When Does Tip Talk On a Tour Get On Your Nerves?

[printingchick]

In a restaurant, I realize that my bill is for my FOOD and my tip is for my SERVICE. When I pay for a tour - something with is pretty much all service - I would expect the salary of the tour guide to be included in the cost. That is how most service purchases work. We don't tip our physician, carpet cleaner, exterminator, etc. We pay for their services - period. A tip therefore is above and beyond, and should be necessary only if I believe the guide provided exceptional service.

 

I suspect a lot of people feel this way.

[nadalina]

Wow! This is a very interesting thread. I have never had a job in which I had to depend on tips for my income, so I really don't know how I would feel if I were in those shoes. I do know this, though.... I am from the U.S. and my SO is from Croatia and we travel a lot together. I always expect to tip MUCH more often and a MUCH higher percentage than he does. In my opinion and experience, service positions in the U.S. do, indeed, rely more on tips than in other countries, and, therein, lies the problem.

 

Unfortunately, SamFritz, I, too, would be annoyed by your frequent asking/reminding about tips, but I certainly understand your position that you feel you must do that in order to ensure appropriate gratuities. The clear answer would be, of course, for the company to pay those service positions better so such a high percentage tip is not expected or needed, but at least here in the U.S., I think that is unlikely to happen.

 

Just my two cents worth.

Peggy

[Mary Ellen]

When Does Tip Talk On a Tour Get On Your Nerves?

The instant it starts. We tip MUCH better when there isn't a "Tip Talk" or signs.

[Andee]

One reminder (either verbal or written) to "educate" passengers that your employer (like restaurants) underpays you would be the maximum I'd tolerate. I agree with those who say they'd decrease the tip every time you hounded them.

[mypleasure]

By placing the signs and mentioning it twice you have made me feel very uncomfortable with you. In fact, I was just thinking about when was the last tour I took where a tip was solicited by either the driver or the guide. I remember something back in about 1975 when my Mom, my godmother and I took a day trip to Rhyl.

When in the US depending upon the quality and length of the excursion and the quality of the driver/guide we will tip between $0 and $20 per person. You just made me want to give you $2 and run like hell. I hate it when I am told a tip is expected but then again I am British so maybe folks think I am ignorant about tipping. Not so, I have travelled a great deal in my life and generally know when and where a gratuity is appropriate and roughly how much. I do make mistakes though.

[Goldryder]

Like I have already said on this thread, your attitude and that of the other drivers/steering wheel attendants is out of order.

 

I have sacked steering wheel attendants who have left 'begging bowls' on their dashboard for tips to go in as their guests leave the vehicle.

 

You just don't do it...no-one has the right to demand a tip from their guests, it is EARNED, not a right.

[G'ma]

I am a tour guide in Niagara Falls. After eight years of experimenting I have found routine that produces the highest income for me, but I was wanted to hear from travellers at what point does a guide's mentioning of tips really start to take away from your enjoyment of the trip? By the way, I drive a mini-bus that seats 32, but my average group size is 18. So I am both a driver and a guide. Here's my routine:

 

1. The bus has two small signs (one in front and one in back) that say "If you enjoyed the trip, please don't forget the tip. (15% is customary) Thank You"

2. At the beginning of the trip while I talk about what we will be seeing and doing, I also say, "And just so everyone knows, the tour bus drivers and guides here in Niagara Falls, as with drivers and guides all around the world, really do depend on the tips that they recieve for the lion's share of their income. So I'll trust you to read the signs on the bus and at the end of the trip you can be the judge at how I did at giving you all a great time today."

3. At the end of the trip as I'm saying a bunch of thank yous I say, " So when we get to each of our drop offs please let me step off of the bus first, I'll help you down off of the bus, I'll give you a good handshake, and I'll thank you for your tip at that time."

 

Those three items are the only mention of tips during a 5 hour tour. I have found that if I leave any one of them out, my average tip per person drops from $6.61 to $3.82. If I say nothing many people give nothing and most only give a dollar or two.

 

So would you be bugged on my tour? When would you start to be irritated? I've only had one complaint in 8 years.

 

I spent about 10 years of my career in the travel industry as a Tour Director/Escort/Cruise Host. For 4 years, I did meet and greet at the airport in SFO and led 1/2 day City Tours, full day tours to Napa, full day tours to the Monterey Peninsula and Marin, served as hospitality desk at most of the major hotels there and other places around the US...and lots more.

 

Never, ever, did I hype for a tip for myself. It's unprofessional and, if you do a good job, uncalled for. I did mention that the driver might appreciate recognition once in a while.....usually on multi-days vacations with multiple destinations, luggage handling, etc.

 

If there are signs in your van, that's enough. Most people know it's appropriate to tip the guide and driver. Those who don't...just consider the source....they don't get out much.

 

Soliciting for tips, however, is simply bad taste.....and annoying.

[UtterCaro]

Many of my colleagues have tip signs that say: "Your Driver/Guide is performing TWO important jobs for you today. He insures your safety as a driver and your enjoyment as a guide. It is customarry to tip him a total of 25% for the TWO jobs he is doing for you today."

 

At the end of such a tour, with the handshake I'd be tempted to slip him a note (with whatever tip I deemed appropriate): "Your rider performed TWO important jobs for you today. She ensured your continued employment as your passenger and acted as a rebel by refusing to accept your dictatorial terms. It is customary to smile and thank your passengers no matter what amount they fork over." :D

 

Caro

[ger_77]

I'm thinking that mentioning it 3 times is very solicitious. We know you're getting paid a wage, and yes if you do a good job of guiding us, you will get a tip, but by saying that you'll be helping us down the stairs at the end and thanking us for our tip - that doesn't sit well with me. Often DH does the tipping and I would feel awkward with you holding my arm, almost waiting for me to hand you some money, when DH has already given it to you. I don't like the way it's being pushed; I often push back and it isn't nice. Leave the sign at the front and enjoy what you do get. If it isn't enough, maybe it's time to take a different career path.

 

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[lady_cruiser]

I think that the signs on your bus would be just the right reminder for me to leave a tip.

[SamFritz]

Wow! This is a very interesting thread. I have never had a job in which I had to depend on tips for my income, so I really don't know how I would feel if I were in those shoes. I do know this, though.... I am from the U.S. and my SO is from Croatia and we travel a lot together. I always expect to tip MUCH more often and a MUCH higher percentage than he does. In my opinion and experience, service positions in the U.S. do, indeed, rely more on tips than in other countries, and, therein, lies the problem.

 

Unfortunately, SamFritz, I, too, would be annoyed by your frequent asking/reminding about tips, but I certainly understand your position that you feel you must do that in order to ensure appropriate gratuities. The clear answer would be, of course, for the company to pay those service positions better so such a high percentage tip is not expected or needed, but at least here in the U.S., I think that is unlikely to happen.

 

Just my two cents worth.

Peggy

 

A few more thoughts:

 

The statistics don't align with what those of you who call for no mention of tips are suggesting. If I make no mention of tips I'll make twenty dollars on a five hour tour. Doing what I do, I make $120. (BTW a five hour tour takes the driver seven hours because of pre-tripping the bus, pickups, drop offs and close-out paperwork.) Only rarely do I have passengers finish the trip without tipping and they are always from countries where tipping is not customary and there is usually some language difficulty as well.

 

Also, while on tour, I am delivering facts, stories, jokes, and explanations to the tour group almost nonstop except for when they are at one of the three attractions we visit. (Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and I-Max Movie). If you strung all of my presentation time in front of the tour group together into one speech, it would come to about one hour and ten minutes. So I don't think it's fair to characterize the mention of tips a constant or even frequent part of the tour. It takes about thirty seconds at the start of the tour and about five seconds at the end of our five hours together.

 

In Niagara Falls, tour guides must possess tour guide liscenses from both countries, Comercial Driver's Liscense, and Passports. We must pass annual physicals and annual tests of knowledge of the region. For that level expertise we are paid $7.15 or less per hour by our agencies. Without tips it is not worth it.

 

Remember that I choose to use a friendlier sign, but reinforce it with my two comments. The drivers who say nothing about tips use that more aggressive sign and do find that they make more money than if they use the kind of sign that I use.

 

Lets keep this going. I am very interested in what you have to say.

[SamFritz]

I'm thinking that mentioning it 3 times is very solicitious. We know you're getting paid a wage, and yes if you do a good job of guiding us, you will get a tip, but by saying that you'll be helping us down the stairs at the end and thanking us for our tip - that doesn't sit well with me. Often DH does the tipping and I would feel awkward with you holding my arm, almost waiting for me to hand you some money, when DH has already given it to you. I don't like the way it's being pushed; I often push back and it isn't nice. Leave the sign at the front and enjoy what you do get. If it isn't enough, maybe it's time to take a different career path.

 

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

 

I don't do that. Almost always one person gives the tip for each family group and I understand that, even if he was getting off after you I wouldn't be giving you any vibe. I love what I do and people frequently write to the company about what a great time they had on my tour. I get several letters like that each year. It supplements my career as a school teacher very nicely.

[Perfect Stranger]

If you think you're doing the right thing and don't receive complaints as you say, why did you feel the need to post here? The majority of the responses here have been that they don't appreciate tip solicitation, yet you continue to defend yourself and then ask for even more responses. :confused:

[goneclear]

If I am asked for a tip the amount I was going to tip will be reduced. The service you give should do the talking for you. (No problem with the sign)

[Gonzo70]

There would be no tip from me if a tour guide did what you state you do. I find the comment you said you make at the end (regarding shaking my hands and taking the tip) to be passive-aggressive, presumptuous, and unprofessional. I do not mind the sign per se (I agree some people do need some gently prompting or they will not realize a tip is appropriate for good service) but would object to the 15% comment on the sign. You are not a waiter at a restauraunt. The 15% does not apply to a tour bus driver/guide.

 

A sign stating that a tip is appreciated if one enjoys their tour is sufficient. A gentle comment at the end of the tour about how a tip is appreciated would also not bother me.

[SamFritz]

[quote name='Perfect Stranger']If you think you're doing the right thing and don't receive complaints as you say, why did you feel the need to post here? The majority of the responses here have been that they don't appreciate tip solicitation, yet you continue to defend yourself and then ask for even more responses. :confused:[/quote]

I'm asking because I do feel like I'm doing a balancing act when it comes to "Gratuity Education" on a tour. There are people who don't tip because they can't afford to (usually larger families who didn't plan ahead very well). People who don't tip because they don't know that their tips are an vital part of their guide's income. (Either people from other countries where tipping is not the routine, or people who have not take guided tours before.) And people who don't tip because they are looking for excuses not to. While I've found the balance that delivers me the most income, I am interested in hearing how that balance impacts my passengers.

I'm also asking, because on another thread, the question was asked if you should tip your excursion guides at all, and at least a third of the responses said that they did not ever tip excursion guides. This is, in part, my meager attempt to raise awareness of tipping tour guides.

I do think that asking the frequenters of this forum may not be the best target audience for my land based, Niagara Falls tour question. People here are mostly experienced world travellers, who understand the importance of gratuities generally, (if not for shore excursions :)). The typical Nagara Falls visitor is usually from within 1000 miles, has driven to the Falls, and has quite possibly never taken a tour before. The aren't familiar with the expectations as many of you are.

[seacloud]

In my opinion, a sign is great, but saying that you'll thank me
for my tip as I leave is not appropriate. You said you are a teacher.
Part of teaching is respecting the pupil. Part of being a tour/host
is respecting the guest.

[PhoneGoddess]

I don't have any problem with sign either, but I don't like to be verbally solicited for a tip. I am very put off by it and it definitely would reduce the amount of tip that I would give, if any. I agree with printingchick that I have already purchased a service and I will only tip if the service is above and beyond. That has not always been the case on tours that I have taken, therefore I do not feel obligated to tip just because it is expected.

[Name Of The Game]

There's a well known tour guide in St. Martin named Bernard that we've toured twice with. He's very informative, kind and accommodating and his tour is very reasonably priced. Both times we've tipped him 50% or more of the price of the tour because he did NOT mention tipping plus he does a great job.

[cfmarie79]

That's super excessive... I would be incredibly turned off and probably not tip. Sorry, but to say you are going to thank people for their tips before you have even received them is inexcusable.

[vacation luvver]

i have no problem with a sign on the bus that mentions tipping. I do have a problem, though, with an amount, such as 15% or 25%, being specified. The amount of my tip is based on how long the tour is, not on how much I paid for it.

I remember a really bad tour guide we had in Puerto Rico. We booked a shore excursion that took us to several places, including the Bacardi Rum facility. After we got on the bus, the tour guide announced that instead of following the itinerary (we were supposed to visit a couple of places before we went to Bacardi), we would go to Bacardi immediately. This was HER choice. When we arrived at Bacardi, they were not prepared to give us a tour right away (which is why the cruiseship had booked a later time for us). So we sat there in the hot sun for more than two hours waiting for them to be ready for us. We got back to the cruise ship at almost 7:30 PM, while we should have been back by 6:00 PM. This interfered with people's reservations at the surcharge restaurants. They had made their reservations thinking they would be back by 6:00 PM.

And that's not the end of the story! Our excursion was supposed to include time for shopping. We didn't do any shopping before we were taken back to the ship at almost 7:30 PM. The tour guide said that she would drop off those who wanted to go shopping in the shopping area, and she said that they would have to make their own way back to the ship afterwards.

No one on that excursion tipped the tour guide even one penny. She even passed around a form for all of us to fill out and write what we liked or didn't like about the excursion, and we all said that we didn't like sitting around for two hours in the hot sun.

[wentworth]

Sam,

Other than your signs, I'd be quite upset for your to think you had to
tell me TWO more time to tip. I can read and my hearing and comprehension is also up to par.

[ILoveScotland]

SamFritz, I'm with many of the others. The sign is fine although I'd prefer not to have the suggestion of 15%.

Otherwise, if I were on your bus I would reduce your tip each time you made any mention whatsoever about a tip. And your last spiel would so offend me that you'd get nothing.

You say you get more when you make these announcements. I have to wonder if some people simply respond out of guilt and nothing more.

I can only imagine your hard work, but the tipping is not because you get up early or work after everyone is off the bus. The tipping is given over and above what people have already paid and is given for quality of service, not just because the service was provided.

I have never given 50% as someone said they'd done, but I am generous when I am pleased with a tour guide's knowledge and helpfulness. I can think of only one occasion when I was so annoyed that I gave nothing, and in that case (which was in Europe) I complained to the hotel concierge who'd booked the tour for us, and at his suggestion I wrote a letter of complaint to the tour company. Edited July 15, 2009 by ILoveScotland

[christee52]

As I am a seasoned traveler I do know that tour guides and drivers lived on their tips. And unless the tour guide is horrible or the driver drives us over a mountain I always tip 20%. I do not need to be reminded about tipping ever! But for traveler who has limited experience or are cheap maybe a well written sign or a friendly reminder at the end of the tour is a good thing. In this day and time I can't imagine a person not tipping for services rendered.

[notentirelynormal]

Count me in as another one that gives less the more I'm asked. A sign saying "tips are appreciated" near the front of the bus that we can see as we leave would be fine. Anything over that, including how much you want, would reduce what I pay. Just a thought, but perhaps the drivers that get more are giving a better tour then you and not because of their signs. You are already paid to drive me from point A to B and be pleasant. The fact that you have to get the bus prepared and do paperwork afterwards has nothing to do with me and I could care less. If you increase my enjoyment of the trip, your tip will increase. If you nag me, your tip will go down or become non existent. I really don't care what your job requirements are (you mentioned yearly physicals) just like you don't care what my requirements are for my job. Its not relevant. With your parting comment, you'd probably get nothing from me.