Just curious if people don’t tip, tip less, or tip normally when they get bad service realizing many dive guides make their living off of tips.
Basic Examples:
1) Dive guide cannot find the correct dive site that you paid the shop extra for
2) Dive guide has, but will not give you the weight you ask for because they are to lazy to get it, because it is on a weight belt and you have integrated weights.
3) Dive guide will not allow you to take off your gear in the water when boarding because they have to lift it out of the water.
1... I really don't care where I am underwater. I almost think it's comical that people insist on going to different sites all the time... I could dive the same exact site several times in a row and enjoy it equally the 1st time and 10th time. Actually the 10th time may be MORE enjoyable, as I'd have my bearings and be able to navigate a significant amount on my own, with little thought or attention.
2... Yeah, I don't mind handling my own gear, and walking over to the weights to grab what I need. But with that in mind if the DM or Captain didn't ALLOW me to access the weights, or if they forced me to use a weight belt as opposed to giving me individual weights I'd tip very little, or nothing. It's my opinion that being able to ditch some of my weight (maybe just 1 of 2 pockets) in an emergency is better then ditching all my weights at once on a belt. That plus I use some weight on my cam band for trim. Although I'm sure I could make due with a weight belt if my BC failed (say the weight integrated pocket ripped??). I would NOT be happy if they held weights back from me...
3... I wouldn't expect the DM/ Captain to haul my gear out of the water for me. If I can't climb on a boat with my gear in place I shouldn't be doing that dive. If they suggested that I take my gear off to make getting into the boat simpler, I would not be opposed to that, but I wouldn't expect them to haul my gear onto the boat.
It's rare I tip less then $10/tank. Reason's I've tipped more include...
As a newer diver I would occasionally ask to shoot my SMB at the end of the dive (I still do this actually). Several times the guide was enthusiastic that a diver wants to work on a skill, at the end of the dive they approach me, we move slightly away from the group, and he watches as I shoot the SMB (possibly with a cutting tool in hand, should my newbie skills get me in trouble). I shoot the SMB, we surface, and on the boat ride back to the dock the DM may either confirm my actions, or give me pointers for the next time... maybe we even work on it later in the week together... BIG points (and a tip) for that DM... he/ she went out of their way to help me, and the best way I know how to reward them is a genuine, "thank you" and a tip handed to them personally post dive.
Talking to a DM pre-dive I explain I like to stay away from the group (I don't like being up their rear end, or letting the flock of divers kick me/ swim around me). The DM replies, "It's your dive, as long as your're off the coral, and safe, enjoy your time underwater". Again, I've asked several DM's this... and that's the answer I want... EXTRA tip for them... If they give me some BS answer, and expected something different, I'd tip less if their rules negatively impacted my dive.
Just a few examples... I don't EXPECT anything but some freedom. I don't want unnecessary/ dumb rules placed on me... that and anything I ask for, if you accommodate, you get some extra from me...
