Tipping in Roatan

[tboxcar]

Just returned from Roatan and I think this tipping thing is 'overdone', I stayed at Las Rocas Resort at the end of West Bay. Great Service and I left a tip when I left, of about 100 Lmp.
Let's remember this is a 3rd world country and us Americans make fools out of ourselves by giving US$20 or US$30 tips. Many of these people only get paid US$80 a month (bartender, maids) at the most. By giving big tips you ruin it for the 'next guy' who might not know 'our custom' or might not have a wallet full of US$20's to 'give away'. Tip where it's deserved and then do so accordingly! This is not America!!!!!!!

[GratefulDiver]

tboxcar once bubbled...
Let's remember this is a 3rd world country and us Americans make fools out of ourselves by giving US$20 or US$30 tips. Many of these people only get paid US$80 a month (bartender, maids) at the most. By giving big tips you ruin it for the 'next guy' who might not know 'our custom' or might not have a wallet full of US$20's to 'give away'. Tip where it's deserved and then do so accordingly! This is not America!!!!!!!

I disagree, but maybe it's just my inner socialist coming out.

I make a decent living and a $20 is not a big deal especially when I'm on vacation and if I get good service. So they only get $80US a month........ even more reason in my opinion to tip well. I have no problem with redistributing a little wealth to the people of Honduras. Perhaps I'm able to make life a little better for someone.

Bob

[RoatanMan]

Dropping 100 Lempiras as a tip on your way out of Las Rocas? I'm sure they'll remember you on your return trip! On a good day, that is worth about $5.80 U.S.

As Ralph Cramden once remarked, "I make it big, I spend it big!"

I find it a lot more useful to give my DM and Captain $20 each at the start of the week, it's amazing what they'll do to earn another $5-10 by the end of the week.

You get what you pay for.

[tboxcar]

Well Mr Roatan if you got it spend is about right, that perpetuates the quintessential attitude of Americans that is revolving around the world today. I have been diving from Australia to the Red Sea and back to Indonesia and never once have I tipped someone 'for doing there job,' maybe I have bought them a beer or whatever, but to go around tipping everyone for just doing there job reinforces what I have said above about Americans and how we are looked upon in the World.

[RoatanMan]

And how's that working out for you so far in Lake Tahoe?

[DandyDon]

That is, I may or may not tip for minimum "do the job" service, and if I do - not much.

But I usually enjoy gracious services and extras, for which I tip well. As I mentioned in a related thread, I fetl bad about tipping my boat Captain and DM last time I was in F-Island Roatan, and I was delighted to see them now working as Mangr and A-Mangr. I laid an extra $20 each on them, with my apologies and thanks.

I'm sure that help ensure a great week, but I do not tip in advance; that's too much like a bribe. I generally tip every day - as I did the maids I never saw, $2 a day - in case it was different ones, but this week I think I waited until the end. Capt & DM, $50 each, or it might have been more. Waitstaff as a group, $50. Extra $1 and $2 bills here and there at times during the week.

Tboxcar has to live with his choices. I am grateful to have been born in the U.S. land of plenty, and for so much more. I've driven through Coxen Hole and seen how many live. If I am to err, let me err on the side of gratitude.

And let me make up for some Ugly Americans...

don

[tboxcar]

Sorry Mr. Roatan, maybe I have been misunderstood, in Tahoe YES, we tip, sometimes 20% if it's great service. But we are talking about Roatan, Honduras "A 3rd world country". I spent a week or so In La Ceiba after Roatan and certainly did not see many locals tipping US$20 to their taxi drivers, but then again I guess you were not there??

[SweetDiver]

You know TBox, you have got to be the cheapest American. Or is it that you just can't afford to tip well. I'm thinking that may be the case. I know not everyone in America makes the cash to spend it....but don't go saying stuff like, oh Roatan is a third world country this and that bull Sh*t.....at least the people there get out and work for a living, even if it's not for much....They are humble and happy at least....you have Americans whom sit at home and collect umeployment checks, wellfare from the government, etc. etc. etc. Need I say more....Not everything, everywhere is it appears to be......
Anyways, like I said, cheap and ungrateful.....if you are one of those people who can afford to tip someone for a good service, and they wish to do so, let them do so......Like Don said, he is sharing his wealth with those who aren't wealthy, and that's what makes you as a person feel good about yourself....unfortunately, it's sad to say, but you seem like one of those people who only cares about yourself....

[tboxcar]

Sweet Diver or so your name implies? Yes, Honduras is a 3rd world country and I have been to alot of them. But you probably did not notice as you stayed couped up in your dive resort drinking budweiser and watching re-runs of "Seinfield".
I have been fortunate enough in my life to visit places like India, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia you name it!!( I can go on forever) My passport is the size of a phone book, I have seen poverty like you can't imagine, but I have a hard time comparing Roatan Honduras to any of the above countries I have listed above.
Just finished my 5th tour of Cambodia since '92, "where I felt sorry for the man with no shoes, until I met the man with no feet"!!! As they were blown off with a land mine.
My fellow diver in your short "sweet" life you have not seen crap! When it comes to poverty!!!!
My point is go ahead and tip, but you should think about keeping it in line with the standard of pay that the locals are receiving. Many of the bar staff I talked to were making around US$80 a month, so when somone tips a US$20, that is 1/4 of their monthly wage, and throws everything out of whack!!! Did you visit the mainland at all?? La Ceiba or San Pedro Sula, I am guessing not. Like alot of people visting this post they visit Roatan for one week and then go back home to the states, never getting close to the real Honduran People.
Just my opinion though, and sorry to those folks reading this who do go out and travel a bit, and see the 'real world'

[Damselfish]

tboxcar once bubbled...

My point is go ahead and tip, but you should think about keeping it in line with the standard of pay that the locals are receiving. Many of the bar staff I talked to were making around US$80 a month, so when somone tips a US$20, that is 1/4 of their monthly wage, and throws everything out of whack!!!

It's frequently said that many people in these jobs make alot of their income from tips. If someone wants to leave what you consider too generous a tip, what business is it of yours? I really doubt the recipient objects. And if it helps someone great. Are you afraid it makes you look bad if other people tip more?

[DandyDon]

Damselfish once bubbled...


It's frequently said that many people in these jobs make alot of their income from tips. If someone wants to leave what you consider too generous a tip, what business is it of yours? I really doubt the recipient objects. And if it helps someone great. Are you afraid it makes you look bad if other people tip more?

I gotta' say... :nono: No, I won't.

He makes me want to tip more, to offset people like him. :bonk:

[tboxcar]

As quoted
"It's frequently said that many people in these jobs make alot of their income from tips"

Now this is true in America to a great extent, especially in the food service and bar industry.

But everyone, get it out of your head, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT AMERICA, we are talking about a little Island off the coast of Honduras.
So why are you tipping someone 1/4 or their monthly wage?

If I recall tipping is for good service, it seems that many of you feel as though you are giving money to those who are less fortunate, in that case it's not tipping. It's Foreign Aid!!!

Travel a bit and see how the rest of the world is!

[Damselfish]

tboxcar once bubbled...
As quoted
"It's frequently said that many people in these jobs make alot of their income from tips"

Now this is true in America to a great extent, especially in the food service and bar industry.

But everyone, get it out of your head, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT AMERICA, we are talking about a little Island off the coast of Honduras.
So why are you tipping someone 1/4 or their monthly wage?

If I recall tipping is for good service, it seems that many of you feel as though you are giving money to those who are less fortunate, in that case it's not tipping. It's Foreign Aid!!!

Travel a bit and see how the rest of the world is!

If I recall, there are a variety of ways to figure tips. One common way is based on a percentage of whatever you paid for the service to begin with. Another is flat amounts for certain services. Yet another is simply what you feel it is worth...or not. I must say, I've never heard of calculating it as a percentage of someones annual income. (Nor would I ask someone's income in order to calculate it - but I'm sure you'll say that's an American thing too!)

[tboxcar]

Yet another is simply what you feel it is worth...or not. I must say, I've never heard of calculating it as a percentage of someones annual income. (Nor would I ask someone's income in order to calculate it - but I'm sure you'll say that's an American thing too!)

Neither have I heard of this method, as it was only a comparison. But a good one at that. I worked in Australia for 10 years, and recall several times being pulled aside after leaving a tip on the bar and plainly told "Don't start that stuff over here", the person meant to say, Tipping is an American custom and should be left there!!!!
Things have changed a bit there since then, but as my Kiwi friend once said, why tip them they are just doing there job!!!!

"Get out an travel, it will do you some good" and the Carribean does not count.:(

[DandyDon]

tboxcar once bubbled...
[I]...as my Kiwi friend once said, why tip them they are just doing there job!!!!


I guess I have two reasons for trying to tip well:

(1) When I visit a country where natives typically live in poverty, I am there as a paying guest, but nonetheless - a guest. I am there to utilize the country's resources and perhaps enjoy lower prices which are usually a direct reflection of the fact that the people serving me are living in poverty. To tip $5.80 for a week would be abusive of me. :boom: I am a healthier and happier person when I live a program of gratitude.

(2) Unless they are just doing there job. If the native worker is only "doing their job," I'd be disappointed in poorer services than I usually enjoy. I am happy to say that I enjoy good services, and I tip mostly to reinforce this!

I wonder if the cheepo gets as good of service as I do? I wonder if they can tell that he is a selfish tightwad, and there's no point in doing more than their job?

But I do agree on a couple of exceptions: (a) if the local custom discourages tipping, I'll limit myself to giving out my personal business pens, and (b) I ignore tip jars that strike me as excessive, like a retail outlet where the employee is only doing their job, i.e. a clerk at a convenience store.

don

[tboxcar]

I wonder if the cheepo gets as good of service as I do? I wonder if they can tell that he is a selfish tightwad, and there's no point in doing more than their job?

You seem pretty quick when it comes to judging people, and even quicker when judging a person's character on how much they tip. So I guess all my mates in Australia and New Zealand are 'cheepos' ? I can take one look at your Profile (photo) and make a judgment about you as well, but I won't stoop to personal 'pot shots', as the subject of this thread is "Tipping in Roatan"
It's amazing on this web board how fast certain individuals have been about slamming me personally when I am just expressing my opinion and have not directed 'cannon fire' personally on them.
I guess that says a lot about people today and how quick they are to judge others.
Don, if you ever visit India or Nepal hope you bring alot of business pens.

[DandyDon]

:HAHAHA: :money: :hehe:

[Damselfish]

tboxcar once bubbled...
[I]
It's amazing on this web board how fast certain individuals have been about slamming me personally when I am just expressing my opinion and have not directed 'cannon fire' personally on them.
I guess that says a lot about people today and how quick they are to judge others.


Hmmm, what is "Get out an travel, it will do you some good"

I certainly agree that one shouldn't tip if it is not the local custom. I have not been to Roatan, and don't know what the custom is there. If the custom is to not tip, than you shouldn't have even left what you did. If that's not the custom, bringing up the point that it's the custom other places is not relevant. After all, as you say, the subject is "Tipping in Roatan."

It's definitely time to unsubscribe from this thread...

[jhelmuth]

tboxcar,

It really only comes down to this...

You want to influence others to tip "appropriately" according to a standard that you feel is acceptable. Fine. You've suggested it, and we reject it. As long as your conscience doesn't nag at you, you'll have no objection if we decide for ourselves what is appropriate (since we allow you that freedom as well).
I can't leave this post without justifying my own philosophy on tipping in 3rd world countries...
I have been one of the fortunate few who inhabit the earth in a country that affords me the ability to earn more in a week than most see in a year. When I consider that, as I observe the unfavorable conditions and life that these people are born to, I thank God for his blessings he has seen fit to bestow upon me and try to impart some of my wealth to those who are not as fortunate as I. It may not be much in my eyes (15-20% of the services/goods I am charged for), but I do feel that I am acting as a good citizen to extend my gratitude and thanks in a way that will help them improve their lives. To be honest, I usually regret that I didn't do more. They may or may not remember me - but that is not the point. They share their life and beautiful country with me. I want them to enjoy that time spent and if there are positive changes from that - great. I think we all realize deep down inside that we are all connected to one another in some way. I think that is why it makes a great deal of sense to share. They share their wealth (diving, time, etc.) with me, and I return the favor as best I can. If you don't get it - no big deal. I don't hold you accountable to my standards or opinions. But please extend me the same courtesy.

[tboxcar]

Hmmm, what is "Get out an travel, it will do you some good"

So Damselfish you consider the advice to travel a personal attack? or what? I was just suggesting that traveling to exotic foreign places opens up ones eyes to what really goes on in the World, rather than sitting around and getting all your info. from CNN.

Back to your statement quote

I have not been to Roatan, and don't know what the custom is there

But you have written 3 or 4 post on this thread, and I assumed you had been to Roatan, and had a clue what we were talking about, and now your telling me to find a new thread!! Hmmm, just what do you guys smoke in Boston!!!

:confused:

[DandyDon]

tboxcar once bubbled...
[I]Don, if you ever visit India or Nepal hope you bring alot of business pens.

India or Nepal? I thought we were talking about Roatan?

don

[ScubaTim]

I have grown up/lived in, as you say, "third world countries" and have found that you who push the fact that they have spent time in these so called countries really have little clue to what the lifestyles or beliefs really are. I don't care how many tours you have been on. I am a very proud American but I wish I had a buck for every ignorant jerk American I have witnessed! Your post has very little to do with tipping but a lot about how you feel your opinion "has" to be right! Give me a break! Tip what you feel is right but more importantly treat people right! You are a guest in their world, if you can not accept that go somewhere else!

[DandyDon]

Sorry about the cheap fellow. :waaaa: I think most divers want to be gracious guests in less privledged countries, and tipping for good service is only decent.

Welcome to Scuba Board, but you haven't introduced yourself on the Intro Forum, have you? Wish you would, so we can welcome you properly...

thanks, don