Tipping Guide

[curtism1234]

There is a monumental difference between jobs in which people get paid in full by their employer to do a job (ie fast food worker) and a job in which tips are customary because real wage is so low (ie a sit down restaurant server).

As it pertains to restaurants, I always start with a 20% tip (25% or more at a fancy restaurant or or super cheap place) and adjust up or down based on service.

Tour guides, PH/staff are part of the tipping culture imo. When factoring in budget, I will always pre-estimate tips. Doesn't mean I will hand out all that money. On the other hand, I could hand out more.

If nothing else, these are people who are in charge of your safety and overall experience thousands of miles away from home. If tipping helps ensure your safe and enjoyable travels, it's money well spent; it's insurance. Obviously there is room for complacency, but that is where doing your research comes in to find a well oiled operation in the first place.

 

[Chago]

I really don't care to jump into the argument. But I'll add my two cents. I have only hunted in Africa once, but have hunted throughout the us, Canada and Europe. Every single guide I have sat with has talked to me about you cheap skates. And I promise you they are taking better care of me then they are you. Every guide who has ever guided me has invited me back with discounts, special preferred treatment, honey holes he hasn't hunted in a while, prefered dates etc. They text me regualarily. I am very kind to them, and I tip them well. And of course if they are miserable guides, I don't. That's truly the end of the argument. The old saying, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. If your satisfied with the status quo, then just pay that. If you want above, pay for it. As every single one of you has negotiated in your own salaries. In this scenario the employee works harder for a tip and not a salary raise. You all worked harder to get a raise. Or to show value. I'm in the sales world, sales reps work harder to make more money. But again in this case the sale is a tip for busting my ass for you.

And the Dean2..... Give your heads a shake honestly. Some of the comments coming from you are ridiculous. I've seen guys like you in camp many times. Your the very guys the guide talks to me about after. And it's not due to how much money you left behind. It's just that overall attitude.

To the guys who feel you need to meet a certain number. Absolutely not. You even saying you tip what you can afford is enough to show the kinda person you are. And that will show in your hunt and your folks will take great care of you. This is not a competition.

And to the euros who tipping isn't a custom. I can appreciate that. And I don't blame you for this being awkward. But let me be blunt. If your waking into a country spending 5 figures to shoot animals, your doing ok in life. You can afford to give a tip to some trackers who worked there asses off for you all week. Carried your rifles, carried your dead game, spotted the game, sized it so you would be satisfied, layed behind the game in the dirt holding it so you have a perfect photo.... Need I go on. Not to mention this man is probably poorer then the poorest in your home country.

What the hell are we talking about here.

 

[edward]

I really don't care to jump into the argument. But I'll add my two cents. I have only hunted in Africa once, but have hunted throughout the us, Canada and Europe. Every single guide I have sat with has talked to me about you cheap skates. And I promise you they are taking better care of me then they are you. Every guide who has ever guided me has invited me back with discounts, special preferred treatment, honey holes he hasn't hunted in a while, prefered dates etc. They text me regualarily. I am very kind to them, and I tip them well. And of course if they are miserable guides, I don't. That's truly the end of the argument. The old saying, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. If your satisfied with the status quo, then just pay that. If you want above, pay for it. As every single one of you has negotiated in your own salaries. In this scenario the employee works harder for a tip and not a salary raise. You all worked harder to get a raise. Or to show value. I'm in the sales world, sales reps work harder to make more money. But again in this case the sale is a tip for busting my ass for you.

And the Dean2..... Give your heads a shake honestly. Some of the comments coming from you are ridiculous. I've seen guys like you in camp many times. Your the very guys the guide talks to me about after. And it's not due to how much money you left behind. It's just that overall attitude.

To the guys who feel you need to meet a certain number. Absolutely not. You even saying you tip what you can afford is enough to show the kinda person you are. And that will show in your hunt and your folks will take great care of you. This is not a competition.

And to the euros who tipping isn't a custom. I can appreciate that. And I don't blame you for this being awkward. But let me be blunt. If your waking into a country spending 5 figures to shoot animals, your doing ok in life. You can afford to give a tip to some trackers who worked there asses off for you all week. Carried your rifles, carried your dead game, spotted the game, sized it so you would be satisfied, layed behind the game in the dirt holding it so you have a perfect photo.... Need I go on. Not to mention this man is probably poorer then the poorest in your home country.

What the hell are we talking about here.

not my problem,we didnt create the money probs in 3rd world countries.we pay the price charged.tips are still biased on performance,not your concept that we should give because you feel sorry for the worlds poor.im not rich,worked hard and earned every dime i have,not giving away money out of feeling sorry for people who do their job.they have pride and earn what they get paid.they are not looking for hand outs.

 

[Chago]

not my problem,we didnt create the money probs in 3rd world countries.we pay the price charged.tips are still biased on performance,not your concept that we should give because you feel sorry for the worlds poor.im not rich,worked hard and earned every dime i have,not giving away money out of feeling sorry for people who do their job.they have pride and earn what they get paid.they are not looking for hand outs.

At which point did I say to give hand outs? My opening statement was tip when deserved. And don't if not. All I did say was to those who tipping is not a custom at all. That you can afford to tip someone who worked there ass off for you. Especially when such a small amount is appreciated.

Read the entire post. Don't just repeat the same comment over and over to every single person who opposes you in anyway. Your above post seems like it's been copy and pasted throughout this thread. We get it you didn't create the problems in Africa. You only said it multiple times.

 

[edward]

At which point did I say to give hand outs? My opening statement was tip when deserved. And don't if not. All I did say was to those who tipping is not a custom at all. That you can afford to tip someone who worked there ass off for you. Especially when such a small amount is appreciated.

Read the entire post. Don't just repeat the same comment over and over to every single person who opposes you in anyway. Your above post seems like it's been copy and pasted throughout this thread. We get it you didn't create the problems in Africa. You only said it multiple times.

i read the entire post,have been 5 times and my response to your post remains the same!!!you had your say,i had mine.two different views.dont waste my time or yours with any further whining.case closed as far as im concerned.

 

[curtism1234]

 

[Chago]

i read the entire post,have been 5 times and my response to your post remains the same!!!you had your say,i had mine.two different views.dont waste my time or yours with any further whining.case closed as far as im concerned.

Oh so your a Liberal I get it. You accuse me of something that is completely false. Then when I call you out on it you return with the standard it's my view or my opinion card. No worries. The rest of us know what that really means. Enjoy your night. Feel the Bern Eddy.

 

[LivingTheDream]

After reading a lot of these pages, I have more of an appreciation for PHs and the job they do.

 

[edward]

Oh so your a Liberal I get it. You accuse me of something that is completely false. Then when I call you out on it you return with the standard it's my view or my opinion card. No worries. The rest of us know what that really means. Enjoy your night. Feel the Bern Eddy.

fire proof chagoie!!!!!

 

[Michael Dean]

i read the entire post,have been 5 times and my response to your post remains the same!!!you had your say,i had mine.two different views.dont waste my time or yours with any further whining.case closed as far as im concerned.

Edward don't waste your time defending yourself. Chago is a self centered egotist who loves to hear himself speak and believes that he is the epitome of what the perfect hunter is. If you'd believe this ass's commentary, he's adored by every PH and outfitter internationally. In his first post he stated that he didn't want to start an argument then proceeded to attack several members knowing responses were inivitably coming. He's a self impressed egotist who couldn't engage in an intelligent argument. The guy's a self ingratiated fool. I myself would not stoop so low as to respond to him.

 

[Areaonereal]

Please...will this ever end. Tip what you want...go home look forward to you trophies and enjoy you life.

 

[Bwana Bob]

Please...will this ever end. Tip what you want...go home look forward to you trophies and enjoy you life.

Well stated. Stop the pissing contest. It's getting old

 

[edward]

Edward don't waste your time defending yourself. Chago is a self centered egotist who loves to hear himself speak and believes that he is the epitome of what the perfect hunter is. If you'd believe this ass's commentary, he's adored by every PH and outfitter internationally. In his first post he stated that he didn't want to start an argument then proceeded to attack several members knowing responses were inivitably coming. He's a self impressed egotist who couldn't engage in an intelligent argument. The guy's a self ingratiated fool. I myself would not stoop so low as to respond to him.

had my say,made my point,over and done.

 

[Chago]

Edward don't waste your time defending yourself. Chago is a self centered egotist who loves to hear himself speak and believes that he is the epitome of what the perfect hunter is. If you'd believe this ass's commentary, he's adored by every PH and outfitter internationally. In his first post he stated that he didn't want to start an argument then proceeded to attack several members knowing responses were inivitably coming. He's a self impressed egotist who couldn't engage in an intelligent argument. The guy's a self ingratiated fool. I myself would not stoop so low as to respond to him.

That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you.

 

[Beck]

Well said Jerome. I have only been on two African Safaris, so I can't say I am any kind of expert, but I was with a good outfitter both times. Trusting my outfitter, I brought him a list of the tips I intended to make, and asked for suggestions. He didn't increase the total drastically (if at all), but he redistribute the money a little bit. He also informed me that he thought the tip was both generous, and appropriate. In my opinion, this experience, as well as many others, outline the importance of a good outfitter/PH.

 

[SSGBIV]

I have an understanding with all my safari companies that I book for and that is, a tip is a gift and that some folks are less wealthy than others and whatever they tip is to be appreciated and all my companies that I rep for agree to this 100 percent...

The one thing I suggest is that you give all the tip money to the PH and let him sort out who gets what..There is a pecking order among the camp staff and the tips are paid based on the staff members position, otherwise you will cause havoc among the staff.. I have seen this get completely out of hand when some client gave the laundry lady more tip than the tracker!! If your PH is an honorable man he will sort it out properly and keep a proper happy camp, they will each come and shake your hand and thank you, this is Safari tradition.

It takes about 15 minutes upon arrival, if that, to see if your in a happy camp or a sour camp, I have been in both many times and believe me that is the FIRST thing I look for when checking our a potential Safari company to book for..I want happy. laughing, smiling people that want to be a part of the whole safari with the sole intent of making that safari the hunt of a lifetime for the client..

Well said and agree Whole-Heartedly.

 

[jeff]

On my last hunt I had a assistant to the driver start hinting about tipping on our drive from the airport to the lodge. He made sure the driver didn't hear.

 

[Michael Dean]

On my last hunt I had a assistant to the driver start hinting about tipping on our drive from the airport to the lodge. He made sure the driver didn't hear.

I would have advised the driver of the conversation and told him that you didn't appreciate being husselled, especially when you haven't even made it to the lodge yet. What outfitter was it?

 

[jeff]

The outfitter was very good and the next day they told him to take a week off so he wasn't there to get any tip!

 

[khharris]

For a 14 day TZ DG safari what are the percentages/daily tipping amounts for the camp staff would you look at? I just want to make sure we are in line. Thx!