Question Re: Tipping DM's

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

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Christi:
John, no worries and I do appreciate the clarification. As I'm sure you know, many people have a very skewed conception of this business...so your comments are much appreciated :)
Click to expand...

I understand it all too well from the other end of the business. I work as an assistant instructor for a dive shop in Colorado. I know how much the people have to pay for their lessons, and I know how much I get paid for my part of it. The students would no doubt be astounded at how little I get. On the rare, rare, rare occasions that they tip us, they probably think we are getting "a little extra," but one tip can double my pay.

Still, I have no bad feelings toward the management at all. I know everyone well enough to be sure that they are doing their best, and that the overhead (just maintaining a pool is an enormous expense) is where most of it goes. If they go out of business, how much will I be paid then?
 
Diver Dennis:
The $5 per tank is the same in Puerto Vallarta as well for dive dedicated shops. The tips are shared by all on the boat including the captain who does not own the boat. I'm not sure what people tip on the big cattle boat, multi activity trips.
Click to expand...


If for some god awful reason I ended up on a cattle boat...NVM wouldn't happen. However, I kinda do the restaurant type of thing usually. Averages about $15-$20. Remember these people make squat! Further, you are with them longer than the average restaurant stay. If someone is helping me with tanks and the like, is attentive to my needs, they are going to get a $20.

$20 for a five day trip? Did I read that right? :shocked: I may tip on the high side by some standards but $4 a day.
 
Missdirected:
$20 for a five day trip? Did I read that right? :shocked: I may tip on the high side by some standards but $4 a day.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. That would almost be an insult IMO especially for a private charter. If it's a large group and there 3 or 4 crew members on board. That's what, $1 each, $2 each if it's just the captain and the divemaster. It AMAZES me that people will tip their waiter more than they will tip their DM or Captain...they work much harder and do much more for you than delivering a drink or a plate of food...not to mention the repsponsibilities.

As far as tipping with "gifts." These little trinkets and gifts are great if you want to give them a little gift, but gifts are gifts and should not be given in lieu of a tip when tips are appropriate. These people have families to support and bills to pay just like everyone else...chocolates and candies do not pay the bills. Think about how you would feel if someone paid for your work or services with candy? Would that be appropriate or helpful?
 
The problem with some divers who come to Mexico is that they have the mind set "This is Mexico, everything is cheap." It is not cheap to live in the resort areas of Mexico as Christi can attest to. I've seen 20 peso tips left by COUPLES!
 
Christi:
My thoughts exactly. That would almost be an insult IMO especially for a private charter. If it's a large group and there 3 or 4 crew members on board. That's what, $1 each, $2 each if it's just the captain and the divemaster. It AMAZES me that people will tip their waiter more than they will tip their DM or Captain...they work much harder and do much more for you than delivering a drink or a plate of food...not to mention the repsponsibilities.

As far as tipping with "gifts." These little trinkets and gifts are great if you want to give them a little gift, but gifts are gifts and should not be given in lieu of a tip when tips are appropriate. These people have families to support and bills to pay just like everyone else...chocolates and candies do not pay the bills. How would you feel if someone paid for your work or services with candy? Would that be appropriate?
Click to expand...


I meant to say something about that. I know I would be thinking, "where do I trade this in so I can pay my bills?". Now if you would like to add some chocolates to a monetary tip, great. To me that says "we thought you were extra special so we've added this to show our thanks".

I've had maids and I've had maids. I've had ones that have went way beyond. for instance picking up my kids mess. Getting to know us and that we need extra towels daily. Knowing not to wash our towels unelss they are on the floor, as there is no need.

My pet peeve: People who go diving, enjoy the dive masters company, have snacks, pick the DM's brain, blah, blah, blah and upon returning they are the first off the boat and down the dock leaving no tip.
 
Diver Dennis:
The problem with some divers who come to Mexico is that they have the mind set "This is Mexico, everything is cheap." It is not cheap to live in the resort areas of Mexico as Christi can attest to. I've seen 20 peso tips left by COUPLES!
Click to expand...

Yes, and also that the people are basically charity cases and are just waiting for any little scrap from the tourists.

The people here are proud, they have very stong values and ethics and are MUCH smarter than people give them credit for. Maybe not book smart...but very intelligent.

If the clean-up and recovery efforts after Wilma weren't enough to convince people of this, then I don't know what will.

Also, just as an example, BOTH of my divemasters, Javier and Pedro are putting theor children through COLLEGE! Pedro's daughter just graduated and is a teacher. Javier has a son and a daughter in school in Mexico City. EVERYTHING they work for goes to support their families and to educate them.

As Dennis said, it is NOT cheap to live here, even for the locals. Electricity is about 4 to 5 times the cost I paid in Austin, groceries are about the same, in some cases much more, gas is outrageous, remember we are on an island so EVERYTHING has to be brought in. Nothing is produced here on the island...tourism is the heart of Cozumel's economy. Anyway, you get the picture.
 
Missdirected:
If for some god awful reason I ended up on a cattle boat...NVM wouldn't happen. However, I kinda do the restaurant type of thing usually. Averages about $15-$20. Remember these people make squat! Further, you are with them longer than the average restaurant stay. If someone is helping me with tanks and the like, is attentive to my needs, they are going to get a $20.

$20 for a five day trip? Did I read that right? :shocked: I may tip on the high side by some standards but $4 a day.
Click to expand...

No Miss, the average is $5 per TANK. So for 5 days of 2 tank days would be $50.
 
I found these interesting guidelines;

COUNTRY GRATUITY PROTOCOL
Australia and New Zealand Round up taxi fares and restaurant bills to nearest dollar.
Austria Service charges generally included in bill.
Britain and Ireland Service charges usually included in restaurant bills; otherwise, standard U.S. tipping rules apply.
China and North Korea Tipping is illegal.
Czech Republic Round up the bill to nearest koruna.
France and Germany Service charges generally applied to bills; customary to add 5 percent extra.
Hong Kong Tipping is common--about 10 percent in most situations--even when a service charge has already been applied.
Hungary 10 percent tip is customary.
Indonesia Service charges are usually included in bill.
Israel Restaurants and hotels typically add 10 percent service charge to bills; otherwise, tipping not expected.
Italy Tipping is customary, about 10 percent, even when a service charge is already included.
Japan Tips are usually included in hotel and restaurant bills; otherwise, tipping is not expected.
Malaysia Tipping is expected for porters and room service.
Mexico Tipping is customary, about 10 to 15 percent. Service charges rarely applied.
Philippines 10 percent tip is common for most services.
South Korea Tipping is not expected.
Spain Offer a 10 to 15 percent tip even when service charges have been added.
 
I think this is a great thread. Some may really not know what the standard is and by reading this will learn. Hopefully, this thread stays in the main forum for a long while.

One more thing, $20 per person, lets say a group of five, equeates to $500. Four people to share in that money would be $125 each. Pay for 24/7 on a live-aboard for five days $125. Uuuugh. Okay, now I will drop it, promise.:D

Please correct me if I have made and error.

David, great info.
 
I usually tip well above the average and receive exceptional service in the way of being taken to the dive sites I want to visit, having my favorite critters pointed out and being called "Senorita" by gorgeous men just puts me in a good mood. :)

Most of these guys are supporting entire families on their tips and wages. Be generous.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

Back
Top Bottom