Something Small I picked up for "tipping"

[JimP]

I at times wonder what the difference is between handing over some Rand vs giving a gift when people say that all they will do is to trade the gift for some beer. Now it's been a couple of years since I have had a beer but can't you purchase beer with cash such as Rand?

I don't see what the big deal is. If you want to give out gifts then give out gifts in addition to your tips. The workers are going to get beer one way or another, either by trading your gift or handing the beer salesman some cash.

 

[flying sailor]

Oh yeah, minor everyday things also, Had some hats to give out, I think 8 or 9. Had some koozies made which were enjoyed. I knew that everyone was going to work hard to make my time the best possible! They did, and I appreciate it. Taught my wife how to tip. No one gets up every morning and says I want to be a server, house keeper for the rest of my life. I try and make the servers in restaurants laugh- how many crabby people do they see in a shift? Everyone has to pay the same price for gas, milk, bread and so on. Some people dont have to look in their wallet. I used to also, but steady work and careful spending has paid off. Cheers everyone!

 

[revturbo9967]

Traded for beer? One outfit I hunted with I saw the Leatherman's being used a few years later. Same for the hats and other clothing I gave in addition to $$$$ tips. That outfit's policy was, show up drunk or drinking and you're no longer employed. Also told them he didn't want to see anybody wearing those clothes in town. Contrary to some posts, there is no one size fits all tipping protocol.
Cutting to the chase. some outfits hire drunks/day workers and I heard that from different freelance PHs and outfitters..

This is the same policy all over Africa, but that doesn’t mean they don’t drink on the regular when not working in camp.

I was told by my ph that one of the villagers who was screaming for meat from my buffalo openly yelled he would trade the meat for alcohol.

 

[Hogpatrol]

This is the same policy all over Africa, but that doesn’t mean they don’t drink on the regular when not working in camp.

I was told by my ph that one of the villagers who was screaming for meat from my buffalo openly yelled he would trade the meat for alcohol.

One venue I hunted, they all lived in camp. AFAIK, there wasn't any booze there. Some would go to town on the weekends to visit relatives so yes, they probably drink there but don't show up for work hungover on Monday.

 

[Doubleplay]

I took perfume kits for the ladies who do the house keeping. Theory is what would a women like that they wouldn't buy because of more pressing needs. Took a new Case knife for my Tracker and huge sharpening stone. Also whiskey for all the PH's, not to be shared with clients. Cash tips(USD) are given in envelopes in accordance with protocols according to lodge manager and my PH. Also took a case of Jack Links beef jerky. ( 15-20 pcs) which was really well received, kept in truck and pockets. Like I mentioned before, my bag was searched, wonder what they thought about whiskey, perfume and knives, and the beef jerky. Sounds like a good time brewing!

You took beef jerky to the land of biltong??? How interesting, lol.

 

[375Fox]

I at times wonder what the difference is between handing over some Rand vs giving a gift when people say that all they will do is to trade the gift for some beer. Now it's been a couple of years since I have had a beer but can't you purchase beer with cash such as Rand?

I don't see what the big deal is. If you want to give out gifts then give out gifts in addition to your tips. The workers are going to get beer one way or another, either by trading your gift or handing the beer salesman some cash.

The difference would be you spend $5 and they get $1 in exchange. There are legitimate uses for the money as well.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Sorry to say but a roll of $5 bills would be a lot easier to carry and hand out and equally or more appreciated.

True, but small US bills get a lower exchange rate. Foreign banks like new, $100 notes and discount and even refuse some smaller notes. It is usually a better deal for all to tip the staff in local currency. The PH and Outfitters many times prefer USD, it's best to ask ahead of time.

 

[JimP]

The difference would be you spend $5 and they get $1 in exchange. There are legitimate uses for the money as well.

I wasn't saying that they don't spend the money on actual things that are needed, just that if they want beer or any other booze they are going to get it, either by trading your gifts or just by buying it.

 

[flying sailor]

You took beef jerky to the land of biltong??? How interesting, lol.

yes, Jennifer at Travel Express said it would go thru customs. I did very much enjoy their biltong. There were several PH's and my tracker that enjoyed my US jerky, actually it disappeared quite quickly.

 

[Firebird]

I was surprised in South Africa the “crew” had nicer knives than I did as well as good coats and boots and things. Cash was king but I’m sure they can move gifts to kids or just trade/sell it.
We took a dozen of those cabelas multi tools and they were the only thing that got stolen from my brothers suitcase somewhere along the luggage shuffle

 

[mdwest]

I have given little things like this as extras on most of my trips. I have also been told every time it will be traded for beer or tobacco by ph’s. Do what you want not what others think you should….

Ive been told this a few times as well..

but it has not been what I have witnessed or experienced..

Ive sat and watched the trackers and skinners use the multi-tools and little inexpensive pocket knives Ive given them...

and watched housekeepers, trackers, skinners, etc.. walking around camp or walking down the road leaving camp to go home, wearing and using the headlamps Ive given them..

Maybe they do indeed ultimately trade them off for a beer or a pack of smokes..

But I would think if thats the case, then giving them money would result in the same thing...

If beer and smokes are the priorities in their lives, then the cash you give them is going to be used to buy... you guessed it... beer and smokes.. (they wont be buying baby food... or they would have traded the multi-tool for baby food too)...

at least with a tool there is some chance they may actually see value or utility in whatever is given and appreciate it.. if not, no big deal.. they'll get a few cigarettes and enjoy their evening...


As others have already said several times.. I dont think little gifts, or candies, etc.. replace a cash tip at the end of the trip.. typically I give gifts and candies early on, and through the duration of the trip as people render services, do a good job, etc.. and I want to show them they are appreciated.. and then on the last day, prior to leaving camp, present everyone with a cash tip (of substantially more value)..

 

[ActionBob]

I do not think people read my post correctly. I specifically stated these are not viewed as tips. I, of course, will leave cash. These do not take the place of any cash. Just something extra.

I think they are great! I've done that myself. I'll usually give those gifts up front or early on once I learn who is doing what. Then cash at the end. But in the type of cash they are using locally, if at all possible.

 

[ActionBob]

Exactly. I wouldn’t be surprised if the op was seeing if this was good enough for a tip vs cash tip and then backtracked a bit once realizing it wasn’t going to fly.

His last sentence "This is obviously not my tip; just an extra."

 

[ActionBob]

Depending where you are going, some things cannot be bought. These tools can easily fall into that category.

Candy is definitely a hit every time! We must have taken 40 pounds with to Tanzania and it was fully appreciated

We handed some out everyday on the truck and at every celebration in camp.

 

[Hogpatrol]

They can take up a little space but I bring Hot Hands with me. I never realized how much they would be liked. I now bring over a box. Candy goes over big too, especially with the local kids. From what I was told, candy is a luxury and the only time the kids get it is from the hunters. One trip, in advance I contacted my freelance PH and he asked for mint Lifesavers. Brought two bags and IIRC, both bags were gone by the last day of the hunt. The most interesting request was for Hershey's chocolate powder. We got a chocolate cake for dessert that trip.

 

[JimP]

Depending where you are going, some things cannot be bought. These tools can easily fall into that category.

Candy is definitely a hit every time! We must have taken 40 pounds with to Tanzania and it was fully appreciated

We handed some out everyday on the truck and at every celebration in camp.

On my last hunt I had some full size Snickers bars and on the first day after a full day of hunting I pulled a couple out for the ride back to the lodge. I asked my PH if he would like one and he declined, I then offered one to my tracker who was sitting in the back seat. He gladly took it, my PH mentioned to me that the tracker had bad teeth. I'm not sure if he ate it or what but he was happy.

 

[Quest#1]

Ive had owners of outfits actually say don’t bring candy. Rotten teeth and diabetes are expensive/deadly in the bush. Especially when the outfit paid for all medical bills for the staff. But again everyone has a opinion.
The most appreciated thing i have seem by owners and staff was buying bicycles and helmets in town for the camp. Supported multiple ppl in country with that transaction

 

[fourfive8]

Hunters on safari are not going to cause nor cure diabetes or bad teeth by taking or not taking candy. We in the West tend to judge things based on our paradigms not on the realities of the people living outside our paradigm.

Don't underestimate some things we take for granted. I remember driving through some small, remote villages where the local kids would chase the safari vehicles in a contest to gather empty water bottles tossed from the vehicles. They have many uses for empty bottles. From storing their drinks and water to storing and selling gasoline or to use as a type of personal Pez dispensers for groundnuts (peanuts). Next thing you know someone will try to virtue signal about the litter left over after the already repurposed/reused water bottles have broken and been discarded by the local kids using them!

 

[Quest#1]

I don’t live in any African country so I can’t confirm anything other than what the people that live in country, run businesses and pay medical bills on the staff have said..


Other than that bring all the candy or whatever else you want pack over there. Just enjoy yourself!

 

[ActionBob]

On my last hunt I had some full size Snickers bars and on the first day after a full day of hunting I pulled a couple out for the ride back to the lodge. I asked my PH if he would like one and he declined, I then offered one to my tracker who was sitting in the back seat. He gladly took it, my PH mentioned to me that the tracker had bad teeth. I'm not sure if he ate it or what but he was happy.

I've avoided chocolate because it's usually hot at least enough of the trip to melt it

Too many PH'S seem to think a sack of guts is good enough for his "people". You can bet @Just Gina and I both take notice how an Outfitter and PH treat the people working under them

American sensibilities and all being what they are