Jackie
Contributor
My husband will have a private dive master. How much should he tip him and the crew?
Tipping question
- Thread starter Jackie
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oh goodie. another tipping thread. my favorite. 
He's paying him to be a private DM, right?
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You're already paying for a private DM why more for a tip? The boat dive crew, another question.
I would tip what you would normally tip and ask that he share the tip with the crew. Why quibble over a few dollars.
I would tip what you would normally tip and ask that he share the tip with the crew. Why quibble over a few dollars.
It's actually an interesting question because it gets into the difference between tipping an employee versus an independent contract or owner. When I order a $10 drink at a bar I know the bartender is not getting the $10 but is getting paid a low wage that probably relies on tipping to be decent so I tip. When I pay $80 for a 2-tank dive trip I know the captain and DM aren't getting the $80 so I tip.
But if you're hiring a private DM for $50 then what exactly is the arrangement? Is he getting the $50? Is there a revenue sharing deal? Is he turning it over to the shop and getting a typical DM stipend? Or worse, getting nothing at all except what you tip?
If he's pocketing the whole $50 I wouldn't see the need to tip but if he's turning most or all of it over to the shop then tipping is very much in order.
But if you're hiring a private DM for $50 then what exactly is the arrangement? Is he getting the $50? Is there a revenue sharing deal? Is he turning it over to the shop and getting a typical DM stipend? Or worse, getting nothing at all except what you tip?
If he's pocketing the whole $50 I wouldn't see the need to tip but if he's turning most or all of it over to the shop then tipping is very much in order.
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