The all-inclusive tipping note -- Boats, DMs & Instructors

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jagular007 is on target. put an end to the madness. where will it end? let the company running the trips pay their employees for their work. let the customers pay in turn for what they purchase. but giving money to people at every turn is a very American habit that is indeed frowned upon in other cultures. people in a service industry should take pride in providing top notch service as part of their job description. not have their hand out at every turn. even worse prequalifing each diver (in this case) as to whether or not they will be a good "tipper" at the end of the divetrip, vacation, whatever and then judge the level of service they are going to provide accordingly. bad business all around.
 
If we like the boat crew, we tip the captain $20(he is supposed to share)for 2 people. This is a great move especially if you plan on diving with them for more than one trip. They will definitely remember you the next time -- you'll get even better service and you might make some friends. If the dive shop is a big operation and has more than one boat, word spreads fast.
 
Scubakevdm:
I'm thinking that what you are refering to as red algae, is actually a cyanobacteria. It grows in colonies that look like patches of soft, red hair. It seems to favor certain corals. Anyway, if we're talking about the same thing, the answer is "no". It's become more and more of a problem on parts of some of the reefs up here. I'm involved with some research efforts. It seems as though the bloom is related to the Delray outfall, were are presently collecting, analysing and plotting the data that supports this. If you would like to know more about whats going on with it, PM me. -Peace, Kev

yes, and there was a story in the paper the other day that it is
actually spreading now, north and south.

Story Here
 
BTW, what is this about the red algae? Is this thrown in as a red herring, to try to cool down the thread????

Anyway, I do make a practice of tipping, at least when I know a tip is expected, and is merited. Yet every time I tip I get this uncomfotable feeling. It's as if I am placing myself on a higher plane, doling out money to my inferiors as a token of my largesse and superiority.

I see a lot of people holding up a tip as an incentive. As in, "do a good job and I'll make it worth your while." Such sentiments always evoke a mental picture in my mind of a dog owner holding a side of bacon just out of the reach of his slavering pooch--"be a good doggie and look what I'll do for you!"

In short, I find tipping patronizing and demeaning. I want to look at my divemaster, my hairdresser, etc. as human beings and peers, not as servants trying to ingratiate themselves with me so that I will be impelled to dispense more money.

I try to minimize this problem, when appropriate, by placing the tip in an envelope, maybe with a thank-you card; but still it stings.

Recently I was in the Philippines, and a man there taught me a lesson. He had been our driver for a month; taking us wherever we wanted to go, keeping the vehicle clean, doing our shopping, and doing a lot of little extras. Yes, he got paid--about $100 US per month, which isn't that much, even in the Philippines, especially when you have seven kids at home.

Toward the end of our time there, I realized I had not given the driver a tip. I rolled up some banknotes as small as I could, went to him and thanked him for all he had done, and handed him the rolled-up money. He couldn't see how much it was, and he didn't even try. He simply refused to take the tip. His explanation made me understand that he did what he did as a fellow human being, not as someone trying to profit from those he helped.

I later bought his wife a nice gift, which she graciously accepted. But a gift, of course, is quite different from a tip. It implies equality and friendship with a fellow human being. For me, a tip is an unfortunate remnant of the colonial system.

Yes, I've read all the arguments on this thread--at least the ones that weren't deleted. I see some valid points. But I'd have to agree with those who wish service industries would charge what the service is worth, and let their people keep their dignity.
 
:god: Yeah L2GD. :god: I'd be standing and applauding if I could find that durn smilie. I'll also need to keep tipping where appropriate until people get paid what they are worth but you hit my nail on the head.
 
love2godeep:
placing myself on a higher plane, doling out money to my inferiors as a token of my largesse and superiority.
Sorry you feel that way. Don't let that deter you from a substantial tip, though!
Rick
 
I just came back from a trip to Key Largo, FL. We did 11 dives over 3 days with the same operator, first two days were on the same boat/same crew and third day was the operator's second boat and different crew. Both boats had a captain and DM on board, although the DM did not get into the water with us. He loaded our tanks (with BC's attached) before we boarded the boat, gave us a safety briefing on the boat and explained the use of the head. He did have to administer oxygen to two divers on one day after they had a rapid ascent. Both the DM and captain assisted us on and off the boat.

Both boats had a big sign on the water cooler which said "Boat Crew works for tips" and a tip can next to the cooler. Only the DM on the second boat made any mention of the tip jar.

I am curious about the meaning of the sign saying the crew works for tips - does this mean that the DM is not paid anything by the dive op and gets ONLY tips? I did tip both crews, but it would seem these guys should be paid at least some wage by the dive operator also.

FWIW - all of the DM's and captains are listed as staff on the operator's web site. In fact, the DM's are actually listed as instructors.
 
Let's see if I've got this right. The general concensus seems to be that 10% or $5 a dive is an adequate tip for a DM.

10% for the person responsible for your comfort and SAFETY - 15-20% for the waitress who keeps your tea glass full.

10% for the guy who'll put himself at risk to help you, but 15% for the cab driver that dropped you off.

I must be missing something... ???????

We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of customer service possible. Thankfully most of the divers that come out with us recognize this and do better than what's being suggested here.
 
Originally Posted by DORSETBOY
I find a tip is a really nice gesture. Also if dive leading I have to admit I might be more inclined to take a diver to a particular area on a dive site if I think they'll be inclined to offer a tip. This would be an area that I generally prefer to keep to myself and dont want to risk getting trashed or otherwise disturbed by hordes of divers.

cdiver2:
Boy am I stupid I always thought I was paying up front to be taken to the best dive area that the boat worked in. If its a good dive site then divers will come back.

I second that! If I knew this was going on at a dive op I was using then my money would start going somewhere else! The only way to get a good dive with this DM is to make sure you get on a boat with Bill Gates!
 
obxdivemaster:
Let's see if I've got this right. The general concensus seems to be that 10% or $5 a dive is an adequate tip for a DM.

10% for the person responsible for your comfort and SAFETY - 15-20% for the waitress who keeps your tea glass full.

But who came up with the 15%?
10% for the guy who'll put himself at risk to help you, but

What if we do our own diving and see to our own safety?
 

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