quote:

Originally posted by BEGNO:
I have always wanted to tip for good service. When I first started I didn't know what was fair or reasonable. I have a handle on that now after 11 safaris and am comfortable that my tips are reasonable. I consider myself a good and reasonable tipper but not excessive. I have never tried to compete with the wealthy, they can afford to be more generous than me.
I have left several safaris owing money to the operator, which I would wire when I got home, but have always held back from $1K to $2K for tips which I enjoy giving out in person and individually. I consider tipping to be part of the cost of any hunt or fishing trip and always plan for it.
I just got back from a vacation with the family to Australia and Bali, Indonesia which are both non-tipping cultures. I tipped anyway, because I like to. That is just me.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
I suspect virtually none of you have worked for tips. I have. I worked my way through college and professional school tending bar.

I tend to over tip. My issue.

BUT when the average daily pay in Zim is 2.80 US leaving a little extra cash can be life altering for these people where the unemployment rate is 85%. It also helps the industry stay alive a little longer. It is dangling by a rotting thread as it is.

Compare it to your 6000 US Roan trophy fee.

Just my thoughts. I like to help people.

Jeff

quote:

Tipping outside of a hunting camp in Australia is considered to be insulting.

quote:

For a hunt, I tip what I can afford. We are hunting in Scotland in September. I plan to tip what I can afford, easy as that.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Folks,

A little story about tipping as told to me by Garry Kelly. Garry some years ago booked a client who is now very well known on AR and in the safari hunting world on his first DG safari. They shot buffalo, elephant and an array of PG. Garry's tracker of many years was a Zulu and a very proud one at that. At safari's end Mr. Well known handed this tracker one set of his very worn clothes with a $10 bill on top. The tracker said "no thank you" and walked away. I always loved that story.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Folks,

A little story about tipping as told to me by Garry Kelly. Garry some years ago booked a client who is now very well known on AR and in the safari hunting world on his first DG safari. They shot buffalo, elephant and an array of PG. Garry's tracker of many years was a Zulu and a very proud one at that. At safari's end Mr. Well known handed this tracker one set of his very worn clothes with a $10 bill on top. The tracker said "no thank you" and walked away. I always loved that story.

Mark

I bet the tracker would have not walked away if it was $500 that was offered!

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
And ten bucks is better than nothing
Tracker has big chip on his shoulder to act that way
It might sound funny but it's not, it's sad
That usually tells me " It's an asshole " and pompous ass to boot

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
And ten bucks is better than nothing
Tracker has big chip on his shoulder to act that way
It might sound funny but it's not, it's sad
That usually tells me " It's an asshole " and pompous ass to boot

If the hunter has the right to insult the tracker with a tip that is comical, seems that the tracker is perfectly free to insult the hunter with a polite refusal of the tip to send a message as well. I will agree with you that the incident is sad . . . but it was the hunter that made it so.

A waiter in a very nice restaurant works hard all evening to make a dinner a special event for an individual and his guests. When the bill comes the customer leaves the waiter a $1.00 tip and a stick of Wrigley's Doublemint gum. The waiter says "no thank you". The customer earned the no thank you and the customer is the asshole, not the waiter.

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
And ten bucks is better than nothing
Tracker has big chip on his shoulder to act that way
It might sound funny but it's not, it's sad
That usually tells me " It's an asshole " and pompous ass to boot

If the hunter has the right to insult the tracker with a tip that is comical, seems that the tracker is perfectly free to insult the hunter with a polite refusal of the tip to send a message as well. I will agree with you that the incident is sad . . . but it was the hunter that made it so.

A waiter in a very nice restaurant works hard all evening to make a dinner a special event for an individual and his guests. When the bill comes the customer leaves the waiter a $1.00 tip and a stick of Wrigley's Doublemint gum. The waiter says "no thank you". The customer earned the no thank you and the customer is the asshole, not the waiter.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I wouldn't be surprised if the ones who tell others to tip big go on eBay and sell their old underwear.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Tips:

I think I've got this thing figured out as to my attitude toward tipping. I need to draw a comparison to make my point.

A few years go a friend did some work on my house. As a friend, he did not charge me anything nor did he expect to be paid. It was what friends do. He likes to hunt and wanted to save and buy a bolt action rifle in .300 Remington Ultra Mag.

A few months later we went to a gun show and he saw the rifle he wanted. I asked him if he was sure and then said to the vendor, "Fill in the paperwork with his name and I will pay for it." The look of appreciation and surprise on his face was priceless. I will never forget that moment.

Over a year later he again did some work for me. And, again, he wanted a firearm--a semi auto pistol for a .45 Win. Mag. This time it was different. He took me to a place for the highest priced pistol he could find, wanted dies and brass, and was angered when I offered to order him one and he moaned that I should include an additional $20 for postage. I bought him the pistol, but it was not the same experience for me.

And that is my point about tipping.

I'm a fair tipper, I would guess. Not a rich guy so don't over tip, but I tip an OK amount. No matter, though, when a tip is expected it takes the fun out of giving. On most of my overseas hunts, and my one lame hunt in Idaho, the issue of tipping is brought up prior to the hunt. It is a not-so-suttle hint so as not to forget to tip. Sometimes the hint is mentioned in passing. Other times it is known as a solid fact not only to tip, but in a few cases, how much is expected! I read of an elk guide, Utah maybe, where the information states that at the end of the hunt a 15-30% gratuity is "expected." Two Zim PHs have told me how much they expect whilst driving to the camp from the airport. A guide Down Under told me to tip very well so his workers would return next year for the good money.

When housekeepers in Zim, when I'm on vacation, get $5-10 for doing my laundry they are very appreciative as it is unexpected. I tipped a waiter $8 for good service at a plaza place in Harare a few days ago and I thought he was going to cry. Unexpected tips and their reaction are the best!

For me, it's not about the tip amount it is the reminders and expectations that is a bit uncomfortable.

In five days my hunt in Zim will end and all staff will get tips. And all expect them. They will all thank me and shake my hand. In today's hunting world, tips are expected. And that's that.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Guys,

I use the verbiage "Gratuity at hunter's discretion". To me that let's the uninformed know that a tip is customary but the amount or lack of is completely up to the hunter. I don't see how that is offensive.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Guys,

I use the verbiage "Gratuity at hunter's discretion". To me that let's the uninformed know that a tip is customary but the amount or lack of is completely up to the hunter. I don't see how that is offensive.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Tips:

I think I've got this thing figured out as to my attitude toward tipping. I need to draw a comparison to make my point.

A few years go a friend did some work on my house. As a friend, he did not charge me anything nor did he expect to be paid. It was what friends do. He likes to hunt and wanted to save and buy a bolt action rifle in .300 Remington Ultra Mag.

A few months later we went to a gun show and he saw the rifle he wanted. I asked him if he was sure and then said to the vendor, "Fill in the paperwork with his name and I will pay for it." The look of appreciation and surprise on his face was priceless. I will never forget that moment.

Over a year later he again did some work for me. And, again, he wanted a firearm--a semi auto pistol for a .45 Win. Mag. This time it was different. He took me to a place for the highest priced pistol he could find, wanted dies and brass, and was angered when I offered to order him one and he moaned that I should include an additional $20 for postage. I bought him the pistol, but it was not the same experience for me.

And that is my point about tipping.

I'm a fair tipper, I would guess. Not a rich guy so don't over tip, but I tip an OK amount. No matter, though, when a tip is expected it takes the fun out of giving. On most of my overseas hunts, and my one lame hunt in Idaho, the issue of tipping is brought up prior to the hunt. It is a not-so-suttle hint so as not to forget to tip. Sometimes the hint is mentioned in passing. Other times it is known as a solid fact not only to tip, but in a few cases, how much is expected! I read of an elk guide, Utah maybe, where the information states that at the end of the hunt a 15-30% gratuity is "expected." Two Zim PHs have told me how much they expect whilst driving to the camp from the airport. A guide Down Under told me to tip very well so his workers would return next year for the good money.

When housekeepers in Zim, when I'm on vacation, get $5-10 for doing my laundry they are very appreciative as it is unexpected. I tipped a waiter $8 for good service at a plaza place in Harare a few days ago and I thought he was going to cry. Unexpected tips and their reaction are the best!

For me, it's not about the tip amount it is the reminders and expectations that is a bit uncomfortable.

In five days my hunt in Zim will end and all staff will get tips. And all expect them. They will all thank me and shake my hand. In today's hunting world, tips are expected. And that's that.
Cal

quote:

To me, Yes, big tips are wonderful, but in the end I am going to do the EXACT same job, put out the EXACT same amount of effort, and when the hunt is over and the clients leave, whether there is No tip, a 12 pack of Beer, or some cash, regardless the amount, my satisfaction comes from knowing that I did the best job I could and the concept of getting a tip never entered into the equation.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Guys,

I keep hearing about the "Expected" amount of the tip or language to that affect. SO what is that amount? I tip what seems reasonable to me. I have no idea what the housekeeping guy expects and frankly I don't give that any thought at all.

The old line "Much to do about nothing" comes to mind.

Mark