Tipping Guide

[375Fox]

Sounds nice and heartwarming, but my trackers after being gifted forgot my name till next time I visited the same place....

I bet they remembered you. They just had a new name for you as the guy who refuses to tip. A tip isn’t so they remember your name. It’s an extra thank you for helping make your hunt successful. There’s a minimum that’s expected, essentially an unquoted cost that we already know, and there is extra on top of that if you feel it’s earned. I can’t quite understand your extreme resistance to it from your posts on this thread. However, if you hunt with outfitters catering to European clients it really doesn’t matter. I’ll hunt with outfitters catering to American clients. I think there is a difference in what is expected from the hunt between Americans and Europeans in Africa, so if you don’t tip it really doesn’t affect my hunt in any way.

 

[375Fox]

I agree that the “staff” likely will never remember You, your name, or anything else about you and possible you will not get any better service whether you tip or not —- but you certainly won’t get “worse service”. I’m not sure why a tip is appropriate but believe in most cases that a tip for the staff is “appropriate”. Either because the did something special, extra, or just a basic ‘good job’, or as a charitable act - giving to someone that is in “need”. In my camp in Tanzania I met some of the poorest people ever and they really had very little in terms of “possessions”. I think my tip made more of a difference to their well being then any restaurant waiter I’ve ever tipped....and that is just my opinion.

That’s similar to my thoughts. They earned it and the tip money to staff really doesn’t hurt me at all. Tipping or not tipping won’t affect your hunt, but if could affect your hunt badly if the client before you did not tip and it was expected. Trackers and camp staff in a bad mood at start of hunt isn’t the best scenario.

 

[Danchy007]

I bet they remembered you. They just had a new name for you as the guy who refuses to tip. A tip isn’t so they remember your name. It’s an extra thank you for helping make your hunt successful. There’s a minimum that’s expected, essentially an unquoted cost that we already know, and there is extra on top of that if you feel it’s earned. I can’t quite understand your extreme resistance to it from your posts on this thread. However, if you hunt with outfitters catering to European clients it really doesn’t matter. I’ll hunt with outfitters catering to American clients. I think there is a difference in what is expected from the hunt between Americans and Europeans in Africa, so if you don’t tip it really doesn’t affect my hunt in any way.

My view on the topic as a fellow Croatian. Look here we don't have that culture like in the U.S. and personally I wouldn't really leave say 3000$ or more as a tip if I say went on a hunt for cape buffalo and PG not beacause I'm an asshole or whatever. Simply beacause to me leaving 3000$ more on top of a say 10 or 12 or 15k hunt+shipping and airfare and some trips around while I'm there is just too much for me. Now that's just my 2 cents and I don't think that simply beacause someone doesn't have the means or doesn't want to tip shouldn't hunt in Africa. Again just my opinion amd am open to civil discussions and critics
I will also add that I am not completely opposed to tipping I would likely tip the PH around 100$ maybe a bit more and probably around 100$ around for the staff simply beacause that is how I'm used to it I might stretch a bit more but honestly not a lot simply beacause I don't come from a tipping culture country(nit that tipping is a bad thing)

 

[Doubleplay]

I bet they remembered you. They just had a new name for you as the guy who refuses to tip. A tip isn’t so they remember your name. It’s an extra thank you for helping make your hunt successful. There’s a minimum that’s expected, essentially an unquoted cost that we already know, and there is extra on top of that if you feel it’s earned. I can’t quite understand your extreme resistance to it from your posts on this thread. However, if you hunt with outfitters catering to European clients it really doesn’t matter. I’ll hunt with outfitters catering to American clients. I think there is a difference in what is expected from the hunt between Americans and Europeans in Africa, so if you don’t tip it really doesn’t affect my hunt in any way.

Reading your posts I agree with you on multitude of subjects.
Having said that, I hunted in Africa with outfits catering to both American and European clients and also booked hunts trough European outfitters.
Unfortunately like most everywhere in the World Americans are being seen as cash cows and taken advantage of.
More tipping expected from Americans for the same service given to other nationalities!
Trust me even the price lists of the same operations all over the World are different and mostly lower for Europeans in Euros.
A simple search using a local VPN can prove this or visiting a major Hunting Expo in Europe.
But this is nothing new, it's been going on for years.

 

[Danchy007]

Unfortunately like most everywhere in the World Americans are being seen as cash cows and taken advantage of.
More tipping expected from Americans for the same service given to other nationalities!

I can confirm this. I used to drive uber a bit and talking to other drivers every single one of them and regular taxi drivers always said ohh I hope I get an American they are big tippers etc.

 

[PerH]

Tips in Norway is generally a percentage of the daily amount the store / restaurant whatever made so tips is not necessary. Often just round up the amount a couple of dollars is very good on top of it all

And generally it is also said here a place where one has to tip much is a place that has shady salary to its staff also .

 

[mark-hunter]

I bet they remembered you.

We were hanging around the 4wd, during the break of the hunt in the bush, Ph asked the tracker, common tian, whats this guys name name - pointing to me, after he left the gifts last year to you?
No answer. Smile.
So, maybe they do remember the face. But....
BTW I leave the tip, and gifts, but i do not appreciate the practice. to me it represents an unclear situation in which I am not comfortable, and not sure if I am tipping too much, or too small....
As mentioned, in my profession I was never tipped.

 

[Dean2]

I can confirm this. I used to drive uber a bit and talking to other drivers every single one of them and regular taxi drivers always said ohh I hope I get an American they are big tippers etc.

You hoped to get an American because they are big tippers, but did you and the other drivers give them superior service because they were big tippers? Or was the big tip just a bonus.

 

[375Fox]

My view on the topic as a fellow Croatian. Look here we don't have that culture like in the U.S. and personally I wouldn't really leave say 3000$ or more as a tip if I say went on a hunt for cape buffalo and PG not beacause I'm an asshole or whatever. Simply beacause to me leaving 3000$ more on top of a say 10 or 12 or 15k hunt+shipping and airfare and some trips around while I'm there is just too much for me. Now that's just my 2 cents and I don't think that simply beacause someone doesn't have the means or doesn't want to tip shouldn't hunt in Africa. Again just my opinion amd am open to civil discussions and critics
I will also add that I am not completely opposed to tipping I would likely tip the PH around 100$ maybe a bit more and probably around 100$ around for the staff simply beacause that is how I'm used to it I might stretch a bit more but honestly not a lot simply beacause I don't come from a tipping culture country(nit that tipping is a bad thing)

I suppose my issue is the refusal to adapt or recognize it’s not the same as your home country. Your fellow Croatian made several comments no one tips him for his work at home so he won’t tip in Africa. I personally like tipping well when it’s earned. The tips that are essentially an unquoted charge do somewhat bother me but I know it’s expected. I do however object strongly though to paying VAT in Europe. If you were to pay for the $15k buffalo hunt in Zimbabwe. You’d pay $23 VAT/day on accommodation, 4% on TF, 2% on DRs so $15,630. If I spent the same $15k in Croatia at 25% VAT it would be $18,750, so I really can’t understand the objection to tipping when it’s normal for you to have 25% included in your final bill. US tipping culture has gotten out of hand, but Eastern Europe appears the other extreme. I’d say we should both do what’s expected when traveling.

 

[375Fox]

I can confirm this. I used to drive uber a bit and talking to other drivers every single one of them and regular taxi drivers always said ohh I hope I get an American they are big tippers etc.

This is a good example where we should follow what’s expected for where we travel, but at the same time you should follow our practices if in US.

 

[mark-hunter]

Your fellow Croatian made several comments no one tips him for his work at home so he won’t tip in Africa.

If you check my previous post, I said quite the opposite.
Problably we were typing in the same time.

 

[375Fox]

Reading your posts I agree with you on multitude of subjects.
Having said that, I hunted in Africa with outfits catering to both American and European clients and also booked hunts trough European outfitters.
Unfortunately like most everywhere in the World Americans are being seen as cash cows and taken advantage of.
More tipping expected from Americans for the same service given to other nationalities!
Trust me even the price lists of the same operations all over the World are different and mostly lower for Europeans in Euros.
A simple search using a local VPN can prove this or visiting a major Hunting Expo in Europe.
But this is nothing new, it's been going on for years.

I can believe this to an extent. However, I don’t feel I’ve ever not received the tip back in full on repeat hunts either through discounts or suggested opportunities. I have seen a difference though in PHs that cater to European clients vs American clients. I think Americans generally expect a much more personal hunt than Europeans.

 

[Doubleplay]

You hoped to get an American because they are big tippers, but did you and the other drivers give them superior service because they were big tippers? Or was the big tip just a bonus.

What kind of superior service an Uber driver can give, except maybe helping with luggage?
They are just happy to have a big tipper, service will not change.

 

[375Fox]

If you check my previous post, I said quite the opposite.
Problably we were typing in the same time.

If you are tipping what’s expected I’ve misinterpreted your posts. If in doubt on tips to staff I ask the PH. Just treat it as an unquoted charge.

 

[375Fox]

What kind of superior service an Uber driver can give, except maybe helping with luggage?
They are just happy to have a big tipper, service will not change.

I haven’t taken a taxi in a long time, but if I try and remember the taxi days and compare to Uber it’s definitely superior service. Especially Pittsburgh taxi drivers. The most angry taxi drivers in the world. I was just glad to get out of the car, especially before they realized zero tip.

 

[Doubleplay]

I can believe this to an extent. However, I don’t feel I’ve ever not received the tip back in full on repeat hunts either through discounts or suggested opportunities. I have seen a difference though in PHs that cater to European clients vs American clients. I think Americans generally expect a much more personal hunt than Europeans.

Agreed.
Europeans are generally are more business like and Americans are more approachable and personal.

 

[Danchy007]

You hoped to get an American because they are big tippers, but did you and the other drivers give them superior service because they were big tippers? Or was the big tip just a bonus.

Me personally I didn't really care whether the customer was American,Russian,German or whatever I treated everyone the same and if you want to leave a tip great if not no problem. It honestly got on my nerves what others would say some even canceling rides beacause they see an opportunity for the big tippers (American name like Andy or John) so to me it was never a big deal. And in my current job and my last job I wasn't being tipped and I never expected tips even when driving uber I expected the fare if you want to tip feel free if not don't. In restaurant I leave 10% if the service was good and all that.

 

[Danchy007]

What kind of superior service an Uber driver can give, except maybe helping with luggage?
They are just happy to have a big tipper, service will not change.

Indeed I also heard folks saying how their driver literally asked where's the tip? And yes the people in question were American tourists. And well only superior service I can think of is the car itself I ended up riding in a BMW 760Li in Paris on uber by pure coincidence didn't even order the premium option guy mentioned it's a side hustle of his cause he likes to drive around.

 

[Dewald]

We were hanging around the 4wd, during the break of the hunt in the bush, Ph asked the tracker, common tian, whats this guys name name - pointing to me, after he left the gifts last year to you?
No answer. Smile.
So, maybe they do remember the face. But....
BTW I leave the tip, and gifts, but i do not appreciate the practice. to me it represents an unclear situation in which I am not comfortable, and not sure if I am tipping too much, or too small....
As mentioned, in my profession I was never tipped.

Please just take the language barrier into account. Africans struggle with western names, just like we sometimes struggle with their names. I have worked for ten years in a hospital A&E and some of the nurses still can not pronounce my first name or some don’t know my first name. That is despite me being basically fluent in Zulu and speaking Zulu to them at any given opportunity. I would not be offended by that, or see it as a sign of lack of appreciation.

 

[Sauer404XT]

Being european and no culture of tipping but for me, depends where i am going to hunt. As i am looking at Kazakhstan ( Ibex /Siberian Roe / Maral ) and Russia ( Kamchatka Moose ) on each trip i would tip 500€ to 600€. Guide gets the most 200€ and rest for assistant guide if on hunt , cook and interpeter ( Only helps out in camp ) . A friend hunted in Kazakhstan in 2019 said the guides earns 8€ a day so a 200€ ( 25 days worth ) would go a long ways as they work really hard to get you the biggest trophies but final amount would come down to my satisfaction of the overall hunt

Just my theory, why do all the other staff get tips if doing a 1:1 hunt? In my opinion should be only the guide but i guess in Africa you got lot of parties involved. For me personally i am not well of in finances as some OS hunters and can not do 10% to 15% but can still offer an amount that will help them out.