Welcome to Insight Vacations' Online Community WHAT’S HAPPENING AT INSIGHT VACATIONS? Tour Director Hotlines and Q&A Sessions tipping Read-Only Topic|
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would it not be more comfortable for all concerned if tour directors, drivers etc. were all paid by the company - rather than at the end of each trip. Always very awkward. (Obviously the clients would be covering the payment in the original cost of the trip.)
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Virtual Traveller Plus |
I realize that Australia is not a "tipping culture" and I respect that.
But tipping is one way to recognize superior performance of the TD and driver. Or conversally if poor performance a lessor or no tip. Remember tipping is optional, not mandated. If the tip was part of the purchase price a poor performing TD would be receiving as much of a tip as a superior performing TD. I don't want to start an uproar, just stating my opinion.  "Remember a tour is not a vacation, it is a tour" |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
HT2, you've said what I was thinking but in a much more concise and precise manner than I could. It does come down to what each person believes and feels is appropriate.
Happy Trails!! |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
jonquil, I don't find tipping awkward at all. I put the suggested amount for a tip in an envelope and then as the tour progresses, I either add to that or take some back and then at the end of the tour, hand the envelope to the TD and the driver. But I do realise that it can be very unsettling/confusing for 1st time travellers from non tipping countries.
That is why these BB's are such a great resource. I'm with you HT2 & johninwa. Tipping isn't the 'norm' here but some of us do tip, especially when eating out. It's just not a % tip, more a 'rounding up' tip. |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
Whilst I'm happy to tip, and DO tip according to the "performance" (for want of a better term) of our TD and driver, I did get a bit sick of it on our 2 recent back-to-back tours Not only did we have the TD and driver (2 on one tour) there were also local guides and even a national guide in Morocco. It all added a significant cost to the tours. My question really is "Are Insight TDs, drivers and local guides paid enough by the company or do they really depend on tips to make a decent living?" I know this question is very personal and I'd understand if it were not answered But it does bug me that we were continually reminded (more on one tour than the other) about the tipping.
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
Dragonlady, interesting that you mention being "continually reminded" about the tipping. For me, the more they remind me the less the tip. That is not exceptional customer service to me. Holland America has a no tipping policy, and I therefore assume they pay a little better. I found that the ppl who loved what they were doing didn't change. Those that didn't gave less as they did not have to go the extra mile for a tip. I don't know the ultimate answer as I've always lived in a tipping society. However, it seems that in some cases mediocre might become the norm and the expected. I think you and your fellow Australians would be better to tell that. I for one don't mind rewarding "exceptional" service, nor am I afraid to not reward less than that.
Happy Trails!! |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
OMG.....!!!!
DID SOMEONE MENTION TIPPING......THIS IS A NO-NO. NOT THAT LONG AGO, THE BB ELDERS PROHIBITED THIS SUBJECT, AND, MOREOVER, CURTAILED ALL FURTHER THREADS TO BOOT.........SHOULD THE ORIGINAL THREADS STILL BE IN THE ARCHIVES, THEY WOULD EASILY FILL SOME 35 PAGES OF POSTS.  |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
Cow tipping is OK in Chicago, USA!
Cat's Inheritance: We will now use it on travel in honor of our late cat, the "Little Guy" Whiskers! |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
hmmm. I seem to remember a 'tipping' thread on the Trafalgar Board being canned but I don't remember one on this board being canned. Mind you, my memory is not all that crash hot, and I haven't done a search, so I'm happy to be corrected. |
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Virtual Traveller Elite |
Pauline.......
You stand "corrected". All of the earlier Posts on Tipping (which went on forever) were unique to the INSIGHT BB. P.S. I found it quite humorous to see the new generation of travelers nearly mirroring the original Tipping narrative. Cheers...... TC |
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