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This feature article was snagged from Tipping is a subject with a great
variety of personal opinion and practice, and also one where
it's easy to feel insecure. I've learned over time just to do
the best I can, and then not sweat it. Here are my thoughts
and guidelines. As always, let me know if you have other
views. Of course, practices vary from country to country, and
this is just a general guide, mostly for less developed
countries. One of the hardest things is just
having enough small change on hand, but when you do, a dollar
or so here and there is much appreciated by the often poorly
paid and hard working people who help make a trip possible. I
often have porters lugging 5 or 6 heavy bags up and down
stairs, and I try to average about a dollar a bag for this
kind of heavy lifting. My personal perspective is that it
is better to tip small than not at all, especially in
situations where people of humble means are helping you daily.
Even though airport porters can be so numerous as to be a
nuisance, I still feel it is best to show some generosity and
let them help you with a bag, even though you can handle it
yourself. I tend not to tip taxi drivers in
most of the countries where I travel, unless they have gone
out of their way to be especially helpful. I'd welcome
contrary views on this practice. In restaurants, the "automatic" 15%
rule doesn't apply in many places, and often a service charge
is added on. You can watch for that or ask about it. In any
event I usually add about 10% for good service. On the trail, you might have mules
or llamas or porters, or a camp guard or cook. If you are on a
guided trip, ask your guide who will handle tips for these
people. Even if your guide provides a tip, feel free to give
an additional gift if you are so inclined. Money is always
appreciated, and groups often pool their resources for this.
Clothing and equipment is also much appreciated. A fleece
jacket, hat, gloves-anything you might have planned to retire
soon or part with, and it will very likely be better quality
than they could afford and they will be happy to have it. It's
also fine to give nothing. On guided trips it is common for
groups or individuals to tip their guide as well. Again, this
is an individual decision and you should tip or not, depending
on your circumstances and those of your trip, as well as your
feelings about the service, attention and effort of your
guide! Guides generally are in the business because they enjoy
facilitating rewarding, educational and meaningful
experiences. Regardless of the "chemistry" between you and the
guide-which is often a matter of luck-a tip will be seen as
your acknowledgement of the effort on your guide's part. I
wouldn't worry about the amount. Sometimes groups get together
to pool tips. A individual's tip amounting to a daily wage for
a day or two is not unusual, although sometimes a guide might
receive several times that amount. The trip length, and your
perception of their efforts will obviously affect the
amount. For your information, guides' daily
wages vary greatly, but will typically range from $60 to $80 a
day for a beginning guide, to $200 or more a day for an
internationally certified guide, depending on the trip. The
work is seasonal, physically, mentally and emotionally
demanding, and often entails exposure to risk, so I hope few
would argue that guides are overpaid! A note on self-employed or
"independent" guides: at the risk of sticking my neck out and
annoying some colleagues, let me say that in general tipping a
self-employed guide is less common than tipping an employee
guide. The logic is that self-employed people are presumably
free to set their fees to cover their costs and compensate
themselves adequately. On the other hand, this should not
discourage anyone from showing their appreciation for a job
well done with a gift of any kind. Such gestures are always
received gratefully, as a token not only of your kindness, but
also as an affirmation of the guide's professional and
personal contribution to your experience. As always, let us know your views
on this touchy subject. --Kathy More suggestions? Different views?
E-mail
MW.
.
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