Tipping outside the Americas

[kneptoon]

I am going to Fakarava and Rangiroa in a few weeks and wondered what the protocol for tipping dive operators will be. I have heard it is unwelcome in dive destinations that cater predominately to European and Aus/NZ travelers. What's expected? Thanks

 

[Wingy]

It's not the done thing with the French ops, I'd be surprised if you tipped anyone anything in Rangi or Fakarava or anywhere in FP without it being somewhat insulting.

 

[gekodivebali]

Tipping is never unwelcome, nor insulting ( the exception being tipping ridiculously low amounts like a quarter of a dollar in Indonesia).
The fact that tipping is not compulsory, nor expected in places like Europe or Japan does not make it pointless.
Most people in diving earn very little. This is true in any location including very expensive ones like French Polynesia. In such conditions, any help is welcomed...

 

[Wingy]

That must be why the lady at the general store sent her kid to find me when I left a 500cpf coin on the counter! - its not an expected thing, theres a tips jar on the counter at lili cafe but as far as it being factored in as a standard price US style, no, as far as it being a custom to put in for the boat crew SE Asia style, not in my experience.

 

[gekodivebali]

Lol
Diving with the general store in a cafe called lili located on a dive boat in southeast asia... I'm getting confused, time for me to go to bed!

 

[Wingy]

If you'd been to Rangiroa it would make perfect sense

 

[gekodivebali]

Maybe it would too, if you used correct punctuation and grammatically sound syntax...

 

[Wingy]

Oh, my apologies, I was trying to answer the OPs question about the polynesian culture. I thought that was more important than grammar late on a sunday night.

Aeto Pea Pea.

 

[gekodivebali]

Are most of the guides and instructors you've been diving with in Polynesia from French mainland or from Polynesia?

 

[Wingy]

They are french polynesians. Which makes absolutely no difference to the OPs question. If it fascinates you so much perhaps you should go and experience it for yourself.