TIPPING

[robms]

Second trip in two years and it happens again!! Tour guides and porters get shafted.

Please when planning your trips, consider ALL expenses including tipping. Use the guidelines and adjust according to satisfaction with the guide/porter service.

The comments at the end of recent trip - I can't afford it, the recommendation is too high relative to what they already get paid, everything to rationalize minimum tipping except whether or not the service deserved it.

And if you're an Aussie, or from somewhere that tipping is not the norm, consider that YOU'RE NOT AT HOME - local guides and porters depend on the tips may depend more heavily on tips than on their wage. And although you might not like it, that's the way it is. If you want to protest, protest local practices to GAP, who may be in a position to do something about it for their Adventures.

[Zuleika]

well said robms. I am from the UK and tipping is not the norm here but I always factor it in as I appreciate why it is done. Unfortunately there are always some TIGHT FISTED individuals on each tour.
Really there is no excuse - I believe GAP even gives a recommended amount in the dossier for those of us who have no clue how it works.

[jimshu]

I agree.Your end of tour gratuity needs to be budgeted for from the outset.
We have observed on group tours, that there seems to be plenty of money for some to spend on alcohol every night, but yet when it comes to that gratuity for a leader and driver who have gone over the top for everyone, there's a pittance.
And then we are asked to give to a group donation.
So we decline.And give ours individually.
And being Kiwis, tipping is not part of our culture, but I think it has a lot of merit.

[ExplorerWannaBe]

It really annoyed me when people fell back on "we don't do that at home" as an excuse not to tip. I'll remember that when I travel in those countries but when in Rome ... The excuse was that GAP should pay the guides more so they didn't have to tip -- I call BS on that. They would just have ended up paying a higher rate for the trip so why not pay the dang tip? Tipping puts some flexibility in the travelers' hands to reward based on the treatment they got.

[SueLavery]

When I did my first trip with GAP the Guide asked one person to look after the tips. He told us roughly how much they would be and we all gave this person our money. He even had red envelopes to put them in. He would tell her how much to tip everyone. At the end we still had money and out tour guide was so awesome that on top of the very good tips we gave him - he got the rest of the tip money. On other tours the guides were not nearly as helpful with this and there were some places that the guides (and very good guides) didn't get a tip at all because the tour guide would not give us even a rough guestimate as to what to tip. Remember we are not at home. Tipping is the norm for me so when I realized at one point I didn't tip I was devistated

[desiree2]

I'm an Aussie and I find the whole tipping issue hard to get right. On my GAP tour, our guide offered to collect money at the beginning of the tour to pay for local tips such as porters, and local guides and drivers which was so much easier for me. During the trip I had some great experiences (eg our 4WD driver on the tiger safari) who I gave extra tips to as well. At the end of the trip I gave our guide a bit more than what GAP suggested, but without the suggestion I wouldn't have any idea what I should have given him.


I know that sometimes us Aussies may seem a bit tight-fisted when it comes to tipping, but it's just not part of our culture. I also know that we should follow the custom of the country that we are visiting but it can still be a bit difficult for us to know who/what/when/how much to tip. It is easier to tip in Asian countries because a little bit of money goes a long way in those countries, but when I go to America, I'll be asking some friends for advice because just about everyone over there seems to get a tip (eg I read that at the hairdressers you're supposed to tip the person who brings you a cup of tea, the person who colours your hair, the person who cuts your hair - my hairdresser is lucky to get a box of chocolates for Christmas!)

Anyway, I'm glad that GAP gives us a suggested amount because otherwise I really wouldn't know what amount was considered over the top, and what amount was considered an insult.

PS My emoticons seem to have a mind of their own and pop up in the strangest places.

[jimshu]

http://www.clicksmilies.com/
You're just sooo emotional .Try some of these!

[kris_nyc]

I agree.Your end of tour gratuity needs to be budgeted for from the outset.
We have observed on group tours, that there seems to be plenty of money for some to spend on alcohol every night, but yet when it comes to that gratuity for a leader and driver who have gone over the top for everyone, there's a pittance.
And then we are asked to give to a group donation.
So we decline.And give ours individually.
And being Kiwis, tipping is not part of our culture, but I think it has a lot of merit.

Well said, Jimshu. I too often find that some people have more than enough money for beer, souveneirs and meals at a fancy hotel/tourist restaurants, but apparently not enough to appropriately tip theamazing crew who go above and beyond. It amazes me that some people complain about a measly tip of a few dollars when they've spent thousands for the airfare and tour.

[ExplorerWannaBe]

One thing I do is keep separate envelopes for tips in with my general supply of cash and I try to put the suggested tips in the envelopes ahead of time so I don't spend it. I can swap out the US cash with equivalent local currency that isn't spent on the trip or just add the local currency as a bonus if the service was above and beyond.

The main thing is budget for the tip ahead of time and keep the tip money separate so you don't shortchange the guides or drivers by spending it on beer or snacks.

[pippy]

I come from a tipping country but i only tip when i feel like it. It is expected as a norm these days and taken for granted everyone should get one no matter what service has been done or not done. I dont agree with pooling tips and pressuring everyone to give the same amounts, you should be able to give what you want when you want to and not be put down by others by your choice. If i save up for years to afford to have a trip of a lifetime others should not tell me what to do with my money. I know it is not a political correct thing to say but it is how i feel. These are tips not thier saleries.

[graybeard]

Pippy - not sure where you are from, but a brief comment on the "tips are not their salaries". In many places salaries are next to nothing because a tip is considered to be expected. It is not wholly for services rendered but rather seen as way to increase their "salaries" to even the most marginal of levels. How MUCH to tip is really the question. For instance, here in the US, restaurant wait staff do not have to be paid even the minimum wage because it is the expected by the Feds that their tips will bring them up to at least that amount. Yes, it would be easier if the world all paid everyone a living wage and thus eliminate the whole tipping issue. - but it's not the case. If one can afford to travel internationally, including the plane fare, then one should tip appropriately if that is the local norm. And, that, of course, it my opinion.

[jimshu]

In the hospitality,travel, and accommodation industry, tipping is a practice that helps ensure good levels of service.They are , after all, low wage industries in every country, even our developed ones.Tipping helps ensure that staff do try to lift their performance and deliver satisfaction, in anticipation of a good tip for a good service done.
And often in our home country retail for instance, where set wages and no tipping is the norm, the standard of service can be abysmal.Why go out of your way for the customer, when there is no incentive, seems to be the attitude of some retail staff.
Give me a waiter, or housekeeper, guide etc,who on our travels goes that extra distance for us, and we'll tip to recognise and encourage that service.Everyone benefits.

[firstnaturalman]

I was on Safari with GAP this summer and the tipping guidelines were $1.50US per day from each person for each of the driver and the cook. Far, far too little! For 22 days that would come to $33 per person from each of us, or $66 from each couple. Astoundingly, some couples gave only $50 from both of them. I refused to participate with the pool to give collectively and gave just for myself $50 to each of the driver and the cook with a note so they would know and remember that it was from me. I feel GAP should double the suggested tip not only because these people work very hard, provide for your comfort and safety 24 hours a day, but are the two individuals most responsible for your enjoyment of the trip. Many spend frivolously on extra beer, snacks, unnecessary side adventures and T-shirts, but fail to put away enough to show a proper measure of appreciation for those who largely depend on these tips for a living.

[holiday1]

I find many of the comments written here just poorly informed. The fact is, tipping is not part of the local custom in most parts of the world and the tips suggested by GAP are almost always excessive. GAP is perfectly entitled to think that a local guide ought to be paid three times the salary of a local university professor, or ten times the salary of a local nurse, but they really shouldn't suggest that not tipping tour guides will result in hardship for the guide - its just not true.

[brentb]

I agree.

On one trip, two of us Canadians (who expect to tip up to 15%) with a large group of Argentinians who did not tip at home. Two of use were let trying to cope with tipping for 10 porters/guides.

This makes no sense.

The travel company MUST cover reasonable wages for the guides/porters.

A small tip from some people may be added, but most of the money must come from the up front fees.