How much to tip dive masters and boat crew in Cozumel?
- Thread starter Siljesyl
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You seem to be claiming that it is the people getting tipped who have developed this system. It is the owners of the stores that determine wages and classification of their employees as tipped or not tipped. It's the owners who are "hoping it works" to underpay their workers and let their customers make up the difference. This is a much more recent phenomenon compared to tipping a restaurant worker.
I am not sure of the history behind tipping waiters in North America compared to the rest of the world, but I have no doubt that if restaurants and bars raised their prices so they could afford to pay their service staff a livable wage, people would lose their minds at the price increase.
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Opinion | Tipping Is a Legacy of Slavery (Published 2021)
Abolish the racist, sexist subminimum wage now.
I bet that many workers would still encourage tipping.
I disagree. I believe the answer should be "whatever you feel is appropriate" rather than following someone else's opinion of what is or is not the proper amount. Everyone's situation is different; some of us have a whole lot more disposable income than others and probably tip more. That is totally OK; what the appropriate tip is for me to give a DM may not be at all the same as it is for you. I won't say what it is for me other than that is less than some and more than others, and that it might not be the same today as it will be tomorrow.
You're stating the obvious. However, when traveling it is good manners to follow local customs. Not tipping a waiter(or any service job) in a country where tipping is part of the deal for that job, does nothing to change a terrible system. It just sends someone home from work with less money. Federal tipped minimum wage is $2.13/hr. I live in CO and the tipped min wage here is $9.54.The answer is no one is ever required to tip anyone at all.
And again, the original question is asking people what they tip. A response of "no one is required to tip" is a terrible answer that is just axe grinding.
What's wrong with a reply (if any) of: "A tip is not required but if you do most people I know people who seem to tip between $____ and $____ per tank/trip/week..." OR "A tip is personal and you do not owe anyone an explanation for how much you tip, but IMO a reasonable tip is between $____ and $_____"
It's not that hard.
drrich2
Contributor
I suspect the perspective of many who ask these sorts of questions might be summed up as follows:
1.) In the U.S. (and areas U.S. tourists frequent, it seems), there is an informal but pervasive unofficial pay system where for some service sector employees pay is set abnormally low because tipping is very pervasive and 'actual' pay is to be pay + tips. You don't have to tip, but if you don't, you're shorting service people.
2.) Whatever the origins of the practice, it's unlikely the employer can readily break away from it. I've read of some trying.
3.) The customer (who asks questions here) is in a bind. He doesn't want to short anybody, but also doesn't want to throw money away. Neither a miser nor extravagant. What is the middle road? What's the average? What do most people do?
I think that's what people want to know. We don't always agree. How much difference if you set up your own kit vs. 'valet service?' Is that a % of the list price, or the 25% off sale price you booked? Etc...
It's harder with boat crew because sometimes they're only part of the package cost. Hence some might tip $5/tank (taxi to/from dive site) to $10/tank (valet service) or maybe $15/2 tanks (especially if you're doing 4 dives/day). Some more, some less.
Beyond that, there's the issue of how our actions influence tipping culture going forward. I recall when 10% was fine. I resented the expectation of 15%, and now that 15% (or more!) is being looked at by some as cheap, I'm rebelling! Draw the line and hold it!
P.S.: My point in the post was some people don't like being told what they 'ought' to tip, some people want to be told (at least what the unofficial standards are), not everyone wants to be 'generous' but most don't want to short anybody.
1.) In the U.S. (and areas U.S. tourists frequent, it seems), there is an informal but pervasive unofficial pay system where for some service sector employees pay is set abnormally low because tipping is very pervasive and 'actual' pay is to be pay + tips. You don't have to tip, but if you don't, you're shorting service people.
2.) Whatever the origins of the practice, it's unlikely the employer can readily break away from it. I've read of some trying.
3.) The customer (who asks questions here) is in a bind. He doesn't want to short anybody, but also doesn't want to throw money away. Neither a miser nor extravagant. What is the middle road? What's the average? What do most people do?
I think that's what people want to know. We don't always agree. How much difference if you set up your own kit vs. 'valet service?' Is that a % of the list price, or the 25% off sale price you booked? Etc...
It's harder with boat crew because sometimes they're only part of the package cost. Hence some might tip $5/tank (taxi to/from dive site) to $10/tank (valet service) or maybe $15/2 tanks (especially if you're doing 4 dives/day). Some more, some less.
Beyond that, there's the issue of how our actions influence tipping culture going forward. I recall when 10% was fine. I resented the expectation of 15%, and now that 15% (or more!) is being looked at by some as cheap, I'm rebelling! Draw the line and hold it!
P.S.: My point in the post was some people don't like being told what they 'ought' to tip, some people want to be told (at least what the unofficial standards are), not everyone wants to be 'generous' but most don't want to short anybody.
There's a saying - I think I heard it from Gordon here - no single raindrop thinks it's responsible for the flood. The essence is that each of us as one can make little difference but many of us collectively can make a huge difference. Not tipping for service won't individually and immediately change the system but if people collectively started changing their approach then the system would have to change.
jonhall
Contributor
I agree!! 
* It is no one's business what I tip.
* I don't care what other people tip.
* No one should dictate what a tip should be. Tip what you feel is appropriate or can afford. The receiver will be appreciative whatever it is.
* For those seeking advice and asking what others tip - I personally tip $10-15 for a 2 tank dive (no matter the country I'm in) and have tipped more (a few dollars) - such as to the person who took care of storing and retrieving my gear on days I dove. More often than not, for me, it's $5/tank which also would be the same for a DM led shore dive.
* Although I have only had 10 different DMs leading dives in Cozumel, not one seemed interested in whether I, or anyone else tipped (although several Cozumel dive op websites indicate that tips are welcome.) I can only recall a few times anywhere I've been diving where it was suggested I tip, "Here's the tip bucket."
* From my tip, where it goes or how it is divided is not my concern. Don't care and don't feel my service has ever been diminished because of what I tipped on an earlier dive day.
* As a customer, my concern is diving and what the dive op offers, not what the needs of a dive staff member (DM, boat capt, etc) is - some suggest, they really need those tips - NOT MY CONCERN - if I felt I was getting slighted because of a lack of tip, I'd find another op.
* It is no one's business what I tip.
* I don't care what other people tip.
* No one should dictate what a tip should be. Tip what you feel is appropriate or can afford. The receiver will be appreciative whatever it is.
* For those seeking advice and asking what others tip - I personally tip $10-15 for a 2 tank dive (no matter the country I'm in) and have tipped more (a few dollars) - such as to the person who took care of storing and retrieving my gear on days I dove. More often than not, for me, it's $5/tank which also would be the same for a DM led shore dive.
* Although I have only had 10 different DMs leading dives in Cozumel, not one seemed interested in whether I, or anyone else tipped (although several Cozumel dive op websites indicate that tips are welcome.) I can only recall a few times anywhere I've been diving where it was suggested I tip, "Here's the tip bucket."
* From my tip, where it goes or how it is divided is not my concern. Don't care and don't feel my service has ever been diminished because of what I tipped on an earlier dive day.
* As a customer, my concern is diving and what the dive op offers, not what the needs of a dive staff member (DM, boat capt, etc) is - some suggest, they really need those tips - NOT MY CONCERN - if I felt I was getting slighted because of a lack of tip, I'd find another op.
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