Tipping the guys at the marina?

[Wrong]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I agree Wrong, it is difficult for visitors. But that's just one of the challenges a traveller faces. Appreciating different cultural is part of the joys of travel.

If something is a cultural norm, o.k.. But, what I am saying is that too many cruisers are taking the initiative to spread their money carelessly about, driving up the costs for everyone else - without regard for the 'norm'.

We in western cultures tend to believe anyone living in a "hut" must be unhappy so we want to build them a proper house (whatever that is). Of course, we don't anticipate the other ways in which having a western style house may affect them.

In the same sense, we have some cruisers who feel a compunction to 'assist' people they believe must be unhappily poor by giving them tips. The consequences are predictable. The recipients begin to see all westerners as a source of easy money by either demanding tips from others, or raising their prices. Their governments do the same, so we have ever rising port fees and must pay agents to do what we can do ourselves. Crazy.

[ohdrinkboy]

I always tip the fuel dock girl 10% when I pull up in my power boat. She's a college student and always has a smile.....plus she wears a bikini.

[Sea Frog]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

I always tip the fuel dock girl 10% when I pull up in my power boat. She's a college student and always has a smile.....plus she wears a bikini.

For some strange reason I have read it as "I always tip the fuel dock girl 10% when I pull out"...

[ReMetau]

Originally Posted by Sea Frog

For some strange reason I have read it as "I always tip the fuel dock girl 10% when I pull out"...

You better tip her more for staying in!

[Wrong]

Originally Posted by ReMetau

You better tip her more for staying in!

Could I ever get away with saying thus?

[Jd1]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Some places in the US, one has a lot of pressure to tip; and many of those places have rude servers who offer poor service. I think that is the sort of situation I prefer to have not mixed up with marine services of any kind. The next step is bribing to get good service. I just don't want to go there.

And some restaurants now add a mandatory tip to the bill ... I won't eat at those establishments.

[Tony B]

i don't tip at the dock -ever.
I am not normally a cheapskate but there is something about tipping at the dock that really bothers me. Sooooooooo - I don't. Maybe it's the great distain some of the dock workers have for the people tipping them. Some people tip them more than they earn in a day. They love the money and will gladly keep it but they have a certain resentment towards those people. They like the tip but it makes them feel inferior. When they are amongst themselves, you should hear how they talk about the tippers.
So if you feel better about tipping, go for it. This is just my feelings towards the matter.


If someone else wants to tip, good for them.
I tip way to much at restaurants and that's only to keep the admiral happy.



If they are not happy with their job or their pay, they can find another trade.

[Teknav]

...a little different situation for this oddball - ME...When making a refueling stop...the windshield/windscreen is cleaned inside and out, the plane's tanks are topped off with fuel, the plane's floor and seats are vacuum cleaned, the floats are checked and drained if necessary, oil level is checked, and the list goes on... A $20-$50 USD tip is warranted for all these extras. In some countries, tipping is an insult and is frowned upon; a pound or two of chocolate would substitute for tipping money. I have yet to see anyone in the world turning down a gift of chocolates. Hershey's miniature bars by the pound are accepted everywhere; don't leave home without them!

Mauritz
Gives credit where it is due...

[psneeld]

Clueless MF's....

The right answer is definitely cultural and whether in the US or not it still varies.

There are fuel dock hands that WORK FOR TIPS...says so right on the fuel dock in a big sign.

...there are places where the fuel dock is attended by the owner...probably a tip is not necessary.

Some marina dock hands point to where you are supposed to dock and walk away...others all but have sex with you.

For those that say one way or the other is correct..well...I just hope you get in life what you sow.

You tip in places where it is expected because the dockhands only get tips and maybe a minimum wage like food service people....or you tip because you feel you got service well above the call of duty.

As they always say...there are no definites in tipping...let your conscious be your guide.

In the US on the East Coast...if you don't tip the waste pumpout hand...you really are low...and I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination....

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Wrong

If something is a cultural norm, o.k.. But, what I am saying is that too many cruisers are taking the initiative to spread their money carelessly about, driving up the costs for everyone else - without regard for the 'norm'.

I agree with your point about imposing our norms on others. That's my point. To say no tips, not never, is to ignore local cultural standards. In some places it is the norm. In other places it is not. But as to your second comment, how do you know it's free-tipping travellers that are driving up costs? Perhaps it's smart local business people who see an opportunity to make more money. Isn't this just the free market at work? What is a service (or good) worth in a market economy? What someone will pay. Any business, and by extension any government, will charge what they think will maximize their profits. You can hardly blame others for trying to do that -- unless you're a socialist .

Originally Posted by Wrong

We in western cultures tend to believe anyone living in a "hut" must be unhappy so we want to build them a proper house (whatever that is). Of course, we don't anticipate the other ways in which having a western style house may affect them.

Very true. We (meaning the West) have done tremendous damage to cultures around the world, often under the banner of 'doing good.' But this is nothing new. Dominant cultures have always abused less potent neighbours. The Romans brought their empire to the "barbarians" of the north. Later, Europeans "civilized" the North American peoples. We have a long history of couching conquest in the colours of charity.

Look, I'm going to be a $500/month cruiser when we leave. I have no desire to see costs go up. But that doesn't mean I want to squeeze every penny out of everyone I meet, and certainly not those whose livelihoods, and perhaps lives, depend on my tips. If tips are the norm, and the service I receive is up to snuff, then I tip. If tips are not part of what is done, then I would not, and would dissuade others from tipping.

[Capt Phil]

I'm with psneeld and mike oreilly... it is normally a cultural thing. In the US if I am tying up to some flash restaurant or marina dock and the dock crew are all decked out in uniform or such, I might drop a fiver but normally in the US, not necessary.
In Mexico and other Central American countries, particularly at the fuel dock, a few hundred pesos might be the right amount. I recall on a delivery stopping in Cabo San Lucas with one crew aboard who was down with the wog, I came into a stern tie alone and the dock guys were really helpful tying up an 80 footer so I gave them each about 500 pesos ($5). Do what your heart tells you is right. Phil

[Navegante1105]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Mike, you're right, as far as it goes.

Sadly, here in the States, people seem far more likely than anywhere else I've been, to institute a tipping culture in industries that really don't need it, IMO. I would suggest, even, that some people are far more comfortable with tipping than with acting friendly.

Even in the example above, of someone who is not being paid a living wage, might not having him and his family over for a simple brunch, lunch, or dinner do him more good? It could be an inspiration. Even if he'd rather have some kind of tip. I think you're more likely to change someone's life for the better by being a friend to him than by giving him a pittance. What does the money giver expect back, feet shuffling and knuckling of forehead?

Some places in the US, one has a lot of pressure to tip; and many of those places have rude servers who offer poor service. I think that is the sort of situation I prefer to have not mixed up with marine services of any kind. The next step is bribing to get good service. I just don't want to go there.

I apologize if this sounds too argumentative or brusque. I feel extremely strongly about the issue. ...And yet, sometimes one may want to demonstrate gratitude, and in those cases, I think a gift is preferable (albeit more trouble) than a tip. YMMV

My two cents.

I am agree with You Ann..

[Cap Erict3]

A tip is a voluntary way to show gratitude. I always tip outstanding service.

[NZGrant]

Coming from a non tipping country I find it strange that it is necessary to bribe someone to do the job that they have chosen to do. Surely by promoting tipping you are encouraging businesses to pay their staff less and less on the basis that you will make it up in tips. Great for the business I guess by lowering the relevant payroll taxes or superannuation contributions or whatever they have but not so good for the staff.

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by NZGrant

Coming from a non tipping country I find it strange that it is necessary to bribe someone to do the job that they have chosen to do. Surely by promoting tipping you are encouraging businesses to pay their staff less and less on the basis that you will make it up in tips. Great for the business I guess by lowering the relevant payroll taxes or superannuation contributions or whatever they have but not so good for the staff.

You said it all in the first couple of words...coming from a non-tipping country....

Hey I used to save peoples lives for a living and couldn't take a cup of coffee as a gesture of gratitude....

Now...I get tips all the time and it makes me uncomfortable because my job is not really a "tipping job"...

Often I give boaters advice on how to fix their engine after I tow them in...takes 30 seconds sometimes... Often they give me $20...probably because I saved them $200 by not having the marina do it.

They don't have to...many times it's "after my job is done" , they don't have to by either norm or pressure but they do it because I was being a good guy and they felt like being "nice". Some look at tips as more of a gift than part of the payment.