It never fails to amuse me how this particular topic always seems to evoke an emotional discussion.
I am an American and I was brought up in a tipping society. I usually tip for good service, but I do not allow some arbitrary formula or expectation determine the amount of the tip I leave.
I also do not generally tip if there a mandatory "service charge" applied since I am tipping for good service. In the states the "service charge is usually applied when your group exceeds a specific number and I understand it ensures the "crew" whether restaurant or some other crew get something(mandatory tip) for the effort. I dislike this custom and will not tip twice.
In regards to tipping "foreign" DM's or Instructors, I will tip them on the same scale I tip the locals. IMHO a foreign DM has made the choice to move to a distant land can not expect to be treated any different than a local guy or gal with whom he is competing, often under the table/illegally. Finally, being a DM or Instructor is not a real difficult profession and if someone enters into it expecting to make a wage similar to what they make in their home country(doing something else) they have not thought their decision through.
Cheers,
Roger
I am an American and I was brought up in a tipping society. I usually tip for good service, but I do not allow some arbitrary formula or expectation determine the amount of the tip I leave.
I also do not generally tip if there a mandatory "service charge" applied since I am tipping for good service. In the states the "service charge is usually applied when your group exceeds a specific number and I understand it ensures the "crew" whether restaurant or some other crew get something(mandatory tip) for the effort. I dislike this custom and will not tip twice.
In regards to tipping "foreign" DM's or Instructors, I will tip them on the same scale I tip the locals. IMHO a foreign DM has made the choice to move to a distant land can not expect to be treated any different than a local guy or gal with whom he is competing, often under the table/illegally. Finally, being a DM or Instructor is not a real difficult profession and if someone enters into it expecting to make a wage similar to what they make in their home country(doing something else) they have not thought their decision through.
Cheers,
Roger