Expectations . . .
I agree with Eric who suggested it might be a cultural thing. I know in Canada, tipping is common in restaraunts, bars, and hotels but extremely rare in gas stations, ice cream shops, and most other places I can think of.
Part of it no doubt has to do with the way the industry is structured (restaraunt workers count on tips to make a living - and I believe there is a lower minimum wage for them in certain states)
I would guess that people just don’t realize it is expected. A sign at the check-in place, or a note on the contract might clue them in without it being awkward. Alternatively, ask your employer for a rasie and don’t worry about tips.
People who travel
a lot, especially overseas, are used to tipping guides and this experience hopefully transfers back home. I think that it just doesn’t occur to a lot of people to tip - a tactful sign is a good idea.
tips
I teach all summer and very rarely get tips, I think a lot of people may not relize that the guide or instructor isnt often that high up in the companys infrastructure and may not be taking in more than 20-30% of the money they paid for the trip or lesson.
trips I go on take in $600 to $800/ day
if the guide is making $200 of that it works really nice! Guides on trips I take are usually making 160/200 per guiding day; it’s the days in the shop and days when they only teach for one hour that bite without art.
never count on tips!
thanks for the comments,i really dont do it for the money at all i have a great full time job(firefighter/paramedic)for me it is a great way to get on the water more,the owner of the company and i feel a sign or comment is not for us.i just know when i have gone on trips i tipped the guides ,i use to bartend so its kind of automatic for me,just wanted to know what pnet crew felt about the issue.
tis a odd one
so many variables to take into account .I look at it as gravy , don’t expect it , so when it happens it is nice . If folks think you are the owner they usually will not tip . Most are unaware it is done , a # of ways to work the subject into the trip though , tippin ? do you mean the guides or the yaks , being a guide is great but ya gotta be able to live below the federal standards for poverty -when they ask “what you do for a living” . One co. I worked for wouldn’t let one of the guides accept a tip on a c.c. , added bookeepin expense -HA!- once or twicwe a season he could have taken it outta petty cash , he also owned a retail shop , could ave offered the fella a discount on gear or even given em some o the FREE stuff HE gets from the sales reps. When junior guides wonder why they don’t get tips I ask em how involved in the clients they were , ID birds , paddling support techs , history of area , just general helpfulness an such . If yer doin it for the tip , get out of the business an get a job stroking tables .----M
why
1. it does not occur to them
2. they’re out of their element and tired at the end of the day and all they’re thinking about is a shower and dinner and bed.
3. the service wasn’t worth it.
4. the service was worth the price of the trip
5. the shared experience can cross a lot of boundaries unlike a clearly defined relationship with a waiter or other service.
the shared experience
ahh!the shared experience!you mean like when you have to tow the 250lbs mom with nonstop complaining kid 30mins to the boat launch!..just kidding!
Dopey
On my first kayak trip, it never occurred to me to tip the guide. I paid for the trip and expected a guide to provide the trip.
I have since learned of my dopiness and do tip for good service. On only one trip since (a fishing trip), I did not tip. The service was not worth a tip. The guide wanted to do what the guide wanted to do, NOT what his customers wanted to do.
Is whoever schedules the trip letting customers know that a tip is customary? If not, it’s probably just dopeyness.
- Big D
Tell them!
Why not just thank them for their patronage after the trip is over and let them know tactfully that “Tipping is allowed and always appreciated.” You don’t have to say anymore than that. I don’t think that’s tacky for a guide to say.
Ignorance?
This would apply to my husband and myself on our first rafting trip in Colorado. It was a multiday trip with three great guides, but we just didn’t have a clue that tipping was a standard procedure. I felt pretty bad later after I had done a bit more traveling (and reading about traveling) and realized we had stiffed them. While I don’t think a tip should be automatic (I wasn’t all that happy to see that when I booked an Alaskan lodge vacation they automatically included a %15 gratuity) I think it should be standard for good service.
Strikes me as tacky
for some folks
a tip is a way of reasserting a position of authority after having been out of that position during the time of the trip.
Yeah
Should get a hat that says “Tips Welcome”.
I have been on several multi-day
guided trips in Alaska, and on both of them we tipped.
On the first one someone suggested that we put all the tips in a pot and give it to the guides, and in that way if a person couldn’t afford too much, he/she would not show up as a cheapskate.
I thought it was a good idea, so on the second one a few years later, I suggested doing the same, and one guy who already proved himself to be an a-hole balked, so we all did our own thing.
Takes all kinds to make up this world.
I personally think that on a guided trip the guides deserve a tip, unless they are terrible guides and don’t warrant one.
Cheers,
jackL
Guide fees
Where I work there are set guide fee’s for half day and full day trips whcich the prices reflect. the Guide fee goes straight to the guide. I do agree, often it is cultural, sometimes I will recieve a $20 dollare tip for launching people(not guiding them, just the launch) other times it will be nothing after a long hard day of hearding cats…lol
Yesterday I did a tandem tow a woman and her son, two seperate boats a little over 7 miles, she tipped me with a Starbucks gift card, seems strange except earlier we had been discussing a mutual love for coffee…and she will be back with more customers s.I ove the tip when I get it, but don’t rely on it, it is a bonus to getting out and paddling g…kim.
Tipping
It seems like a cultural and regional thing in the states. I’ve guided from Canada to Chile over the course of 15 years. In some areas you know you’re going to be tipped. In others you know not to expect it.
It also depends on how many other guided activites the guest has done in the past.
I’ve found that tipping never crosses alot of folks minds…
Then again, I’ve had part of a group tip me right in front of the rest of the group and never received anything from the rest of the group…
Who knows.
Yup
If someone made it known to me that they were EXPECTING tip…they’d not be likely to get one. Tipping should be by choice only. IF the client CHOOSES to tip because of exceptional serrvice or whatever then great! Consider it a bonus.
But the reality is, it is a job that you are already being paid to do. The Client has already paid to do his or her trip. Automaticlly expecting a tip? I’d not expect it around these parts.
I tip mine, but only after…
…popping his skirt.
Never tip a kayak guide if…
– Last Updated: Apr-11-06 6:37 PM EST –
He gives you half a paddle.
Sends you out when it is lightening and stays on shore.
Gives you a leaky boat.
Paddles away from you never to be seen again.
Gives ALL his attention to the “hottie” on the trip.
Laughs at your paddling skills.
Laughs at your clothes.
Laughs at your mother-in-law..
Tells you he just started paddling last month.
These are just SOME of the mistakes I have made... GH