Tipping for a Hand with Lines

[janeck]

Hi, is there a standard for how much to tip a marina employee who helps out with lines?

Thanks!

[foggysail]

I expect dock help as part of my expensive slip cost. I tip nothing.

Foggy

[DennisM]

I was wondering the same thing, janeck. Sometimes I do what foggysail does. Other times I've coughed up a $5 bill for especially helpful dockhands.

[svHyLyte]

We generally provide some kind of a tip to the staff when we depart a marina, normally a modest amount contained within a Thank You card, of which we carry a stock aboard the boat. We typically give $5.00 each to the line handlers that have helped us "Thanks! Have a beer or two on us..." and $10 to $20 to the harbor master depending upon how helpful he/she has been. It isn't much but it does help promote "good will" and by giving upon our departure doesn't create unrealistic expectations that, when not fulfilled, cause resentment or discrimination between those who tip and those who do (can) not. Note too that in many marinas operated by Yacht Clubs, tipping is frowned upon or expressly prohibited although "Thank You" cards are not...

FWIW...

[boatman61]

Its what they're paid to do... if they go above and beyond their duties then at your discretion on what you figure its worth....

[MarkJ]

You give people money for doing their jobs at Marinas in the USA?

I know we have to do that in your country in restaurants.... I always leave a nickle - or is it a dime? The shiny one - looks cute.
Now you guys want me to do that in a marina too???????


I think my cruise of the USofA will be brief.

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

You give people money for doing their jobs at Marinas in the USA?

I know we have to do that in your country in restaurants.... I always leave a nickle - or is it a dime? The shiny one - looks cute.
Now you guys want me to do that in a marina too???????


I think my cruise of the USofA will be brief.

Resturants--- yes, I cna understand being reluctant to tip. I certainly am!!!! But resturants are different, most waitresses are paid $2-5/hour! They rely on tips and tips are considered part of their salary. Most of the waitresses I see are single young mothers struggling just to stay off welfare.

I tip 20% if I get good service, usually most service is good.

Foggy

[Auspicious]

I've only had real help from one marina ever. Mostly the dockhands pull when they shouldn't and fail to get a turn on when asked. I dock without help ashore in the normal course of things so tipping isn't an issue.

Does that make me crotchety?

[shadow]

I'm like most of you all, If they go way above and beyond the call of duty, then it is actually my pleasure and privilege to give a nice tip, if anything, I always offer drinks or coffee, depending on the time of day...

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

You give people money for doing their jobs at Marinas in the USA?

I know we have to do that in your country in restaurants.... I always leave a nickle - or is it a dime? The shiny one - looks cute.
Now you guys want me to do that in a marina too???????
I think my cruise of the USofA will be brief.

It has gotten to the point in the US that take out servers expect to be tipped.

Maje

[ReMetau]

Originally Posted by Tom and Maje

It has gotten to the point in the US that take out servers expect to be tipped.

Maje

I know! I can't believe all the places where I see a tip jar. I think I'll sit one out on the dock in front of my boat.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

You give people money for doing their jobs at Marinas in the USA?

I think my cruise of the USofA will be brief.

Mark--

Believe it or not it's an improvement. More than a few generations of people in this country have been raised with the idea they should be paid for doing nothing at all.

To me, giving a little sweetner to those that make an extra effort is just a way of saying Thanks. Frankly, some of the kids we see working in the marinas are really paid very little so a sweetner is greatly appreciated.

FWIW...

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by shadow

I'm like most of you all, If they go way above and beyond the call of duty,

And what would that over and beyond be?

Meeting you at the boat with cold beers?
Sacrificing themselves between your hull and the pontoon so as to protect the paint?

Anything else would be their job, which they get paid for already.

[rebel heart]

Depends if they're employees (the manager, assistant manager, maintenance guy, etc) or actual dock hands. Regular employees have regular jobs so they're making money, a 16 year old kid running around tying up boats isn't making anything (probably) except for tips so you might want to be nice to him.

I'd probably give him $5 every couple of weeks. If I wasn't moving the boat around a lot. I hate having people wait around to collect money, and would rather just walk past him at random, shake his hand and say thanks, and give him a few bucks. Or leave it at the office so the management knows that you're happy with his service and they can give it to him.

[shadow]

Originally Posted by cat man do

And what would that over and beyond be?

Meeting you at the boat with cold beers?
Sacrificing themselves between your hull and the pontoon so as to protect the paint?

Anything else would be their job, which they get paid for already.

Nooooooo, I've seen some handlers just do their jobs like drones with not a word or emotion on their face, which is fine, as they are doing their jobs. Then, I've had others that are always cheerful, see things that they can assist on without a request and are always cheerful when they see you, etc... I've actually seen a couple of guys sacrifice their legs and arms to prevent dumb handling from the boat operator.. So yah, it does exist...