]

I think they are just happy to get a tip since European customers sometimes don't.

 

[Dan G]

No offense intended, but I object to anyone trying to tell me how much I should be tipping for anything. I tip when and how much I think is appropriate; what that is is nobody's business but my own and is not subject to anyone else's approval or lack thereof.

Gordon,
I'm not offended. I am giving my opinion about tipping, not dictating anything nor offering disapproval of anyone's tipping practice. The thread is asking"how much to tip?" A reply of "tipping is no one's business but your own" doesn't offer much help.

 

[Dan G]

Tipped income by any means is and always has been taxable and required to report. It's just that the credit card means ensures this is done. I doubt many report all of their cash tips.

I am a little surprised to see you advocate that people pay the maximum tax rather than sheltering their taxable income.