Tipping for instructor.

[Candiru]

What is the customary amount to tip an instructor when you take a class? When I take classes in the US I don't tip the instructor but I always tip on a dive boat irregardless of where I am.

 

[ripman3]

I tip my instructor 20 dollars. I don't know if that is good or not but that's what I give. That's for each day. my last class I had to do 6 dives in 3 days so I tiped 60 dollars.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

Tip an Instructor? For what? You have already paid a fee for professional training. Now if the instructor goes above and beyond the basic requirements, i.e. he / she does 6 open water dives vice the required 4, then yes. But for just a class? Forget it. OBTW, the entire tipping system in the US sucks!

 

[diverokc]

I had the same type of question this week. I was having trouble getting comfortable for some reason and I hired private dm. I tipped him $20. I don't know if he gets a split of boat tips but he was helping everyone on the boat with gear and stuff.

 

[Caveeagle]

I don't think tipping an instructor is normal or required under normal circumstances. Now, If there are extraordinary conditions, or other factors, maybe some other considerations.. maybe if you needed extra help or time on some skills, or private 1-on-1 coaching. Even then, I would not go with a standard $20 in the parking lot. That seems a bit awkward on both ends. Maybe a thank you card with a gift card to outback or something like that seems to be much more in the spirit of the instructor-student relationship.

..But then we have been using an instructor that tends to charge about $100 more than the local average for OW/AOW classes, so I think we are already paying a premium for the great teaching that we expect. (and get)

 

[ripman3]

I tip because i use the same guy all the time. I like the way he teaches me and im very happy with his service. I also always have one on one lessons.

 

[DandyDon]

Oh much do you usually tip your doctor...??

 

[bradells]

**Whoops, didn't notice it was in the Cozumel forum .... Still applies, I don't do the touristy thing, I try to do the local thing, so I usually find where the DM's and Instructors hang out anyways**

The people I dive and train with are very social. It's not uncommon for us to gather after a day of diving over some beverages and food.

Same with after a course, and the instructor doesn't pay.....


BRad

 

[oly5050user]

Oh much do you usually tip your doctor...??

Doctor gets anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000 + a year.
I know for sure as my wife was a hospital CFO here in NY.
Many instructors consider themselves lucky if they make enough to pay for their insurance... I say give or not give. Whatever you feel comfortable with for a great experience and a job well done.

 

[mstevens]

I think many people have a really skewed view of what doctors in the US typically make. I'm not saying it's a terrible living, but I know quite a few who have significant trouble making ends meet after student loan payments. Most don't complete their training and start actually working as physicians until they're around 30, too, so it's a fairly late start in terms of building equity in a house, developing credit, etc.

Friday night my wife and I were told someone had bought our drinks. I knew I had a patient at the bar, so I guess it must've been she. That's the first time ever that I've gotten a tip, including that one night I worked as a waiter. I have had feces flung at me when someone didn't think I was perky enough after I'd been working for around 50 hours, but that's not much of a tip, really.

We tip instructors in Cozumel. They do not make much, and many only instruct a few hours a week.

Edit: in most of the rest of the world besides the US, physicians don't make a particularly good income. Most do it because it's rewarding in so many other ways.