Tipping instructor?

[rockjock3]

College profs and Doctors? The Jiffy lube guys might be a more fair comparison, although they probably make more than most instructors.

Funny thing, lots of people don't bat an eye at tipping the haridresser, waiter, pizza delivery guy, paperboy, bartender, hotel staff... but tipping the DM or Instructor who actually spent time making sure you are safe is off limits.

I don't think Instructors expect to get tipped, but why should it stop at the DM level? The DMs I know here in Kona all outearn the Instructors. Hmmm... lesser qualification, easier job, better pay... no wonder some of the best, most experienced Instructors here won't teach and prefer just to guide or Captain.

later,

How do the DMs outearn the instructors when DMs don't get paid. At least everywhere I have been the DMs don't get paid. They get their free rides and air then beyond that they work for tips.

I won't tip an instructor because I am already paying them for their service. I will tip the DM if they do a good job though. I do this even though they don't swap my gear over at the SI or carry my tanks for me. I usually dive (when boat diving) with the same shop and when they show I help the DMs carry all the tanks to the boat. I do this because they're my friends and I like to help them out. I swap my own tanks because that is just the way I am, my life, my gear, I'll swap it over. I tip them for the dive briefings and their help to ensure my safety while I'm in the water. I hate it when these fat, lazy, accident waiting to happen, tourists come out though and don't tip them a dime for waiting on them hand and foot. The DMs ensure their gear is hooked up, on right and that they don't kill themselves, but then get stiffed. They are working for tips only and the divers shell out anywhere from $80-$150 a charter, but can't throw $15-20 at the DM? I just don't get it. They tip a waitress that much and their life isn't in her hands.

 

[friscuba]

How do the DMs outearn the instructors when DMs don't get paid. At least everywhere I have been the DMs don't get paid. They get their free rides and air then beyond that they work for tips.

I won't tip an instructor because I am already paying them for their service. I will tip the DM if they do a good job though. I do this even though they don't swap my gear over at the SI or carry my tanks for me. I usually dive (when boat diving) with the same shop and when they show I help the DMs carry all the tanks to the boat. I do this because they're my friends and I like to help them out. I swap my own tanks because that is just the way I am, my life, my gear, I'll swap it over. I tip them for the dive briefings and their help to ensure my safety while I'm in the water. I hate it when these fat, lazy, accident waiting to happen, tourists come out though and don't tip them a dime for waiting on them hand and foot. The DMs ensure their gear is hooked up, on right and that they don't kill themselves, but then get stiffed. They are working for tips only and the divers shell out anywhere from $80-$150 a charter, but can't throw $15-20 at the DM? I just don't get it. They tip a waitress that much and their life isn't in her hands.

At least in Kona, the DMs get paid, generally the same or nearly same houly rate as the Instructors. It can vary somewhat from op to op. The DM's are more likely to have set schedules, regular paychecks, and Hawaii mandated health coverage for working more than 20 hours a week, as charters are usually more frequent and consistant than classes.

Not sure how Oahu works as I've never worked there.

I do agree with you that people willing to tip wait staff for not killing them in their 6-8 minute of interraction during the meal yet unwilling to tip a DM or Instructor for a day or week's worth of time, guidance and protection seem to have thier priorities mixed up.

later,

 

[Brandon]

I won't tip an instructor because I am already paying them for their service. I will tip the DM if they do a good job though. I do this even though they don't swap my gear over at the SI or carry my tanks for me. I usually dive (when boat diving) with the same shop and when they show I help the DMs carry all the tanks to the boat. I do this because they're my friends and I like to help them out. I swap my own tanks because that is just the way I am, my life, my gear, I'll swap it over. I tip them for the dive briefings and their help to ensure my safety while I'm in the water. I hate it when these fat, lazy, accident waiting to happen, tourists come out though and don't tip them a dime for waiting on them hand and foot. The DMs ensure their gear is hooked up, on right and that they don't kill themselves, but then get stiffed. They are working for tips only and the divers shell out anywhere from $80-$150 a charter, but can't throw $15-20 at the DM? I just don't get it. They tip a waitress that much and their life isn't in her hands.

I agree. Tip the divemasters... they have the greatest influence on the quality of your dives, and that's what you're paying them for.

I don't agree with my life being in my instructor's or divemaster's hands though... my safety underwater is my own responsibility, and I'm not paying someone so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

The thought of tipping an instructor is hilarious to me. I just can't help picturing walking up to one of my University professors at the end of this semester and tipping them.

I don't know how your classes went... but mine were very much "We're going to get in the water, do these skills, and come back". I'm not tipping for that, that's instruction, and that's what I paid for in my course fees.

Now, if the situation and class affords the oppurtunity to "Get in the water, do our skills, explore the reef for a while, then head back", I'd be more inclined to tip. The instructor has gone beyond just teaching the class, and is making an effort to spend more time in the water with you making sure you enjoy yourself. I imagine that're more like how it is in Hawaii and other tropical locations.

Here in Alaska, it always seemed like my instructors hated being in the water, and couldn't get out fast enough.

I spent a whopping 108 minutes underwater for AOW, at a cost of $800 ($400 course fee, $100 rental gear, $300 trip to Valdez). There -might- have been an hour's worth of instruction at the surface.

I'm still bitter about that AOW course.... but that's already been discussed in another thread.

Bottom line, I'll tip the DMs something every trip. How much depends on how much effort they put into making sure I enjoy myself on the dive.

The instructors are going to have to do more than just teach the class requirements if they want to be tipped...

 

[daniel f aleman]

Never tip an Instructor. You pay the course fee. You pay for any additional instruction or any of his/her professional time.

You do tip Divemasters - straight cash, homey.

 

[Fionab]

Interesting It never even dawned on me to to tip an instructor. I certainly always tip our dive crew on trips............but an instructor?? hummmm

Happy Diving

I am with Brad on this one, I am not a PADI pro, but some years ago I did do a DM course as a friend of mine wanted to do it so we did it together, never bothered with it since.

I am also a BSAC instructor but tipping isn't something that happens in the UK, BSAC instructors aren't paid by anyone we do it to put something back into the club, when I was undergoing my training I would pay for the instructor to get into training sites and would probably be the driver so they didn't have to pay petrol.

But tipping I don't see it is necessary, surely the instructor is being paid in the first place. Don't mind buying them a beer though.

 

[Scuba Brad]

I think there is always a place to say thanks..........IF its warrented. Just like bad service at a restaurant you could get one of "those" instructors who just retired as drill instructor. On the other hand, if a person is pleasant and goes out of their way to serve, who pays the "price" of something extra..........then I have no problem providing them something extra.......a nice dinner is my choice.

What they also will get out of this whole service thing is recommendations from me to get certified. I have now placed over 20 people with the dive shop I got my c-card from. When you consider all the gear they could have bought from me yet I refered them to the dive shop..............NOW that is a tip!

Happy Diving

 

[Cacia]

friscuba, I liked your point about the dinner dilemma. I have called a restaraunt and given x dolllars for dinner at a time of their choosing before. Daniel made a crisp point too "straight cash homey". pretty funny!
I usually tip ten dollars a day on vacation, which might seem cheap but I like having the option to do something else...or not.
I know I mentioned this before but I really dislike the poverty speeches some of the Instructors give here at the end. "I rely on your tips to stay in the country....wah, wah" I don't like being pressured. That sign on the parasail boat that says "Tipping is not a city in China" really is tacky.

 

[Lead_carrier]

We are doing jobs and most of us know it doesn't pay much. If we go out of our way and work extra, do something special then yes, we probably have earned a tip of some sort. Personally, I would rather receive a dinner with Catherine more than a $100 from daniel.

Usually a sincerce thank you and handshake from the guys or a hug from the ladies is more than enough tip for me.

 

[friscuba]

I agree. Tip the divemasters... they have the greatest influence on the quality of your dives, and that's what you're paying them for.

I don't agree with my life being in my instructor's or divemaster's hands though... my safety underwater is my own responsibility, and I'm not paying someone so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

The thought of tipping an instructor is hilarious to me. I just can't help picturing walking up to one of my University professors at the end of this semester and tipping them.

I don't know how your classes went... but mine were very much "We're going to get in the water, do these skills, and come back". I'm not tipping for that, that's instruction, and that's what I paid for in my course fees.

Now, if the situation and class affords the oppurtunity to "Get in the water, do our skills, explore the reef for a while, then head back", I'd be more inclined to tip. The instructor has gone beyond just teaching the class, and is making an effort to spend more time in the water with you making sure you enjoy yourself. I imagine that're more like how it is in Hawaii and other tropical locations.

Here in Alaska, it always seemed like my instructors hated being in the water, and couldn't get out fast enough.

I spent a whopping 108 minutes underwater for AOW, at a cost of $800 ($400 course fee, $100 rental gear, $300 trip to Valdez). There -might- have been an hour's worth of instruction at the surface.

I'm still bitter about that AOW course.... but that's already been discussed in another thread.

Bottom line, I'll tip the DMs something every trip. How much depends on how much effort they put into making sure I enjoy myself on the dive.

The instructors are going to have to do more than just teach the class requirements if they want to be tipped...

Good for you for realizing that your own underwater safety is your responsibility - I wish everyone had that particular belief.

Comparing a scuba instructor to a University Prof is ridiculous. Your are talking equating someone with a 7-10 day teaching methods and standards course under their belt with a Professional educator.

That said, I'm suspect the DMs is Alaska aren't getting squat and deserve tips. I can understand why one would not be inclined to tip instructors in that situation. The type of instruction you got deserves no tip, even if it was in an area that tips, but there are actully dive companies and instructors out there that will go the extra mile for their students.

But one cannot assume that one size fits all. Every area is differnet. To assume that DMs don't get paid is just wrong in many areas. As I said prior to this, the regular DMs outearn most instructors in Kona. Wouldn't surprise me if that's the case in lots of destination spots, although with labor and insurance laws being more lax in other countries that may not be the case. No instructor should ever expect tips, live by the tip - die by the tip.

Tip if you want, don't tip if you want, but a blanket policy based on some of the assumptions (comparing Instructors to Professors or Physicians, DMs never getting paid and such - I'm lumping in several of the arguments in the thread, not just picking at you, sorry) people have listed seems closemined to me. Every situation is different.

later,

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Never tip an Instructor. You pay the course fee. You pay for any additional instruction or any of his/her professional time.

Not necessarily. I am currently instructing two OW students who require more pool time than they paid for with the standard class fee. I will typically work out with my students (when this happens) that they cover the cost of the pool, and I'll donate my time to make sure they're comfortable before going to open water. I don't expect a tip, and I didn't get into instructing to make money ... I have a day job that pays me very well anyway, so the money's not important to me. I just want my students to be competent before I take them to the OW, and some people take longer than others to get there. I won't take them to OW until I think they're ready ... and I am willing to work with them as long as I think they're putting in a sincere effort. If their schedule is flexible enough, we'll piggy-back on pool time scheduled for another class. If not, all I ask is that they pay the additional expense of the pool ... my time is my own to do with as I please, and in this case it pleases me to spend the extra time with my students.

Once certified, I'll also make an effort to take my students out diving. Some have offered to pay for my time, but I tell them just to keep me in mind when they're ready for their next class.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)