The problem is also a matter of perspective. In some countries it's considered a little extra, as rewards for excellent service. In others it's considered required, and a substantial part of the income. It doesn't help that it often involves a lot of unwritten rules; don't tip the cashier, but do tip the bagger, that kind of thing. It becomes awkward when the two mix, one way or the other. Personally, I feel tipping 5$ per tank to the diving deck assistant in an area where 75$ a month is an average salary for unskilled labour, is too much.
Newbie Boat Diver Tipping-Etiquette Question
- Thread starter dave42
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
The problem is also a matter of perspective. In some countries it's considered a little extra, as rewards for excellent service. In others it's considered required, and a substantial part of the income. It doesn't help that it often involves a lot of unwritten rules; don't tip the cashier, but do tip the bagger, that kind of thing. It becomes awkward when the two mix, one way or the other. Personally, I feel tipping 5$ per tank to the diving deck assistant in an area where 75$ a month is an average salary for unskilled labour, is too much.
- Messages
- 1,860
- Reaction score
- 102
I'll throw in something that usually gets me in hot water with my other half, I tip according to the service I get. If I lug my own tanks, gear, etc. why should I tip someone for just being on the boat? They didn't get up to assist me or even yell any encouraging words while I'm carrying the tanks to the boat. Don't expect them to do everything for you but a helping hand is nice.
Like ijdod said, some places it is considered a reward, other places it is expected. Just do what your conscience dictates. If you chose to not tip, speak to the captain or someone about what you thought they could do to improve their service.
Like ijdod said, some places it is considered a reward, other places it is expected. Just do what your conscience dictates. If you chose to not tip, speak to the captain or someone about what you thought they could do to improve their service.
wow......i must be the cheapest diver on the boards. lol i wish i could afford 5 or 10 bucks per tank.
i agree with the above two posters.
i have always had the same thoughts on tipping for all services, not just scuba diving. if you are performing your duties as required, why should i give you a tip (i know, i know.....what a p***k). i work 9 hrs a day and make an average salary. and nobody ever gives me a cent in extras. and i am responsible to keep some peoples business up and running. and i don't expect anything. if you feel you are not being paid a fair salary for the job you do, get another one that does. i have never believed that anyone deserves a tip simply for doing what they are paid to do.
that being said......if someone conducts themselves or offers a service that i consider to be over and above what i should expect, then i think it is a great idea to show appreciation by leaving a little something extra.
as far as scuba operations go.......we have been on many vacations and used a bunch of different shops. sometimes they are only as friendly as they have to be, and don't lift a finger to do anymore than the bare minumum. those guys will get zip from me. but there definetely are shops that have some great crews. some are a lot of fun to be with. they take the time to help with loading and unloading gear, getting in and out of the boat, switching tanks between dives, bringing you drinks or food in between or after dives, talking about all the things that we saw under water and helping to identify different critters, talking about different on land activities or places to eat ect, ect. those guys and gals certainly deserve something beyond what i have already paid the shop. we always hope to use basically the same crew when we dive but that is not always possible of course. but if we do, we like to give them a tip amount for the week and tell them it is for all of them. i hope it gets pooled among the whole crew which is what we ask them to do. but if one particular individual does a great job we might give them something privately.
the amount you decide to give should be what you feel comfortable with. whether that is 20 bucks each dive or 20 bucks for the week it is up to you. but please do ot reward bad service just because you think it is manditory.
i agree with the above two posters.
i have always had the same thoughts on tipping for all services, not just scuba diving. if you are performing your duties as required, why should i give you a tip (i know, i know.....what a p***k). i work 9 hrs a day and make an average salary. and nobody ever gives me a cent in extras. and i am responsible to keep some peoples business up and running. and i don't expect anything. if you feel you are not being paid a fair salary for the job you do, get another one that does. i have never believed that anyone deserves a tip simply for doing what they are paid to do.
that being said......if someone conducts themselves or offers a service that i consider to be over and above what i should expect, then i think it is a great idea to show appreciation by leaving a little something extra.
as far as scuba operations go.......we have been on many vacations and used a bunch of different shops. sometimes they are only as friendly as they have to be, and don't lift a finger to do anymore than the bare minumum. those guys will get zip from me. but there definetely are shops that have some great crews. some are a lot of fun to be with. they take the time to help with loading and unloading gear, getting in and out of the boat, switching tanks between dives, bringing you drinks or food in between or after dives, talking about all the things that we saw under water and helping to identify different critters, talking about different on land activities or places to eat ect, ect. those guys and gals certainly deserve something beyond what i have already paid the shop. we always hope to use basically the same crew when we dive but that is not always possible of course. but if we do, we like to give them a tip amount for the week and tell them it is for all of them. i hope it gets pooled among the whole crew which is what we ask them to do. but if one particular individual does a great job we might give them something privately.
the amount you decide to give should be what you feel comfortable with. whether that is 20 bucks each dive or 20 bucks for the week it is up to you. but please do ot reward bad service just because you think it is manditory.
mike_s
Contributor
In the past few days you've posted about who you used for diving in St Maarten and in Cozumel.
Cozumel isn't exactly cheap to visit, and St Maarten is much more.
Then you say you wish you could afford a $5/tank tip?
Yes. You indeed must be the cheapest diver on the boards...
CT Sean
Contributor
In the past few days you've posted about who you used for diving in St Maarten and in Cozumel.
Cozumel isn't exactly cheap to visit, and St Maarten is much more.
Then you say you wish you could afford a $5/tank tip?
Yes. You indeed must be the cheapest diver on the boards...
actually st maarten for us is a great deal. we have a kitchenette in the room and eat all brkfst and lunches there along with a few dinners over a couple week period. and i spend literally hours, and hours searching and waiting for flight deals. we normally have to combine airmiles or aeroplan points with a flight to be able to afford to go anywhere. so although i do understand your point, the truth is that we scrimp and save for our trips and i do a ton of searching to save as much money as we can so we can afford to go away somewhere once a year for a couple of weeks.
but hey.....i won't agrue.....i probably am the cheapest guy here. but i cannot see tipping 5 or 10 bucks a tank when i have never paid more than 30 bucks a tank to dive. thats too much in my cheap ass opinion. lol
i'd rather give something extra at weeks end to the one or two staff members who really deserve it. not just put random money in a tip jar to be split among a crew that sometimes is made up of people who do the bare minimum. thats my 2 cents......and 2 cents is all your gonna get. lol
Kryssa
Contributor
Are you shore diving on your own? If so, I can see you feeling a tip isn't warranted.
If you are diving off a crewed boat, I'd be interested to know who takes divers out for under $30 a tank!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2
If you are diving off a crewed boat, I'd be interested to know who takes divers out for under $30 a tank!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2
ScubaSteve1962
Contributor
The only way to travel, but where are you finding boat dives for $30?? and yes you are cheap, but so am I, I do the same look for cheap flights hotel points and eat in the room
i don't want to be seen as athread hijacker so i will only reply this one last time. sorry to the OP
i never said i paid less than 30/tank. i said i never have paid more than 30/tank. thats including st lucia, dominican, and cozumel to mention a few. and in st lucia we got a fantastic home cooked hot lunch on board.
---------- Post added May 15th, 2012 at 06:09 PM ----------
where are you finding boat dives for $30??
see above.....in coz it was dive palancar. 300 for 10 tanks that can be shared as well. and i got 4 nitrox thrown in at n/c (which is how it should be)
I have been both tipper and tippee. Some people are good tippers, others don't tip at all. There is no hard and fast rule. Factoring in service, good or bad, is appropriate. If I was your DM on a day boat in Maui, here is what I probably did for you. 1) I topped off your tanks to be sure you got a full tank; 2) I loaded tanks and other stuff onto the boat; 3) I probably loaded you gear onto the boat; 4) I got weights for you; 5) if you asked me to, I set up your gear for you. If you used our rental gear I did set it up for you; 6) I made sure your air was on and checked you over before you entered the water; 7) I dove with you and made you more comfortable knowing that if you could see me, you weren't lost; 8) if you asked, I took your picture or made a short video of you looking cool under water; 9) I made sure you got back on board safely; 10) I may have retrieved a piece of gear you dropped, or loaned you gear if you had a problem with yours, or put a bandaid on a scrape; 11) I told you what a great diver you are and how I wish every group I led was as easy as you guys. 12) after the dive, I cleaned up you mess, found the item you left on the boat and secured it so when you went to the shop, it was there, and then I off loaded the tanks, rinsed your rental gear, and then went home. The shop paid me just about minimum wage for my time. You tell me, what kind of tip is that worth?
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis
Similar threads
