Kelpfish 15 Posted March 26, 2014 Can you assume that? I once went on a liveaboard where another passenger told me the captain/owner of the boat took a cut of the tips. I was a bit shocked but didn't have a chance to investigate further at the time. I was just on a trip and the dive shop owner took all the tips and said, "we will distribute, don't you worry". I don't know if my money ever made it to the workabees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uwxplorer 4 Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) You learn. Remember that there is no health insurance paid for for these seasonal and temporary jobs (in addition to all the horror stories you have already heard about the US working class). When you are a local, you come to appreciate a boat that goes an extra length to find the better spot. When you have expensive or heavy gear, you appreciate that they help you with it and take special care of it. And when you are a rude, ignorant and arrogant European, you should acknowledge that it takes a special kind of zen attitude to overlook your pettiness :-) [Edit: I realize some might be missing the humor. This is not, I repeat, not addressed to the OP]. Even boat owners rarely spend their holidays on the Riviera (if they take any). Just take a different look at the country you're visiting and leave all these comfortable prejudices back home... Edited March 27, 2014 by uwxplorer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcw 8 Posted March 26, 2014 I was just on a trip and the dive shop owner took all the tips and said, "we will distribute, don't you worry". I don't know if my money ever made it to the workabees. A few years ago I was finishing up a week of diving. There was 2 dive helpers( not sure what they really were, but they helped out). One of the helpers said he was the head of the group, so I gave this guy the tip and said to spread it evenly. As I was walking out, I saw the other guy and said thank you and I gave your tip to the head guy to split with him. He thanked me and than ran after the other guy to start a fight. The other guy lied, there was no lead and going to steel the money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uwxplorer 4 Posted March 27, 2014 When there is no tip jar, something is fishy... best to tip each individual separately. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDSC 1 Posted March 31, 2014 I was just on a trip and the dive shop owner took all the tips and said, "we will distribute, don't you worry". I don't know if my money ever made it to the workabees. I never participate in "group tips" because you never know what happens to the money. I know of a dive shop owner who collected a group tip at the end of the week and then told another employee at the shop the guests gave enough so he didn't need to. On all the trips I put together, I never collect a group tip. I will try and find out what is the norm and if anyone asks I just tell them what I found the usual or customary tip to be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vondo 28 Posted March 31, 2014 I never participate in "group tips" because you never know what happens to the money. I know of a dive shop owner who collected a group tip at the end of the week and then told another employee at the shop the guests gave enough so he didn't need to. On all the trips I put together, I never collect a group tip. I will try and find out what is the norm and if anyone asks I just tell them what I found the usual or customary tip to be. Interesting. On several occasions (non-diving trips, safaris) I've been asked by the other clients to collect the tip since "as the American, you're used to that sort of thing." I usually do as you do, find out what the norm is and let people know if asked. I'm usually up front about how much I'm tipping and why. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdoug1 56 Posted April 2, 2014 I tip via my credit card when on a liveaboard because I don't like to travel with big sums of cash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
