it's means more than you'd think
When traveling to a dive destination, rather if you’re in a large dive group or by yourself, tipping may be important. This guide will help you understand why we should tip as divers, when to tip, how much to tip, who to tip, and when not to tip.
why do we tip?
As an influencer of our local diving community, we want our hobby to be enjoyable all around. For divers to get wet, it takes a lot of labor intensive steps and multiple people. The operations to make boat diving possible might consist of: boat captains, instructors, dive masters, boat crew, and the dock crew. We also can’t forget about the people back on store making the job possible: fill station technicians, maintenance crew, and dive shop staff. We all know how the past couple of years have affected the travel industry – this also means the individuals whom relied on dive travel were laid off or just not paid at all. All the recommended tips vary by location and date.
tipping the dive operation
If you leave less than the standard tip, that can affect that worker financially. As divers, we see their job as this amazing paradise-like job. To these people, this is their daily life and how they feed their family. We usually say that tipping at least $5 per dive is customary. Also, if one of the people on the boat assist you more than the others, don’t be afraid to give that person a little extra.
If you are diving for an extended time of diving with the same dive operation, feel free to tip at the end of your trip. If you’re diving on a daily basis, tip before you get off the boat. The reason we choose to tip the people directly on the boat, is so we can make sure they receive our thanks. Unfortunately, there are some dive shop businesses who might hold back some of your tip before dispersing it.
THOSE WHO ARE MISSED...
When we think of tipping during traveling, we usually think of those helping us on the boat. However we can’t forget about those who are usually missed but are also just as reliant on tips. After arriving at your destination, make sure to tip the shuttle drivers and valet (maybe $2-5). These individuals rely on tips as part of their income and sometimes work 12+ hour shifts with no days off. House keeping is also usually missed but a small tip can add up for them. For tipping housekeeping, place your tip (1 or 2 dollars) on your pillow and not on tables or dressers. That way they know it is a tip for them.
Stock up on small bills
If you carry only tens, twenties, and hundreds, you might be running the risk of over tipping someone for their service. Of course we’d love to have great service everywhere, but for someone who receives hundreds in an hour, it’s not worth a 20 dollar bill. For those who travel on an annual basis, we usually say to keep a jar and collect all the 1’s and 5’s you have. That way when it’s time for your vacation your tips for the week are paid for.
if your budget is tight, it's okay to skip some services
We were all there at some point. Maybe taxes hit right before your trip or that car payment was due the week you get back; it’s okay to ‘thin’ out your tipping. For example: if you arrive to the airport at some travel destinations, make sure you handle your own luggage. Make your part impactful to their job. Maybe you ran out of 1’s for the week – maybe get up early and tidy up your hotel room – that way their job gets a little easier.
gratuities
Now this is a MUST for us frequent travelers. When you eat at a nice restaurant, make sure you read the fine print on your receipt. Some restaurants will include gratuities, especially if it’s a large group. Some high-end hotels will sometimes include the price of certain amenities, such as: valet parking, room service, and concierge service.
Do your research
As American’s we are used to tipping. There are countries in the world where tipping may be insulting to their culture. They might see tipping as you implying that you may be more ‘well-off’ than they are. Please research the country you are traveling to for hint’s about tipping and other cultural differences. We are traveling there and should adapt and respect their customs.
Remember, don’t forget to tip! Safe travels.
Thanks Deb for the very valuable information 👍
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