SteveDiver
Contributor
I just bought a gift for my instructor from the lds.
Tipping instructor?
- Thread starter jmyva
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GDCB
Guest
Catherine wrote:
can I put out an idea? (I am not saying don't tip!)
I prefer to take someone to dinner, bring them a killer lunch or something before the class (or whatever) is over. You will both appreciate the vibes and you will get special treatment! If you "front-load", you will get better service and better accomadation. You can be sincere about it by the way. I am totally over the entire tip protoccol, myself. I am generous, make me like you, thats my attitude. You know...like a bribe, but nicer.
__________________
catherine of
Catherine you changed your avitar and it's still the hottest thing on this board... Oh ya my point... I took my instructor to lunch during the coarse and bought her and the asst. instructor dinner and drinks at the ocean during our dive weekend. It ran about $100.00 but for me was well worth it. It wasn't just money out, it was making new friends and showing my appreciation.
Carl
ps. From some of the stories I've heard on SB she was an excellent instructor. I've done so many fin pivots I see them in my sleep. Also we spent hours reading waves. I saw so many people get trashed in the surf. Then we just got right through it because she prepared us.
can I put out an idea? (I am not saying don't tip!)
I prefer to take someone to dinner, bring them a killer lunch or something before the class (or whatever) is over. You will both appreciate the vibes and you will get special treatment! If you "front-load", you will get better service and better accomadation. You can be sincere about it by the way. I am totally over the entire tip protoccol, myself. I am generous, make me like you, thats my attitude. You know...like a bribe, but nicer.
__________________
catherine of
Catherine you changed your avitar and it's still the hottest thing on this board... Oh ya my point... I took my instructor to lunch during the coarse and bought her and the asst. instructor dinner and drinks at the ocean during our dive weekend. It ran about $100.00 but for me was well worth it. It wasn't just money out, it was making new friends and showing my appreciation.
Carl
ps. From some of the stories I've heard on SB she was an excellent instructor. I've done so many fin pivots I see them in my sleep. Also we spent hours reading waves. I saw so many people get trashed in the surf. Then we just got right through it because she prepared us.
divekyra
Guest
As I once worked as a dive instructor in the philippines but then in Cozumel for 5 years I hope you'll notice my reply. I saw pages and pages of replies and read as many as I could but I don't think I saw one from someone who actually lives in Cozumel.
Tipping is a way of survival in Cozumel. I worked from a shop getting people who come and stay for days for the first 2 years. I had no salary and lived on commision alone. No work no pay. No benefits either. And living there doesn't mean we get 'local" prices, we must pay the same for beer as the tourist, the same for food etc. It gets pricey. In the end I paid $750 amonth for rent and my little home had nothing special to it. You do the math.
The next 3 years I mostly worked for one company who takes care of all the cruise ship people. Here's the math (for 2001 when I left Cozumel ok): The guy pays up to $90 for his dive on the boat. The boat keeps his cut, the boat pays the port per person getting off the boat, the boat pays my boss. My boss pays me. I get $9 of that. The buy who paid $90 feels fleeced and is sure we are getting a decent cut of it. The boat wants to keep the $ on board so tells the people not to take money with them or tip the people on the island. If they bring money, for some odd reason they always felt obliged to tip Taxi drivers (who are a UNION and if you are from the US you know they are taken care of) as much as $5 for a 5 minute ride. For some reason they hardly tipped us, the ones who kept them from drowning, scraping themselves on fire coral etc.
I am not giving you a sob story. In truth I made a habit of not expecting a tip since they are rare. But I will tell you this:
1) they helped pay my bills
2) I was always grateful
3) better than beer, not all divers are drinkers.
Take care and tip if you think the instructor deserves it, always. Also in Cozumel, be careful, captains and dive guides don't always share tips, so it may be better to pay them separately.
Tipping is a way of survival in Cozumel. I worked from a shop getting people who come and stay for days for the first 2 years. I had no salary and lived on commision alone. No work no pay. No benefits either. And living there doesn't mean we get 'local" prices, we must pay the same for beer as the tourist, the same for food etc. It gets pricey. In the end I paid $750 amonth for rent and my little home had nothing special to it. You do the math.
The next 3 years I mostly worked for one company who takes care of all the cruise ship people. Here's the math (for 2001 when I left Cozumel ok): The guy pays up to $90 for his dive on the boat. The boat keeps his cut, the boat pays the port per person getting off the boat, the boat pays my boss. My boss pays me. I get $9 of that. The buy who paid $90 feels fleeced and is sure we are getting a decent cut of it. The boat wants to keep the $ on board so tells the people not to take money with them or tip the people on the island. If they bring money, for some odd reason they always felt obliged to tip Taxi drivers (who are a UNION and if you are from the US you know they are taken care of) as much as $5 for a 5 minute ride. For some reason they hardly tipped us, the ones who kept them from drowning, scraping themselves on fire coral etc.
I am not giving you a sob story. In truth I made a habit of not expecting a tip since they are rare. But I will tell you this:
1) they helped pay my bills
2) I was always grateful
3) better than beer, not all divers are drinkers.
Take care and tip if you think the instructor deserves it, always. Also in Cozumel, be careful, captains and dive guides don't always share tips, so it may be better to pay them separately.
Meerised
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jmyva:
Hi, if you tip the instructor, please also make it clear, or tip separate the guys who are filling tanks, taking care of the equipment, and the boat crew. they are usually forgotten and just as important as the instructor. without them it all goes wrong..
The instructors almost never "share" the tips they receive from clients. A lunch or diner which you give as a tip can never be shared with his co-workers.
Think about that.
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It is different everywhere. I have noticed that the places where people need it the most, they are the ones pressuring the least. Tips in Cozumel are important and I agree about the Taxi drivers. I did not like the cab drivers in Cozumel , they were very harsh and bullied me. I wanted a cab that was not "next in line". It was nicer, cleaner, the guy looked nicer (smiling), it was air conditioned. Well, the taxi mafia made a big stink. I said "hey, I can pick any taxi I want.....Bruta!" Anyway, I digress. Get a driver you like, get his card and call him every time. he will be there in a flash in Coz. You will get better treatment and better inside scoop. Taxi mafias are my pet peeve. The ones that have airport privileges are the worst.
Back on topic, I have found if I tip everyone (the captain, the DM's, etc) It gets to be a bit overwhelming and confusing, so I think they need to work out the share business. I am not getting into that...If you are drifting something like Peleilu Express, I tip the captain before I get in. How tacky is that?
Back on topic, I have found if I tip everyone (the captain, the DM's, etc) It gets to be a bit overwhelming and confusing, so I think they need to work out the share business. I am not getting into that...If you are drifting something like Peleilu Express, I tip the captain before I get in. How tacky is that?
I am a big believer of tipping when the service warrants a "gratuity", not just because a tip is expected.
When I took my class, my LDS was going to cancel the class/pool since I was the only one who signed up. Due to scheduling issues, this was going to prevent me from being certified before I went on a trip to Hawaii. The shop arranged for the instructor to conduct the class one-on-one. The quality of instruction was great and, of course, I got personal attention. I felt that a tip was warranted, but the instructor's real job is an executive at a multi-national corporation, so cash really wouldn't mean much. However, I got him a gift certificate for a local restaurant that I thought he would like. As it turned out, he had made plans to go there with his family already so it was a good guess that he might like the place. He was very appreciative.
When I did my AOW class on Maui, I also was treated well by the instructor who put in a very long day - from the boat at 6:30 am to a night dive that we completed around 9 PM.. I got him a gift certificate for a local restaurant.
When diving from a boat, I tip when service has been good and the crew actually has done something for me. I have been on boats where you get no interaction from the crew and really no service. In this case, no tip. However, where the DM loads my gear, gives a good briefing, interacts with me during surface intervals, debriefs, helps ID fish observed on the dive, etc., that is usually an indicator of quality service when I will tip. Since boat crew often may only get tips, I try to keep this in mind when tipping accordingly.
Remember, a tip is a gratuity (not a requirement) which should be given when one is gratuitous. If a tip is deserved, it shouldnt be necessary for anyone to point out the location of the tip jar. If a tip is warranted, it should be forthcoming directly.
When I took my class, my LDS was going to cancel the class/pool since I was the only one who signed up. Due to scheduling issues, this was going to prevent me from being certified before I went on a trip to Hawaii. The shop arranged for the instructor to conduct the class one-on-one. The quality of instruction was great and, of course, I got personal attention. I felt that a tip was warranted, but the instructor's real job is an executive at a multi-national corporation, so cash really wouldn't mean much. However, I got him a gift certificate for a local restaurant that I thought he would like. As it turned out, he had made plans to go there with his family already so it was a good guess that he might like the place. He was very appreciative.
When I did my AOW class on Maui, I also was treated well by the instructor who put in a very long day - from the boat at 6:30 am to a night dive that we completed around 9 PM.. I got him a gift certificate for a local restaurant.
When diving from a boat, I tip when service has been good and the crew actually has done something for me. I have been on boats where you get no interaction from the crew and really no service. In this case, no tip. However, where the DM loads my gear, gives a good briefing, interacts with me during surface intervals, debriefs, helps ID fish observed on the dive, etc., that is usually an indicator of quality service when I will tip. Since boat crew often may only get tips, I try to keep this in mind when tipping accordingly.
Remember, a tip is a gratuity (not a requirement) which should be given when one is gratuitous. If a tip is deserved, it shouldnt be necessary for anyone to point out the location of the tip jar. If a tip is warranted, it should be forthcoming directly.
AlexRodriguez
Contributor
RadRob:
I agree 100% espicaly if some of the heat rubs off on me.
Alex
Never really thought about tipping a SCUBA instructor. Seems logical though as its pretty common to tip your ski instructors on the slopes and everyone likes to equate the cost of skiing and diving.
For those of you who complain that "hey they already got 300 of my money why more" realize the expenses the instructors have, that are often tranparent to you for the $300. 1) Maintenance on equipment they supply you. 2) Pool fees (often included). 3) Open water fees (often included) 4) Materials they supply (books, tables, videos, and certification cards aren't cheap) 5) Liability insurance the instructor has to have.
It varies with the area, volume of students, and resources, but bottom line the most an instructor might take home per student is about $100 after expenses. Do the math of how many hours he or she has spent with you, and see what the hourly rate turns out to be. We aren't instructors to make a million dollars. Most of us are instructors to share our love of diving and introduce people the the wonders of the underwater world.
I think bottom line ... you should reward good service ... whether monetarily, or with a gift or kind jesture. You ARE trusting your life to them ...
For those of you who complain that "hey they already got 300 of my money why more" realize the expenses the instructors have, that are often tranparent to you for the $300. 1) Maintenance on equipment they supply you. 2) Pool fees (often included). 3) Open water fees (often included) 4) Materials they supply (books, tables, videos, and certification cards aren't cheap) 5) Liability insurance the instructor has to have.
It varies with the area, volume of students, and resources, but bottom line the most an instructor might take home per student is about $100 after expenses. Do the math of how many hours he or she has spent with you, and see what the hourly rate turns out to be. We aren't instructors to make a million dollars. Most of us are instructors to share our love of diving and introduce people the the wonders of the underwater world.
I think bottom line ... you should reward good service ... whether monetarily, or with a gift or kind jesture. You ARE trusting your life to them ...
Tipping? Gesh.
Some may consider this cheap, oh well. I don't my server at a restaurant for this reason... I don't feel I need to subsidize there income because of a poor carrer choice. I paid for my food, paid the extra for the said food ... For the service of having it brought to me and cleaned up after me.
Now a instructor sure he/she might not be making great money or any at all... But I didn't make them go in to this carrer path. They are also living their life the way I only wish I could, in the ocean on a daily basis. I believe the best instructors teach not for the money but for passion of passing on their knowledge to other divers and having them share in their love of the ocean.
All my instrcutors have been great people and in lieu of tipping I pass the word around friends and co-workers. They in return take their first steps in to the diving world and some continue... All based on my recomindations....
So yeah... I am sure not a popular view but it's mine...
B
Some may consider this cheap, oh well. I don't my server at a restaurant for this reason... I don't feel I need to subsidize there income because of a poor carrer choice. I paid for my food, paid the extra for the said food ... For the service of having it brought to me and cleaned up after me.
Now a instructor sure he/she might not be making great money or any at all... But I didn't make them go in to this carrer path. They are also living their life the way I only wish I could, in the ocean on a daily basis. I believe the best instructors teach not for the money but for passion of passing on their knowledge to other divers and having them share in their love of the ocean.
All my instrcutors have been great people and in lieu of tipping I pass the word around friends and co-workers. They in return take their first steps in to the diving world and some continue... All based on my recomindations....
So yeah... I am sure not a popular view but it's mine...
B
GlazierB:
Harsh perspective. Tipping seems to be situational (as forum members elaborate) vs. the carte blanche ideaology you expound. I would suggest traveling to the Indian subcontinent where a tip can mean the difference of whether the kids eat that night.
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