Tipping Divemaster when abroad

[letsgodiving]

This tipping thing, like the loot bags at kids birthdays has gotten out of hand. Speaking as a rude Canadian we only tip at food places. Wouldn't occur to me to tip on a dive boat and wouldn't feel bad at all about not doing so.

I also tip a little more when I notice tight fisted divers getting off the boat without tipping. We tend to use the same boats quite a bit and are on first names terms with many of the DMs. I would feel really bad knowing the DM worked all morning/afternoont get tipped properly.

 

[PlayaCountryBoy]

This tipping thing, like the loot bags at kids birthdays has gotten out of hand. Speaking as a rude Canadian we only tip at food places. Wouldn't occur to me to tip on a dive boat and wouldn't feel bad at all about not doing so.

An experienced American instructor who has taught other nationalites, knows you are right, Horn, foreigners DO NOT tip! Most don't anyway, we know that already.:14:

 

[RaginCajun]

Boat & DM Separate....always?

On a boat dive Op out of Destin Fla, I once had a DM dive with me. When booking the trip they asked if I needed a DM and since it was my first Gulf dive we agreed it was sensible. I think it cost me $20 extra when I booked the trip. There was 1 DM and two buddy pairs all diving with him. There was also the boat crew (~2 mates and the captain). There was a sign on the boat that said the mates work for tips.

Question:

1. I tipped the mates/captain and not the DM specifically, was this right?


Here's the reply from the dive shop when I later asked about it...I've highlighted their answers.


Hey guys,

I'm planning a dive with you guys & the xxx and wanted to get your candid input on the customary practice regarding tipping the DM & Crew. I went last summer and it was my first real OW dive. I put a tip in the hat or gave it to one of the deck hands but I'm worried that I may have left the DM out (you didn't). The captain said the whole crew split tips, so I thought I was doing the right thing (you did).

What (how much what %) is a customary tip? (15>20% if they earn it) What if you do 2 dives (morning & afternoon charters 2 separate tips?) (separate, as crew could be different on each trip)Since I paid extra for the DM through your shop when I booked the trip, do I need to tip my DM personally and the crew separate?(that would be more appropriate, but only if it is earned) Since there were 2 DM's on board and one group without a DM, I suppose somebody could get left out. (it's a tough world out there)

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I would rather ask than to be unfair to somebody trying to earn an honest living.
(not stupid at all, thank you for the consideration)


Thanks,

 

[Brookieman10]

Was "asked" for a 20% tip on a live aboard last week - $720 cash only for a couple
on a 6 day trip didn't make that trip much of a bargain. No dive mater in the water just a friendly hand out of the water.

Expected tips should be in the total price. Exceptional service should be rewarded to the person. Pay your people so they don't have to beg !

 

[SteveC]

Expected tips should be in the total price. Exceptional service should be rewarded to the person. Pay your people so they don't have to beg !

I couldn’t agree more. I do tip since it’s the accepted custom, but I don’t see the reasoning. When I buy a product or service I expect the price quoted to include ALL the businesses over head, not just some of it. That includes everyone’s salary. I think that everyone in the service industry should be paid a fair salary, but why should it depend on the whim of the customers. Tell me upfront how much your service cost. If I’m happy with your service I’ll come back, if not, I won’t.
Traditionally it’s been assumed that a tip helps to motivate a service worker, but sometimes at restaurants the tip is automatically added on the bill. How does this motivate anyone? Have you been to a buffet lately? I have been asked on the way in if I want to put my tip on my debit card BEFORE I eat! Now lets forget for a minute that it’s a buffet and your not actually getting any service, but how can I tip for good service that I haven’t even received yet?? How does that motivate anyone, or reward good service. Why not just say the buffet is $12 instead of $10.
And of course the same is true for the dive boat. Quote me a price that includes all your cost. Don’t tell me the boat dive is $60 if it’s really $100.

 

[Tigerman]

Where I come from, which you might notice from my location is Norway, the two places people normally tip, is bars and restaurants.
Normally at restaurants or bars I just leave the change, as long as Im paying by cash, but admittedly, unless I have planned it ahead, I pay by card most of the time.
Exceptional service warrants a tip as everywhere of course..

 

[philmayer]

Was "asked" for a 20% tip on a live aboard last week - $720 cash only for a couple
on a 6 day trip didn't make that trip much of a bargain. No dive mater in the water just a friendly hand out of the water.

Expected tips should be in the total price. Exceptional service should be rewarded to the person. Pay your people so they don't have to beg !

I had an issue with this last week in Grand Cayman.

Every restaurant I went to added a 15% gratuity to the bill. Some restaurants had great service, several had terrible service. All of the restaurants charged me the extra 15%.

The resort I stayed at added a 10% gratuity for the household staff.

Even though I was on a dive trip and the diving was part of a package, the dive staff DID NOT get an automatic tip.

Who gave me the best customer service all week? The people who knew they needed to provide good service to get a tip.

Who got the biggest tip? The people who enjoyed their work, were always happy and smiling, and who went out of their way to make my trip enjoyable. The dive staff.

 

[Tigerman]

If I was ASKED a 15% tip when eating in a restaurant, id say f%&# off quite honestly, a tip is not something you should be "asked" or "demanded" to pay. Its a reason why its called a tip and not "the bill"..

 

[PlayaCountryBoy]

Who got the biggest tip? The people who enjoyed their work, were always happy and smiling, and who went out of their way to make my trip enjoyable. The dive staff.

:luxhello: :luxhello::luxhello:

 

[letsgodiving]

My son lost his Atmos 2 wrist computer doing the giant stride on a dive in Pompano. The kid was really upset because he used his own money to buy it, even though I said it was no problem I would get another one.

The current was really strong and we were in about 80-85 feet of water. I tried to find it for a few minutes but wasn't successful. When the DM went down to untie the line he went looking for it. He was down about ten minutes and came up empty handed. My son was miserable on the way back to dock but as we entered the channel the DM casually took the computer from his pocket. My son was overjoyed and I was fairly happy about being off the hook for a new computer.

I tipped the DM our usually $30 plus I gave him a $60 recovery fee and asked if that was OK. I didn't actually have anymore cash so I was fairly happy when he said it was too much and he tried (unsuccessfully) to return $40.