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Author Topic:   Tipping Etiquette

Jkcam posted 05-18-2013 04:29 PM ET (US)
I just relocated my 15'Classic to an indoor rack storage marina. The "dock hands" 1. wash the inside of the boat, 2. pick up on the fork lift, 3. wash the outside, and 4. put it up on the rack. Call ahead and the boat is pulled out of the rack and splashed. You guys know the drill.
What's the going tip rate for a deal like this? I was thinking $5 when I bring the boat in from using it. Does that make me sound like a cheap old geezer?
Buckda posted 05-18-2013 04:42 PM ET (US)
Define "wash".
Jkcam posted 05-18-2013 06:28 PM ET (US)
Light brush with some suds, both inside and out, rinse. No engine flush.
Thanks
contender posted 05-18-2013 06:34 PM ET (US)
Remember 1st of all you are already paying a monthly fee to do the service you have described (Do you tip the pool boy or the yard man when they are done?). To me its going to depend on a lot on how well they do these chores as you have described. 1st its only a 15 ft whaler its not a big deal, its not like they are getting the Abraham Lincoln out of dry dock. Wash? what does this mean? is it soap and water with a brush inside and out? or a hose down with the hose?, Do they flush the engine? And another issue how is their attitude? Are they getting tips from others? Are they willing to help or do you have to call them for everything? Either way I think I would do 2 fins its kinda hard to do anything with one fin...Just ask Nemo
cgodfrey posted 05-18-2013 06:46 PM ET (US)

quote:
Does that make me sound like a cheap old geezer?
Depends on how long it takes them and how good of a job they do. If it's a dirty towel dry off that takes them 30 seconds, that they do repeat dozens of times a day, 5 bucks is fine. But if the dock hands (I have to assume they're late teens early 20's) are detail-oriented-aim-to-impress go-getters, treat them accordingly.
Cash is king. But food, beverages, gift cards for their age group and interests, and actual, vocalized, appreciation and individual praise goes a long way too.
-Experience: 3 years of full-time pizza delivery.
-CG
EaglesPDX posted 05-18-2013 07:18 PM ET (US)
Five dollar tip is fine.
I kept my 22' Aluminum jet boat at the dry stack. They did not wash, just take in and out and I did not tip.
For the wash, yeah I'd probably tip and five per trip is fine. I don't think you'll appear cheap at all as I'd bet many do not tip at all.
Jefecinco posted 05-18-2013 07:19 PM ET (US)
Agree that go-getters deserve a modest tip of around $5 each when you return to the marina.
Otherwise perhaps a few dollars around Christmas or the end of the season depending upon where you are boating.
If you have some cold beverages left you could certainly pass them out to the lift operator and the attendants. It never hurts to promote a good relationship with the folks that help you enjoy your boat. If they are teens beer may not be a good idea.
Butch
jimh posted 05-19-2013 04:00 PM ET (US)
I was at the barber shop a few days ago. It is a real old-fashioned barber shop, cuts men's hair, no metro-sexual customers, no fancy-dans. A fellow came in to get a hair cut. He's waiting for my barber to finish cutting my hair. He starts telling everyone about his recent trip to South America. He was traveling with a group that was composed of mostly Canadians. He said he was tipping people all the time--the hotel staff, the restaurant staff, anyone providing a service to him.
One of the Canadians traveling with him with gave him a red Maple Leaf pin, and pinned it on his shirt.
"There," said the fellow, "now you are a Canadian. You can stop giving out all these extravagant tips all the time."
dfmcintyre posted 05-19-2013 07:28 PM ET (US)
Jim
From my daughter who worked at a local sports bar type franchise in a border town.
She would confirm that story.... in spades. Like zero to 5% is their norm.
D
WhatKnot posted 05-19-2013 07:40 PM ET (US)
Generous tipping seems to be, for the most part, an American
phenomenon. When in Sydney I asked what would be the appropriate tip to leave the bartender; the answer - whatever coin was on the bar. Big difference.
WhatKnot posted 05-19-2013 07:46 PM ET (US)
To bring my response back a bit on topic, when I fuel up I will throw a $5.00 bill if they help me with the lines.
Jamesgt727 posted 05-19-2013 08:37 PM ET (US)
When I was 16 (1990) I worked as a dock hand at Tierra Verde hi & dry (my only other job). I had three customers who regularly tipped $20 at the end of the day, every weekend, one was a 38' Cigarette Top Gun, 320 Regal, and a 17' Montauk. For twenty I did everything I could until the next boat came in. Everyone else gave me a few bucks or nothing. After the day was done, I went back to my three boats and cleaned, dryed, covered, flushed, put in battery chargers the works. All the other boats got nothing more...the 17 Montauk was the cleanest, shiniest boat in the whole place because he came Saturday and Sundays.
Jefecinco posted 05-20-2013 09:12 AM ET (US)
We tip more in the US because we pay menial employees minimum wage at best. Wait staff, I believe, are paid about half of minimum wage. Bartenders normally do much better than minimum wage. Perhaps because it's so very easy for bartenders to "make" quite a bit more than they are paid. I say that as a former bartender. I never took advantage of the opportunity to make some extra cash but knew others who did. The boss was not unaware of what was going on but choose to ignore it as long as it remained within his comfort zone.
I'm fairly notorious for being "cheap". I tip my barber $2 for a $10 seniors haircut. Wait staff get about 20% unless I'm very pleased or disappointed. If I'm alone for a meal the tip is at least $5. Fast food places don't get a tip from me. Other than my barber and wait staff I don't tip.
In most countries I've visited or in which I've resided tipping is not expected. I remember my first trip to Germany when I was surprised by a surcharge on a restaurant check. It was for service. Tipping was strongly discouraged. It was in 1968 and the custom may have changed. I liked it.
Butch

swist posted 05-20-2013 10:22 AM ET (US)
I don't tip full-time marina employees just for doing their job, but in this seasonal area, many marinas hire kids to assist docking, pump gas, etc. Most of these people are paid crap since these jobs are easily staffed (wouldn't you rather work outside at a marina for the Summer than bag groceries?).
So I usually give them 5 bucks.
Brian7son posted 05-21-2013 03:27 PM ET (US)
As far as the tip, it would depend on how the dock hand did his job. If it's included in the marina service and he gives it a 2 minute once over, I dont think I'd give him any money. However, if it was obvious that the kid did a good job, cleaned the boat inside and out with soap and water, I'd hand him $10.00 and ask him to do a good job.
It would be well worth it to me to tip the guy $10.00 if it was understood that he was giving my boat a good wash down.
I have my boat on a lift at my house, but years ago had it stored in a marina where I'd call have them splash it, etc. When I returned from a day of boating they'd pull it out and put it on a wash rack. You had about 15 minutes to clean it. Summer time in FLA, it's a good 95 degrees in the shade. If I could have just flushed my engine and then flipped the dock guy $10 to wash the boat inside and out with brush and soap, I'd have been all over that.
BTW, Butch 20% tip at a restaurant is not "notoriously cheap". That's fair and that's what I pay. If the service is great, I throw in a few exta bucks.
RE: The Canadians, I bussed tables in Ft. Lauderdale in high school in the late 70's. We'd get a party of 10 Canadians and they'd leave a quarter on the table. When you're making $2.10 an hour plus tips, that doesnt work out too well.
kwik_wurk posted 05-21-2013 03:50 PM ET (US)
When I worked at decent restaurant; a few times, others would would return the crappy tips to patrons as they left. -- They would run out into the lobby and give them the $1.15 on the $50 meal, and say: "Oh, you left your change on the table". -- People got the point really fast, and never came back. -- If a customer doesn't love you, then A) you aren't doing your job (almost always the case), or B) don't appreciate your efforts, hence don't bother with them.
I have tipped a dock handler, but then again, he helped fuel (~250 gallons), pump holding tanks (2 of them), fill water tank (70 gals). So the extra help handling hoses, and such to get me on my way (I was solo) was worth it.
contender posted 05-21-2013 04:42 PM ET (US)
Brian7son: I also bused tables when I was 15-16, The Canadians not only were the cheap on the tip, I was told to remove the condiments from the table and only give to them if they asked, If you left anything on the table it would be gone with them... I agree with you about the 20% tip also, When we go out to dinner we have some regular places, My family is always treated good, same waitress/waiter they always take care of us. I have one special high end restaurant I have been going to for over 22 years now, I can call ahead and they will make me anything I ask for and deserts also... Pays to be Nice...
2manyboats posted 05-21-2013 05:40 PM ET (US)
I took some Canadians on a swamp tour a few weeks back and on a $150 trip they tipped me $3. I wondered if they were really from Canada, most act like they have fishhooks in their pockets.
egres posted 05-22-2013 06:48 PM ET (US)
Well you know...
Us Canadians from the Great White North have to
1-Be tight with our $ since the Igloos in winter cost a lot to update.
2-Get slapped with an hefty brokerage fee when ever ordering our parts from the good ole USof A.
3-Save our precious mulla since the price of regular gas is well..
http://www.vancouvergasprices.com/
That is about 4 liters/gallon .
4-Like to be called "SIR" and will enjoy a sentence starting with Welcome.
5-Got only so much cash in pocket and get easily confused about the exchange index.
6-Fell thoroughly disappointed with the quality of US beers.
7-Prefer to be met at the pump by female attendants.
8-Never got their windshield washed the last time they did gas up at this wharf.
9-The weather on this side of the border was rather ugly.
And 10-The Boss at home keep hounding them by phone about not spending too much.
EJO posted 05-24-2013 12:18 PM ET (US)
you tip for service and not because it is expected. If I get good service from a service establishment (restaurant, marina, barber/hairdresser, concierge, door man, etc.) I tip. If the service is below par I don't pay more than for the product I received.


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Author	Topic: Tipping Etiquette
Jkcam	posted 05-18-2013 04:29 PM ET (US) I just relocated my 15'Classic to an indoor rack storage marina. The "dock hands" 1. wash the inside of the boat, 2. pick up on the fork lift, 3. wash the outside, and 4. put it up on the rack. Call ahead and the boat is pulled out of the rack and splashed. You guys know the drill. What's the going tip rate for a deal like this? I was thinking $5 when I bring the boat in from using it. Does that make me sound like a cheap old geezer?
Buckda	posted 05-18-2013 04:42 PM ET (US) Define "wash".
Jkcam	posted 05-18-2013 06:28 PM ET (US) Light brush with some suds, both inside and out, rinse. No engine flush. Thanks
contender	posted 05-18-2013 06:34 PM ET (US) Remember 1st of all you are already paying a monthly fee to do the service you have described (Do you tip the pool boy or the yard man when they are done?). To me its going to depend on a lot on how well they do these chores as you have described. 1st its only a 15 ft whaler its not a big deal, its not like they are getting the Abraham Lincoln out of dry dock. Wash? what does this mean? is it soap and water with a brush inside and out? or a hose down with the hose?, Do they flush the engine? And another issue how is their attitude? Are they getting tips from others? Are they willing to help or do you have to call them for everything? Either way I think I would do 2 fins its kinda hard to do anything with one fin...Just ask Nemo
cgodfrey	posted 05-18-2013 06:46 PM ET (US) quote: Does that make me sound like a cheap old geezer? Depends on how long it takes them and how good of a job they do. If it's a dirty towel dry off that takes them 30 seconds, that they do repeat dozens of times a day, 5 bucks is fine. But if the dock hands (I have to assume they're late teens early 20's) are detail-oriented-aim-to-impress go-getters, treat them accordingly. Cash is king. But food, beverages, gift cards for their age group and interests, and actual, vocalized, appreciation and individual praise goes a long way too. -Experience: 3 years of full-time pizza delivery. -CG
EaglesPDX	posted 05-18-2013 07:18 PM ET (US) Five dollar tip is fine. I kept my 22' Aluminum jet boat at the dry stack. They did not wash, just take in and out and I did not tip. For the wash, yeah I'd probably tip and five per trip is fine. I don't think you'll appear cheap at all as I'd bet many do not tip at all.
Jefecinco	posted 05-18-2013 07:19 PM ET (US) Agree that go-getters deserve a modest tip of around $5 each when you return to the marina. Otherwise perhaps a few dollars around Christmas or the end of the season depending upon where you are boating. If you have some cold beverages left you could certainly pass them out to the lift operator and the attendants. It never hurts to promote a good relationship with the folks that help you enjoy your boat. If they are teens beer may not be a good idea. Butch
jimh	posted 05-19-2013 04:00 PM ET (US) I was at the barber shop a few days ago. It is a real old-fashioned barber shop, cuts men's hair, no metro-sexual customers, no fancy-dans. A fellow came in to get a hair cut. He's waiting for my barber to finish cutting my hair. He starts telling everyone about his recent trip to South America. He was traveling with a group that was composed of mostly Canadians. He said he was tipping people all the time--the hotel staff, the restaurant staff, anyone providing a service to him. One of the Canadians traveling with him with gave him a red Maple Leaf pin, and pinned it on his shirt. "There," said the fellow, "now you are a Canadian. You can stop giving out all these extravagant tips all the time."
dfmcintyre	posted 05-19-2013 07:28 PM ET (US) Jim From my daughter who worked at a local sports bar type franchise in a border town. She would confirm that story.... in spades. Like zero to 5% is their norm. D
WhatKnot	posted 05-19-2013 07:40 PM ET (US) Generous tipping seems to be, for the most part, an American phenomenon. When in Sydney I asked what would be the appropriate tip to leave the bartender; the answer - whatever coin was on the bar. Big difference.
WhatKnot	posted 05-19-2013 07:46 PM ET (US) To bring my response back a bit on topic, when I fuel up I will throw a $5.00 bill if they help me with the lines.
Jamesgt727	posted 05-19-2013 08:37 PM ET (US) When I was 16 (1990) I worked as a dock hand at Tierra Verde hi & dry (my only other job). I had three customers who regularly tipped $20 at the end of the day, every weekend, one was a 38' Cigarette Top Gun, 320 Regal, and a 17' Montauk. For twenty I did everything I could until the next boat came in. Everyone else gave me a few bucks or nothing. After the day was done, I went back to my three boats and cleaned, dryed, covered, flushed, put in battery chargers the works. All the other boats got nothing more...the 17 Montauk was the cleanest, shiniest boat in the whole place because he came Saturday and Sundays.
Jefecinco	posted 05-20-2013 09:12 AM ET (US) We tip more in the US because we pay menial employees minimum wage at best. Wait staff, I believe, are paid about half of minimum wage. Bartenders normally do much better than minimum wage. Perhaps because it's so very easy for bartenders to "make" quite a bit more than they are paid. I say that as a former bartender. I never took advantage of the opportunity to make some extra cash but knew others who did. The boss was not unaware of what was going on but choose to ignore it as long as it remained within his comfort zone. I'm fairly notorious for being "cheap". I tip my barber $2 for a $10 seniors haircut. Wait staff get about 20% unless I'm very pleased or disappointed. If I'm alone for a meal the tip is at least $5. Fast food places don't get a tip from me. Other than my barber and wait staff I don't tip. In most countries I've visited or in which I've resided tipping is not expected. I remember my first trip to Germany when I was surprised by a surcharge on a restaurant check. It was for service. Tipping was strongly discouraged. It was in 1968 and the custom may have changed. I liked it. Butch
swist	posted 05-20-2013 10:22 AM ET (US) I don't tip full-time marina employees just for doing their job, but in this seasonal area, many marinas hire kids to assist docking, pump gas, etc. Most of these people are paid crap since these jobs are easily staffed (wouldn't you rather work outside at a marina for the Summer than bag groceries?). So I usually give them 5 bucks.
Brian7son	posted 05-21-2013 03:27 PM ET (US) As far as the tip, it would depend on how the dock hand did his job. If it's included in the marina service and he gives it a 2 minute once over, I dont think I'd give him any money. However, if it was obvious that the kid did a good job, cleaned the boat inside and out with soap and water, I'd hand him $10.00 and ask him to do a good job. It would be well worth it to me to tip the guy $10.00 if it was understood that he was giving my boat a good wash down. I have my boat on a lift at my house, but years ago had it stored in a marina where I'd call have them splash it, etc. When I returned from a day of boating they'd pull it out and put it on a wash rack. You had about 15 minutes to clean it. Summer time in FLA, it's a good 95 degrees in the shade. If I could have just flushed my engine and then flipped the dock guy $10 to wash the boat inside and out with brush and soap, I'd have been all over that. BTW, Butch 20% tip at a restaurant is not "notoriously cheap". That's fair and that's what I pay. If the service is great, I throw in a few exta bucks. RE: The Canadians, I bussed tables in Ft. Lauderdale in high school in the late 70's. We'd get a party of 10 Canadians and they'd leave a quarter on the table. When you're making $2.10 an hour plus tips, that doesnt work out too well.
kwik_wurk	posted 05-21-2013 03:50 PM ET (US) When I worked at decent restaurant; a few times, others would would return the crappy tips to patrons as they left. -- They would run out into the lobby and give them the $1.15 on the $50 meal, and say: "Oh, you left your change on the table". -- People got the point really fast, and never came back. -- If a customer doesn't love you, then A) you aren't doing your job (almost always the case), or B) don't appreciate your efforts, hence don't bother with them. I have tipped a dock handler, but then again, he helped fuel (~250 gallons), pump holding tanks (2 of them), fill water tank (70 gals). So the extra help handling hoses, and such to get me on my way (I was solo) was worth it.
contender	posted 05-21-2013 04:42 PM ET (US) Brian7son: I also bused tables when I was 15-16, The Canadians not only were the cheap on the tip, I was told to remove the condiments from the table and only give to them if they asked, If you left anything on the table it would be gone with them... I agree with you about the 20% tip also, When we go out to dinner we have some regular places, My family is always treated good, same waitress/waiter they always take care of us. I have one special high end restaurant I have been going to for over 22 years now, I can call ahead and they will make me anything I ask for and deserts also... Pays to be Nice...
2manyboats	posted 05-21-2013 05:40 PM ET (US) I took some Canadians on a swamp tour a few weeks back and on a $150 trip they tipped me $3. I wondered if they were really from Canada, most act like they have fishhooks in their pockets.
egres	posted 05-22-2013 06:48 PM ET (US) Well you know... Us Canadians from the Great White North have to 1-Be tight with our $ since the Igloos in winter cost a lot to update. 2-Get slapped with an hefty brokerage fee when ever ordering our parts from the good ole USof A. 3-Save our precious mulla since the price of regular gas is well.. http://www.vancouvergasprices.com/ That is about 4 liters/gallon . 4-Like to be called "SIR" and will enjoy a sentence starting with Welcome. 5-Got only so much cash in pocket and get easily confused about the exchange index. 6-Fell thoroughly disappointed with the quality of US beers. 7-Prefer to be met at the pump by female attendants. 8-Never got their windshield washed the last time they did gas up at this wharf. 9-The weather on this side of the border was rather ugly. And 10-The Boss at home keep hounding them by phone about not spending too much.
EJO	posted 05-24-2013 12:18 PM ET (US) you tip for service and not because it is expected. If I get good service from a service establishment (restaurant, marina, barber/hairdresser, concierge, door man, etc.) I tip. If the service is below par I don't pay more than for the product I received.