Tipping Instructor

[Scubasteve1982]

I'm not going to say any names here but, After I completed my OW dives my instructor mentioned that tipping instructor's was common practice. I did tip the boat crew but didn't tip my instructor. I figured I was already giving him a bunch of cash and didn't need to.

 

[Hawaii Scuba Divers]

Tipping is NEVER EXPECTED but if MYSELF or Crew exceeded your needs then Thank You can come in many form the easiest is Tipping with Money.

 

[adjuster-jd]

I tipped all my instructors from OW class/pool through rescue. My class/pool session was one-on-one and I gave the instructor who was a local corporate executive a gift certificate for a local restaurant that he liked. My advanced course was on Maui and I again gave the instructor a gift certificate for a restaurant. Don't remember what I gave the rescue instructor (my local course director who now owns the store I work for).
My view is that I was treated well by all of these folks - my open water instructor was and still is a role model for me.
None of these folks were making much money teaching diving, especially the folks here in Ohio.

As an instructor now, I have been tipped once - a student that I had in the pool gave me a gift certificate to our store. I was thrilled and felt greatly honored..

My view of tipping instructors is the same as tipping any other service person - if you feel you got exceptional service, a tip might be a good idea - should not be expected but would be greatly appreciated.

 

[leapfrog]

I prefer a six pack, an invitation to a meal (had quite a few of those) or referral business, the best tip of all!

 

[on_two_wheels]

Yeah....tipping is out of control. However, I do tip the mechanics that work on my bike because I want to know I won't get screwed later. It's a small investment for a big return. However, last time I used an In N Out gift card.

As for instructors, I've only had one so far. I was thinking of tipping him until 2 out of 5 students ran out of air on our first deep dive. Then he got upset because the DM questioned why he was bringing students back OOA after hearing us talking.

I'll tip my next instructor if he does a good job. He's teaching me things that could possibly save my life. Hell, I'd have given my drill sergeants $1000 dollars if I knew what their training would mean to me later. That said, my tip will probably consist of a gift card so rather than tipping him, I'm buying him lunch, a couple beers, whatever.

 

[The Kraken]

The instructor is paid for doing the job, period.

What the heck is it nowadays that everyone expects to receive a "tip" for that which they were hired to do?

OK, so do I go in to my next job (Quality Assurance Manager) and say, "Hey, do I get tips too?".

Why do I need to tip the person that changes the sheets in my motel room? That's what they were hired to do. Do I tip on military corners? Do I need to bounce a quarter off the covers?

Why do I need to "tip" the postal carrier. Geeeeezzzzz!!!!! They've got a whole lot more and better benefits and retirement than I !!!

I'm really kind of fed up with all this superfluous tipping stuff!.



OK, I'm through now . . .

the K

(PS: I'm an instructor)

 

[adjuster-jd]

I dont know what they pay instructors in your part of the world but here it works out to be about minimum wage or less when you calculate all the time involved. Add to that the cost of insurance, gas to/from the dive site, etc and many of us around here are paying to teach. We teach because we like to share our passion for diving and maybe we can develop a few new dive buddies out of the class, or folks who might go on a trip with us..
For me a simple thank you from my students is just fine. Some small token would be incredibly appreciated but really, for me, the best tip I can get is to see these folks out diving again... I strive to be the diving role model that my open water instructor was to me.

 

[The Kraken]

Well, as I always say, "ya knEw what they wuz a payin when ya took the job."

If you want more, ask for it up front.

the K

 

[Pearldiver07]

I've always accepted the tip graciously if the customer persisted, then provided it to my DMs.

But one student noticed my love of good coffee. I found a pound of good whole bean sitting in the shop waiting for me. That didn't get handed away.

I would say though, if you're doing this for a primary source of income, I say tipping is appropriate, up to 15-20% TOTAL (let them split it). Hey, service industry has always worked for low base + tips.

And for The Kraken, IMHO, QA is anything but a service industry!

That's my 2 bar, for what it's worth.

 

[Pearldiver07]

Oh, maybe we were all confused.

Did they mean "tipping" in terms of pushing the instructor over? If so, then by all means, the same to all who taught!