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

[drrich2]

I've always wondered why Canadians claimed that things cost them more just because their currency is also called a DOLLAR.

That makes me think of the situation in the Caymans, where their 'dollar' has higher value than the U.S. dollar, so prices listed in their currency seem to cost us more. Just checked online and was shown $1 U.S. = $0.83 Cayman.

 

[ggunn]

At $1.36 Cdn for $1.00 US dollar, my $2040.85 bill comes to $2775.56.

Well, OK, but it makes no difference in which currency the price is quoted. It could be listed in CDN$, US$, pesos, or sheckles; the price to you in CDN$ would be the same.

 

[waterone]

I would suggest tipping 50%, that way when I'm on the boat with you all I don't feel the need to tip!

I tip better than most but I also will not tip too well...or possible at all for lesser service. Luckily, I usually pick my providers quite well.

For those who really dont like tipping, just carry bills like this....

 

[mediumone]

If you can afford to travel to Cozumel for a week of diving, you can afford to leave a reasonable tip for the dive crew. It's an expense that should be accounted for, like your meals and drinks,

You don't know a damn thing about his finances.

 

[jonhall]

I make it easy, tipping 20%,

Many people do tip a percentage when diving. Consider the following examples - they are all highly regarded dive ops in Cozumel providing many of the same benefits (valet service, gear storage, fleet of boats, etc..)

Dive shop A in Coz charges $95 per 2 tank dive before taxes. A 20% tip is $19.
Dive shop A has no multiple dive day discount. 5 days diving is $475 which would garner a 20% tip of $95.

Dive shop B charges $75 per 2 tank dive before taxes. A 20% tip would be $15.
They also have no multiple dive day discount so 5 days diving is $375 which would be a $75 tip

Dive shop C is pretty high at $110 for a 2 tank dive - 20% tip of $22.
With their 5 day discount the total would become a pretty low $325 which would be a $65 tip or $13/day.

My question would be, if these dive ops all provide a similar service/experience, does one warrant more or less of a tip just because they charge a different price?

My answer would be no and it's the reason I don't do a percentage but simply provide a $10-15 tip for a 2 tank dive.

 

[rmssetc]

My answer would be no and it's the reason I don't do a percentage but simply provide a $10-15 tip for a 2 tank dive.

Agreed.

Here's another reason why I too give a flat tip, almost always $10/tank...after a couple of good dives I am usually nicely relaxed and don't want to be bothered doing math.

 

[Dan G]

Opinion | Tipping Is a Legacy of Slavery (Published 2021)

Abolish the racist, sexist subminimum wage now.

www.nytimes.com

I bet that many workers would still encourage tipping.

The irony of you posting this opinion piece that advocates that the NY state gov eliminate the low min wage for tipped workers while you simultaneously blame tipped workers for the broken system we have is quite thick. If this is to change, it needs to come from employers paying a living wage to all of their employees by either the reform of the min wage laws that currently allow them to pass the cost of their wages onto us or by them just doing it on their own without any gov intervention. Blaming the worker who is trying to survive in the broken system is wrong IMHO.

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.

I would rather see the change not come from us, the customer, sending low-wage workers home with less money, but rather by compelling employers to pay a living wage. The former punishes workers who have little voice and are frequently quite replaceable. The latter reforms the system.

I would certainly vote for a candidate who advocated such change, even if I disagreed with many of their other policy stances. Would you or do you just want to place the burden of reform where it is most easily placed? Are you willing to forego spending money at any place that subsidizes employee wages with our tips, which, done en mass, would have a much great impact than simply not tipping? How about the raindrops of your vote for candidates who advocate reform or voting with your wallet based on where you spend money?

 

[ggunn]

Agreed.

Here's another reason why I too give a flat tip, almost always $10/tank...after a couple of good dives I am usually nicely relaxed and don't want to be bothered doing math.

I have an approximate number in mind and when I am packing my dive bag I put in whatever cash I have on hand that is close to that number. No math involved.

 

[ReefHound]

My question would be, if these dive ops all provide a similar service/experience, does one warrant more or less of a tip just because they charge a different price?

My answer would be no and it's the reason I don't do a percentage but simply provide a $10-15 tip for a 2 tank dive.

My answer is also no and it extends to more than diving. Does the server deserve a bigger tip because I order the $25 steak versus the $12 chicken sandwich?

 

[ReefHound]

I would rather see the change not come from us, the customer, sending low-wage workers home with less money, but rather by compelling employers to pay a living wage. The former punishes workers who have little voice and are frequently quite replaceable. The latter reforms the system.

I wasn't saying it should come from us, just pointing out that collectively we certainly can influence things.

I would rather not see the change come from laws. We have seen low-skill wages rise quite a bit the last few years and it hasn't been from laws but from labor shortages. Many fast food places advertising $20/hr. When workers refuse to take such jobs then employers will have to change.