"Tipping" etiquette question during OW class...

[GregA2k6]

Hello all,

I just finished my OW certification this week. The class was a great experience! My instructor did a great job throughout the course and on the weekend checkout dives. His wife was out at the lake also and made the experience that much easier by having hot water available for tea or hot chocolate as well and just being around to help out. Throughout the course we had an EXCELLENT dive master helping us. (both in the pool and the checkout dives) He was exceptionally knowledgable and motivating. He was always there with an encouraging word and helpful advice. After the course we headed to a nearby town for dinner and to log our final dives. After dinner my wife and I insisted on paying for the dive master's meal and bevies. After much protesting he finally let us. We also found out what type of wine our instuctor's wife enjoys and we will be dropping off a nice bottle of merlot for her.

Sitting here the day after I am wondering if I should have done something for our instructor. As with all new sports, it is often hard to figure out the etiquette in situations like this. My understanding is that the DM was probably not making much for the hours he spent helping us and with the level of service he provided, and therefore I felt that we should show our appreciation. I did my best to make sure that the instructor knew how much we enjoyed his class....should we have done more?

Thanks for any input!

GregA

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

Nothing wrong in tipping $20-40 for services that you thought were excellent.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[Tamas]

Tip all you want if you feel it's deserved. Tips are not mandatory but rather a sign that you felt the person providing the service went out of their way helping you and making sure you are ok....thus if you feel it right, tip.

As for the instructor, I would not "tip" him rather go with the wine idea, more of a professional gesture and more appropriate then just a tip....perhaps a nice thank you card and some sort of token gift.

 

[The Chairman]

I hate to see my students tip. I would rather they keep walking or swimming upright.

 

[Tamas]

LOL! Good one Pete.

 

[scratchmyback]

I just finished my OW yesterday as well. I am planning on taking more courses with this instructor because he was just awesome. That is his "tip". I mean that in a very respectful way.

I operate a small service business in much the same way. I would prefer my clients to rebook, or refer someone to me, rather than give me a tip. It is much more meaningful to me and it tells me that what I delivered had value.

I had to edit this post. My signature line says "I tip" and this post sounded like I am contradicting myself and I don't want to get flamed. I joined a non-profit local scuba club to receive my instruction. It is not a dive shop. Everyone works full time at other occupations. All the members help out whenever they can. Nobody expects a tip. Maybe a beer now and then!

Laura

 

[LavaSurfer]

My personal opinion is this:

Your Instructor made out OK, you paid him but a nice gesture of wine, a card or a thank you goes a long way. As for assistants and DM's, I tip just like I was in a restaurant, 10 - 20% based on service. Lets say it’s a two tank dive @ $85 I tip between $10-$15 for the boat to share but in reality I Actually I slip them a $20 if they really did a great job but 10%-20% is standard. If there are two DM’s or a DM and a captain I would hand them both half. Be aware, some places I have been told an open tipping is rude. Caymans were one place I was told to keep tips discrete. Why I have no clue so I avoid making a big deal out of it. I shake their hand and the cash is there.

In hawaii they hang a coconut on a bell and you ring when you tip. Descretion is not an issue

I assist in open water and pools now, trust me, these guys aren't making a bundle from being DM's, the instructors, shops and boat owners are doing ok though.

Do what feels fair. I had a DM once that was a clueless, he got us lost, did a drift dive the wrong way where we swam into the current for 20 minutes till we all ran low on air and in general was the pits, he received no $$. That’s how it works.

Scooter

 

[wreckchick]

In lieu of cash or presents (which if you're feeling like contributing, go right ahead) you can also write a letter to the training agency. He/She will get a note saying that there was a positive report written about them and it looks good for the future.

Rachel

 

[pir8]

If the instructor works for himself then he doesn't need to be tipped. DM's always appreciate it, tells them they are doing something right.

 

[The Chairman]

The best tip is having students tell me I came "highly recommended" by a former student.