Tipping a dockhand

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xfedex

xfedex

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
131
Location
usa
Vessel Name
Fluke
Vessel Make
Krogen 42
This is promted by a letter *to the editor in Passagemake Mag*this month. A guy on the east coast encourages us to tip marina employees who help your vessel into the dock. I do not tip and hope others resist.*I plan on getting in to the dock without help from shore.

*I appriciate help from anyone who knows what they are doing; but to make*tipping*a regular thing rubs me the wrong way. I would be interested in what you all think of this.
 
Been to a few different marinas, but never had an employee offering assistance (they're only seen in the office and, on occasion, at the fuel dock).* Occasionally berthers may lend a hand, but last time they said they'd been told we don't need help.* (Sounded like a compliment.)

*


-- Edited by markpierce on Friday 23rd of December 2011 09:39:30 PM
 
Roche Harbor in San Juan Islands, Washington seems to be leading the way in my area.
 
Interesting, seems to be a bit out of hand doesn't it?* I don't mind tipping for good service or a service employee who goes the extra mile.*

In Granada, Spain, for example, where tipping isn't the custom, I gave the arabic taxi driver double the fare for*chasing off the "Black Feet" (aka thieving hippies) who were mobbing us, wanting to carry our bags 20 feet to the hotel door.*
evileye.gif


But on the other hand, taking a shuttle bus to the airport last week, there was a sign above a*money container by the driver suggesting that "tipping the driver is appreciated."* I wasn't quite sure why I should tip him though, he didn't carry my luggage, wasn't particularly entertaining and certainly not very attractive?**
no.gif
*

Maybe just because he got us to the terminal without getting into an accident and killing us!*

Larry B

PS: Love your pics John!!


-- Edited by Edelweiss on Friday 23rd of December 2011 09:59:52 PM
 
xfedex wrote:
This is promted by a letter *to the editor in Passagemake Mag*this month. A guy on the east coast encourages us to tip marina employees who help your vessel into the dock. I do not tip and hope others resist.*I plan on getting in to the dock without help from shore.

*I appriciate help from anyone who knows what they are doing; but to make*tipping*a regular thing rubs me the wrong way. I would be interested in what you all think of this.
Click to expand...
*Ok fine... So you don't want to tip the help... then don't, but don't encourage others not to. It's our money. What reason would you possibly have to discourage us to not tip?

We tip when we get really good help with docking and an certainly when an employee goes above and beyond thier duties. If you don't want help getting into your slip is up to you. In challenging conditions, we like to ask for help and at one where we have stayed, the dockmaster wanted to help everyone rather than have anyone crash into other boats or his dock. You must have never been at a marina with bad dockhands before because we have, and until you have bad ones,the good ones (especially the really good ones) you won't appreciate. I can tell you that tipping them pay dividens in the future.
 
GonzoF1 wrote:
We tip when we get really good help with docking and an certainly when an employee goes above and beyond thier duties.
Click to expand...
*How often does that occur?* How do you define "above and beyond their duties"?* Haven't seen service beyond handing me the fuel hose and taking my money, or office personnel giving information over the phone on approach route and water depth.
 
Gonzo, there are other ways to show gratitude for a job well done after you get settled in your slip. I have pointed out a job ell done to the manager for example. After a very nice welcome, we invited the dock hand to drop by and have a look at our boat. Turned out this young man and his girlfriend were seriously considering buying a boat and loved the chance to see what ours was like inside.
 
We have experienced docking help from a marina staff only a couple of times in the past 13 years. Once at Deer Harbor which we no longer go to as the place is not worth the cost and a couple of times at Silva Bay when the marina manager came down to show us which slip to use. Other than that we have always gotten ourselves into the slip and we have never had any staff come down to assist. They probably would if we asked but we've never had occasion or reason to ask. And if we did we would not tip them.

I suspect there is a big difference between east coast marinas and the relatively funky marinas we get out here. The couple of upscale marinas here might "suggest" tipping--- Roche Harbor and Deer Harbor are the only ones that come to mind although there may be others in the south Sound. But we only use Roche Harbor for customs--- we can't stand the atmosphere there so would never stay--- and Deer Harbor is much the same. We never feel that the marinas in BC even consider tipping let alone expect it.

So it's a non-issue for us.
 
Dock staff gets 5, 10 if she is cute. Anyone working on the boat gets a 20.



*


-- Edited by millennium on Saturday 24th of December 2011 04:22:24 AM
 
"Maybe just because he got us to the terminal without getting into an accident and killing us! "

In some countries the taxi drivers will paint their blood type on the outside of the cab.

The problem today is any dock "help" may do far more harm than good.

Toss a bow line to an imbecile and he may tie it quickly underfoot to a cleat, seldom what is required .
 
The difference may be the type of marina.

Some of the big transient marinas are full of dock hands that tie you up, plug you in, hook up the water, take your trash on the dock cart, come back with info packets,provide good local knowledge*etc...etc.* If they are GOOD and their work doesn't require you to redo everything....I'll throw them a five at least....Kinda like chambermaids at hotels...usually I don't leave anything at a cheap overnight stay...but at better places where the effort is more...then it's rewarded.

I ALWAYS tip the pumpout guy/gal...that comes from the days I occasionally did it when I was a captain at*a Marine Max Marina/Sea Ray dealership.* That job deserves it as often the equipment isn't perfect or perfectly clean.

At little mom and pop places where it's the owner...no...not unless there they do some work on the boat.* However...if it's a great marina and there are yard/dock hands...I'll offer some money to the coffee fund or bring back some doughnuts if I'm there a couple days or more.

Having worked in and around the marine industry at the blue collar level for about 12 years now...most workers think the average boater is a "cheap bastard"...I don't agree with that assesment but it often comes from many boaters who just barely pay for services and still want things for free or assistance at their beck and call.* I would say true s cruisers don't fit this description unless they are the "cruisin on a budget" type usually of the ragbagger breed.

As an assistance tower I never expect a tip but often receive one.**I usually ask/offer suggestions to help the person out with their problem. Usually after being tipped well, I'll go out of my way to help them...sometimes fixing their problem and saving them hundreds in a*repair bill.*

So I can say while not expected and definitely appreciated tipping can do exactly what it is designed to do.

*


-- Edited by psneeld on Saturday 24th of December 2011 06:00:21 AM
 
We have*never tipped on the west coast of Canada or the US.* We harbor hopped from AK to the Mexican border and there just weren't any dock boys to tip.* Take your trash, plug your power cord in,*it has never happened.* *If helped was offered at the dock, it was usually from a fellow boater.* Is it because alot of the marinas on the west coast are publicly owned/operated?

We have tipped fuel dock attendants in Central America.*
 
I suspect there is a big difference between east coast marinas and the relatively funky marinas we get out here.

*

Now having lived bicoastal, there is a significant cultural difference between West and East coasts when it comes to tipping service personnel. I don't know if it reflects a greater social stratification on the East coast or if it's just a different social norm.*

There are a number of "funky marinas," (as well as nice ones) on the East coast where they have a stable of dockhands available to help you out -- often high school kids working for the summer. They may or may not get a minimal wage and depend on tips for their compensation.

I have no problem tipping them if they actually do provide a service, but I've always had a hard time paying someone to do what I usually do myself. In boating, that includes tying up and plugging in my power cord.

*

dvd
 
At Christmas I give the crew chief of the marina $100.* He buys lunch for his guys with it.* These guys (I hope) keep an eye on my boat when I'm not around and are always helpful - lending a tool or a hand when I need it.* I can afford it, most of the crew looks like they live paycheck-to-paycheck, it makes me feel good and I hope it's a pay-it-forward type of thing so that when, God forbid, I really, really need a hand I won't be remembered as, "that cheap SOB, why should I help him?"

*

Merry Christmas!

http://tinyurl.com/yan3h4o
 
markpierce wrote:GonzoF1 wrote:
We tip when we get really good help with docking and an certainly when an employee goes above and beyond thier duties.
Click to expand...
*How often does that occur?* How do you define "above and beyond their duties"?* Haven't seen service beyond handing me the fuel hose and taking my money, or office personnel giving information over the phone on approach route and water depth.

*We were changing marinas in the spring. During part of the trip we were delayed and wouldn't arrive at our destination until well after closing time. We called ahead to find out what slip we were assigned and told them we'd be late. Keep in mind we had never docked in this marina before and really didn't know for sure where we needed to go. Without us asking, the dockmaster stayed on duty until we arrived and was at our slip waiting for us (even without hailing on VHF 16) to grab our lines. We spotted him $20 for that.

THAT, sir, is what I call going above and beyond.

I'm still curious, John, why you are discouraging us to tip? A kind word to the manager or to the dockhand themselves should be the LEAST you do. A kind word is nice, but doesn't spend very well at the grocery store. :) I tip a lot of people when they deserve it. It* often surprises them and hopefully encourages them to continue their winning ways. Waitresses expect it and know they are working for it. Dockhands (and other service personnel) do not, and when you point out the really good behavior with a gift, it not only helps them, it makes you feel good (and scores you big points in the future). And I have never had them continue to expect one. To me, tipping is just being nice with a dollar sign in front of it.
 
Like several of you, we will tip a dockhand for real "help". I had a practice of talways tipping for a pump out until a couple of years ago when a youngster in Deltaville had the duty at Norview. The pump out went fine and as the wind was going to hit the port side as we backed out of the shelter a a covered boathouse, I handed the boy a spring line attached to the mid ship cleat on the port side. My instructions were evidently not sufficient as he tossed the line aboard just as the cleat cleared the house. The stern swung quickly to starboard and away from the pump out dock; but headed for a row of boats tied up in their slips which were now about 10 feet away and closing. I managed to fend off after clipping one anchor that removed some of the teak on the starboard cap rail. The dockhand was long gone. No damage to the docked boats.
Bill Noftsinger
Amazing Grace
 
Don't know what I will do when I start cruising.

My charter business is run out of the one of the nicest marinas (clean and well run) on the East coast. The dock hands wear uniforms (shorts and tee shirts), smile and greet everyone they come in contact with. They are taught to be helpful and follow directions of the captain when handling lines. They are around to help you and are taught not to expect or request tips as these services are covered by dockage or whatever else you buy at the marina.

As a charter boat, I come and go 5 days a week and generally interact with 2 dock hands and 3 ladies in the office. While I don't tip them with cash, I do give them lobsters, shucked scallops, and fish fillets which I catch on my charter trips. Also, they get a gift certificate for a local restaurant at Christmas. As a result, neither I nor my customers can do any wrong at the marina. For my home marina, I like everyone knowing who I am and that I'm a nice guy and not just another a**hole who owns a boat. Definitely helped being an appreciated customer when hurricane Irene was coming.
 
GonzoF1 wrote:I'm still curious, John, why you are discouraging us to tip?
Click to expand...
I have to say I agree with John.* I tip in the usual places--- restaurants, hotels, etc. although I don't like the practice.* But I don't tip at marinas, fuel docks, boatyards, etc.* My reasoning is that people are paid to do a job. If that job entails providing helpful service to customers, that's what they get paid to do and that's what they should do.* If the only way they will provide good service is to be tipped, then they should seek a different kind of job.

Tipping is still a very western thing.* When we go to China, for example, tipping hotel staff, porters, cab drivers, etc. is not expected.* It's certainly not refused if offered, but it is always accepted with a great deal of surprise.* The attitude seems to be this is my job so I'll do it, no bribe required.* What makes this nice is that the service level in places like China is so far above what you typically get in the west to be almost out of sight.

Of course China and here are apples and oranges in this respect.* I learned that over there even the lowliest bell boy will come from a very wealthy family and most likely has his own home, car, etc as a result.* Jobs in hotels, restaurants, etc. are considered super-high status jobs, they are very difficult to get, and the only way a person can get one is to have wealthy and influential parents.* So unlike waitresses in the US these people don't view tips as any sort of necessary augmentation to their income--- they're doing just fine without it.

But my own personal philosophy is that if a peson is being paid to do a job, then they should do the job they are being paid to do.* If that job includes helping boaters dock, hooking up their groundpower line, and taking theiir trash to the dumpster, then that's what they should be doing with no additional incentive from me.*

If in their view they are not being paid enough for what the job entails, then they should either negotiate a higher pay rate or change jobs.* If they are incapable of doing either one, it's not my responsibility to offset this incapability.


-- Edited by Marin on Saturday 24th of December 2011 11:33:43 AM
 
We have tipped dock hands and some fuel guys for many years. For those of you who get the good service but are too cheap to join the parade, we who do tip provide the smiling good service you may get. Merry Christmas Scrooges.
 
BaltimoreLurker wrote:
At Christmas I give the crew chief of the marina $100.* He buys lunch for his guys with it.* These guys (I hope) keep an eye on my boat when I'm not around and are always helpful - lending a tool or a hand when I need it.** *

Merry Christmas!

http://tinyurl.com/yan3h4o
Click to expand...
This is a very nice gesture and I like the idea in keeping with the holiday spirit.*

Our Marina staff and security are public employees and can't accept gifts.* We look for ways to thank them for their great service throughout the year and always*invite them to attend our dock parties, when off duty.* Very few*attend, just once in a while. *I suspect they are uncomfortable with doing so?* The Harbor master says, what they really like is just being acknowledged, knowing their names, greeting them and a kind word.

I would just remind everybody, that you need to know your local laws and the customs for where you are visiting.* You don't want to be the*"American tourist"*throwing your money around and insulting the locals.

For instance handing somebody a tip,*not in*a tourist area, in Japan is an insult. If given at all, at the very least it must be in an envelope and given discretely, on a table or counter.* In*Korea,*don't be surprised if they hand it back to you with an embarassed look.* It's considered a bribe and is an insult.

In the US, tipping public employees, State,*and Federal employees is not acceptable and most likely*illegal.* Washington State government has very*strong laws forbidding public employees*from accepting gifts.* Marinas*run by Port Districts and*their employees are public employees.* If they were to accept a tip, it could cost them their job.* Probably not what you intended.

:worship:* Merry Christmas Everybody !!* :party:

*


-- Edited by Edelweiss on Saturday 24th of December 2011 12:55:46 PM
 
At our home marine, which is not a transient marina, we do not tip and there is no one to tip. However, when we travel on the Chesapeake, most of the marinas operate as resort type marinas and at any one time as many as 50% and up of the people there are transient for one or two nights. Upon check in, they will always have a dock hand to direct you to your slip, help with lines, power, etc. We will always tip these guys on check in.

John
390 Mainship
 
In my original post I did say I encouraged you all not to tip. I take that back. Of course you should do what ever you want with your dollars. Tipping iin restaurants is now really not optional. It is part of waitstaff income per the IRS. My hope is that tipping does not become the same at marinas.

In my previous job (flying), I tipped the van drivers religiously. They did something for me that I could not do for myself. Bellhops? No. My bag had wheels on it. Followed me where ever I went.
 
xfedex wrote:
This is promted by a letter *to the editor in Passagemake Mag*this month. A guy on the east coast encourages us to tip marina employees who help your vessel into the dock. I do not tip and hope others resist.*

So let me see if I understand.* You are asking other boaters not to tip marina staff so you won't look cheap.* Does that about sum it up?*

Do you tip in restaurants?* The person who takes your order and brings you food?* All in a warm, comfortable, and safe environment?* But you don't tip the guy who runs down the dock in the hot sun or cold rain and grabs your line, pushes your boat off the dock, and risks being crushed or falling in the water?

I boat with my wife so that makes one to operate the boat and one to handle lines.* It can be difficult to get into some slips safely with nobody on the dock to help.* I don't need help hooking up the electric or water, but a hand with the lines can be very important to docking without damage.

My boat is woth quite a bit of money.* Possibly more than the homes of the people assisting me in docking.* Typically, I tip $5.00.* Not a lot, but it seems if I can afford to own and operate my boat, I would be thought of as being a cheapskate to stiff a dockhand.

We usually tip the dockhands an additional $20 or $40 at Christmas.*

Don't get me wrong, I would rather see tipping abolished everywhere and employees paid to do their jobs without relying on tips, but it's not going to change in my lifetime so I go with the flow.* You might want to do the same.
Click to expand...
 
rwidman wrote:But you don't tip the guy who runs down the dock in the hot sun or cold rain and grabs your line, pushes your boat off the dock, and risks being crushed or falling in the water?
Click to expand...
I have yet to see a dockhand--- granted there aren't many out here anyway--- who would risk any part of himself to save your boat.* He'll do the other stuff-- perhaps in hopes of a big tip--- but when it comes to actually putting himself at risk I think most boaters will find themselves on their own.*

I've watched one or more dockhands at places like Roche Harbor out here actually back away if a boater has misjudged a docking or the current is about to mash his boat up against a piling or whatever.* I'm not blaming them--- I would too.* But this notion of the heroic dockhand risking all to save your boat is a bit hard to credit, at least from what I've seen out here.

Perhaps it's different in other regions.
 
I tip whenever I feel the person has provided "attentive" service. Define that as you wish. But the people who say "I don't tip someone for doing something I could do myself" are using flawed logic. That is EXACTLY the reason why you tip. They are doing you a favor...it is not a necessity! That is what makes it "nice". Let's use that same logic. You see someone who might have a handicap getting groceries into their car and you help them....would you accept a tip from them????!!!!! You are doing something for them that they could not do for themselves.... Anyway, if I am just getting fuel, I tip 5 bucks. They simply "hand you" the fuel nozzle because it is against the law for them to pump it for you. I am pretty sure they would if they could. But they did wrestle the hose and do EVERYTHING for you(yes your lazy ass could do it yourself but you didn't) and all you have to do is insert the nozzle and squeeze the trigger. If they pump out my holding tank, I give them 10 bucks....it is the least I can do for them to come into intimate contact with my (and my guest's) excrement!
 
I have a story on Tipping:

I took my son on a 4day fly-in fishing trip ( Great Slave Lake ) in the NWT for some Lake, Walleye and whitefish. The trip was in the range of US$7K everything included. I was told that there was no phone service so use a SAT phone if needed to call home, a small fishing supply store which dealt with cash only so bring some. Anyway, we flew from Edmonton to YellowKnife and then float plane to the Lake. On the second day, the Lodge owner said "Please don't tip the guides until the last day of your expedition because you will not see them for the rest of the days of fishing"..

"TIPPING THE GUIDES"...hmmm..It never even occured to me*:clueless:.


I asked my son if he had any money on him and he had CAN$25 and I had CAN$50 so I thought that would be just great.. Saved my bacon. I told my son that we can't buy anything in the store cause we needed to keep it for the guide. I then asked around with some of the other Fishermen just to see what was the norm for tipping. One fellow told me US$50/day another told me between US$70 -$75/day. I was in a panic. There wasn't any ATM there to pull some cash out.. we were whooped.

I was asked by the guide on the second last day if anyone mentioned "tipping the guide"... I said "oh ya.. I will give it to you tomorrow. The next day he asked again and I said when we get back to shore, I will run up to the cabin and get the money.

We'll needless to say, it was a lot of back tracking and promises but it all ended up okay.*

Lesson learnt for the next fly-in ( hunting or fishing ) trip.

Just recently I took my wife out for breakfast and it was in the loft of a country resturant which meant the waiter brought the food on a plater up 35 stairs, while the waitress gave us coffee. The cook was downstairs working hard to make me happy. Hmmm who deserve the tip I wonder.

I tip at resturants, hotels, docks wherever I know someone is going out of their way for me. I don't tip where I get bad service.

One final note: my company gives me a great tip every year for doing my job and I can tell you I get paid well for what I do but that tip pays for things like a 38' 5th wheel, a Dodge 3500, a dresser motorcyle, two UTV's, the 38' OA with lots of other toys. Would I give back my tip.. NO WAY hahaha*:devilish:. It is my toy fund.*


Anyway here with family while the yacht is on the hard and it is all great..

Merry Christmas everyone*:hungry:
 

xfedex wrote:
This is promted by a letter *to the editor in Passagemake Mag*this month. A guy on the east coast encourages us to tip marina employees who help your vessel into the dock. I do not tip and hope others resist.*
rwidman, perhaps you missed my post just above yours. I restated my position.rwidman wrote:
So let me see if I understand.* You are asking other boaters not to tip marina staff so you won't look cheap.* Does that about sum it up?*

No.

Do you tip in restaurants?

Yes.

The person who takes your order and brings you food?* All in a warm, comfortable, and safe environment?*

Yes. Even if the food is cold and the restaurant is cold and noisy. It is often not the waiters fault. Tipping in restaurants *is expected.

But you don't tip the guy who runs down the dock in the hot sun or cold rain and grabs your line, pushes your boat off the dock, and risks being crushed or falling in the water?

That situation has not come up .

I boat with my wife so that makes one to operate the boat and one to handle lines.* It can be difficult to get into some slips safely with nobody on the dock to help.* I don't need help hooking up the electric or water, but a hand with the lines can be very important to docking without damage.

I agree.

My boat is woth quite a bit of money.* Possibly more than the homes of the people assisting me in docking.* Typically, I tip $5.00.* Not a lot, but it seems if I can afford to own and operate my boat, I would be thought of as being a cheapskate to stiff a dockhand.

In the beautiful northwest, I do not believe you would not be considered a cheapskate.

Don't get me wrong, I would rather see tipping abolished everywhere and employees paid to do their jobs without relying on tips, but it's not going to change in my lifetime so I go with the flow.* You might want to do the same.

I also try to go with the flow, especially in a 7 kt boat, but some times the curret is not going where I want to go.
Click to expand...
*
 
Ocean Breeze NL wrote:

I tip at resturants, hotels, docks wherever I know someone is going out of their way for me.
Click to expand...
*I would too but only if a person truly went out of the bounds of their job to help me.* A waiter climbing 35 steps to bring you your meal in the restaurant he works in is, in my view, not going out of their way for you.* That's their job, to climb those 35 steps and bring you your meal.

The fuel dock guy who takes your lines, the dock boy who helps you tie up, they are not going out of their way for you.* They are doing the job they are being paid by their employer to do.* As such, I would never tip them.

Now if the fuel dock guy puts a couple of barrels of fuel in his skiff and motors out to where you were bobbing around in the bay because you'd managed to run out of fuel, that is most definitely going out of his way and is above and beyond the scope of his job.* And that is certainly worthy of a reward.

But people doing the jobs they were hired to do?* Their reward is their paycheck.
 
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