Tipping

[wrinkles]

Please do not come anywhere near my work place...with guests like you i wouldnt be able to afford diving...

 

[Dyno Bill]

Nice Wrinkles, if the folks posting this thread were working for the wage the crews on the boats were getting there wouldnt be any liveaboard trips being bought. They work for a wage, not a BIG one and tips. They do need to be the do all to see that everyone who paid for a seat has a good time. And that doesnt cover the one other part, at least here in So cal if you get into trouble the DM on the boat will come get you. He wont say its too dangerous or hes not in the mood. He will go in harms way if need be to see that you get back to the starting point so when you have had a fun safe day remember the people that were at least partly responsible for the adventure and the way you felt warm and fuzzy while you were kicking around down there.
Bill

 

[raviepoo]

Any I've travelled with have recommended at least 10%

metridium once bubbled...


Take it up with the operators who recommend that amount. If they're happy with the quality of the crew and there isn't excessive turnover, then it would tend to mean that the level of tipping is satisfactory, no?

 

[bluebanded goby]

Here's a slightly different angle on the question ...

On my favorite dive boat here in Southern California, as the boat is heading back toward port everyone goes to the galley to settle their bill. There's a cigar box on the counter marked TIPS. Even when I'm on boats when the basic fees are paid in advance, a tip box usually comes out toward the latter part of the trip.

However, I'm wondering about tip etiquette in more of one-on-one type situations. Let's say you hire a DM to take you on an escorted shore dive somewhere you don't usually dive. The DM's fee is paid separately via a shop. After you finish the dive and are getting ready to say goodbye, do you try to artfully say, "Hey that was a great dive, here, let me give you this?"

Or you're diving in the tropics on a little panga, and you're not sure that you'll see the DM again after you leave the boat. Do you need to have the cash ready at this point? Or would you wait until you're changed, go to the dive shop and say, "This is for Moses," and hope the DM gets it?

 

[Dyno Bill]

In my opinion, you always want to give something to the DM personally. Its a type of thank you for a good time. After all he's the one who was wet with you instead of being at the BBQ. Just my opinion.
Bill

 

[MikeJacobs]

This has been a terrific thread - I've always been a little insecure about what & how to tip...

bluebanded goby once bubbled...
SNIP... I'm wondering about tip etiquette in more of one-on-one type situations. Let's say you hire a DM to take you on an escorted shore dive somewhere you don't usually dive... Or you're not sure that you'll see the DM again after you leave the boat. Do you need to have the cash ready at this point? Or would you wait until you're changed, go to the dive shop and say, "This is for Moses," and hope the DM gets it?

I always tip directly. If I know the DM from prior trips I even tip before we leave dock... as you imply in your question it's more hassle to do so later, although often as a result the DM pays too much attention to us - unnecessary and sometimes embarrasing.

As for your second question, while I'm sure the tip would get to the DM through the dive shop when you miss him/her directly, I like to look somebody in the eye when I express gratitude. I'm sure they prefer it, too. JMHO, of course.

 

[deepstops]

bluebanded goby once bubbled...
Here's a slightly different angle on the question ...

On my favorite dive boat here in Southern California, as the boat is heading back toward port everyone goes to the galley to settle their bill. There's a cigar box on the counter marked TIPS. Even when I'm on boats when the basic fees are paid in advance, a tip box usually comes out toward the latter part of the trip.

However, I'm wondering about tip etiquette in more of one-on-one type situations. Let's say you hire a DM to take you on an escorted shore dive somewhere you don't usually dive. The DM's fee is paid separately via a shop. After you finish the dive and are getting ready to say goodbye, do you try to artfully say, "Hey that was a great dive, here, let me give you this?"

Or you're diving in the tropics on a little panga, and you're not sure that you'll see the DM again after you leave the boat. Do you need to have the cash ready at this point? Or would you wait until you're changed, go to the dive shop and say, "This is for Moses," and hope the DM gets it?

If someone on the boat goes out of their way to my direct benefit, I don't hesitate to make a point of publicly giving that person a separate tip from the rest of the crew. Example: I was gearing up for a night dive last week, putting my fins on at the back of the boat and dropped one of my jetfins. The DM jumped in the water and had my fin back in my hand in about three seconds and in turn, got a $10 tip in addition to the $10 I put in the tip jar.

 

[alanconstant]

This is a good discussion.

I regard 10% for a two-tank trip the base, but have always tipped more b/c the DM's have been knowledgeable and helpful. That comes out to $15-20 for the two of us.

If I might piggyback...

How (not how much), do you tip for a five day package? We are going to Cozumel--should we tip each day, at the end, or both (eg. 10-15% each day and 5% on the last day)?

Thanks,

Alan

 

[Charlie99]

alanconstant once bubbled...
How (not how much), do you tip for a five day package? We are going to Cozumel--should we tip each day, at the end, or both (eg. 10-15% each day and 5% on the last day)?

... because you may have different boat crew or DM on different days. If a particular boat crew or DM has impressed me with their skill or attitude, I mention it to the dive shop manager at the end of the trip.

 

[MikeJacobs]

alanconstant once bubbled...
How (not how much), do you tip for a five day package? We are going to Cozumel--should we tip each day, at the end, or both (eg. 10-15% each day and 5% on the last day)?

Alan, I once asked and was told that the tips were pooled, like parking attendants might do. I asked on another trip, and was told they didn't. So, IMO it might be good policy to ask and then tip according to the local custom... what do you think?