Tipping Guide

[expresshunt]

Because tipping is very rare here in Australia... when Americans come here and reward very good service, from the waiter or staff member or guide, or PH etc.. they are over the moon. It makes them remember that person, take more pride in their job, try harder and gives them a lift. As a guide I have received tips and felt humbled, and it is a great reward whether small or medium... and I make sure I spend that money on something I need, and think of it in the future.
As I have traveled to USA 2 times a year to shows for the last 20 years, I have seen tipping... and now when back in OZ, if I have excellent service I tip... it puts a big smile on a dial here..!!

 

[Frederik]

Tipping is a bonus for good work and service it's not to be enforced.

There is however certain work and I especially speak of South Africa like waiters and barmen in restaurants that live on the tips they make very limited pay some instances small commission on sales.

I was there long ago did it for quite a few years and it forces you to give good client service.

 

[rookhawk]

Not to find excuses not to tip, but could the US/EU cultural difference also come from the fact that 'tipping' is somewhat institutionalized in the EU. Through our immensely high level of taxation and social security payments, compared to most other countries, people believe there is no more reason to tip on top?

In Belgium I'm taxed (tax+social security) around 50% on my fixed salary and 60% on my yearly bonus. That's before I buy something of value, where I still need to pay the VAT of 21% (like a sales tax in the US) or specific taxes pertaining to a vehicle or real estate.

You could say that overall, something north of 2/3rds of what I earn is redistributed over the rest of the population. To have to give a tip in such a context almost feels like insult after injury.

Anyway, I'll be bringing a lot of cash to my first safari, if that is what is expected. But although I'm not scraping for money, I'm not wealthy enough yet that 10-15% extra cost is not going to be felt either.

Maybe, that might be the case. I haven’t looked into the proportional tax rates of the EU to find out if you really pay more. It certainly looks that way initially, but the devil is in the details.

Some examples that counter the EU high tax hypothesis:

In the US, in some states like mine, property taxes are 7.5% of salary. (Obviously not based on one another, but that’s about it) 15% of salary is healthcare costs. My master’s degree cost me nearly $200,000 with loans and interest, in the EU its a number close to free. My State’s income tax is 4.8%, Federal income tax is 26%-34%. We don’t have a VAT, but most state’s sales tax is around 8%.

I think there is an American discomfort with seeing someone earning less being without. As you’ll see on this thread, a lot of people are very comfortable justifying leaving little to no tip. I have a moral problem not leaving the staff $100 tip each, or enough for their children to go to school for three months. I’m aware that some of them cannot send their children to school without a tip and they have very few opportunities to earn a tip each year. The average American figures this math out and has a problem receiving joy from people that are enduring great hardship. Unrelated to tips, its very common for Americans to bring over things for the Africans (never, ever in lieu of cash tip) because its hard to live with their lack of basics. One of my trackers had the same t-shirt on for 14 days, every day being more patched together and sewn each day than the last. T-shirts and baseball caps are free at every trade show in America, we throw them away, and yet the Africans don’t have a spare. Many cultures are okay with this, American culture isn’t okay with this at all. By salary and income levels, Americans are the most generous people in the world as evidenced by our donations to charities as a portion of our incomes. We believe we have been incredibly blessed in this world and we are trying to “pay it forward” to others to reduce suffering or to reward a job well done.

 

[Paul Homsy]

I work as a proffesional and for last 20 years, never got tipped.
My wife works as a proffesional, and for last 20 years, never got tipped.
Soldiers, and LEOs put their life on the line, daily, and never got tipped.
The list can go on and on...

 

[Paul Homsy]

This dead horse of a topic has been beaten so many times it's shameful. Service people need to be tipped. Period. It isn't just in the U.S. that people tip. It is in most of the world except in some countries where people are very tight with their wallet. There is no need to explain anything more than has already been done numerous time in this thread. You either appreciate efforts on your behalf or you don't without this plethora of phony rationalizations for not tipping.

 

[rookhawk]

This dead horse of a topic has been beaten so many times it's shameful. Service people need to be tipped. Period. It isn't just in the U.S. that people tip. It is in most of the world except in some countries where people are very tight with their wallet. There is no need to explain anything more than has already been done numerous time in this thread. You either appreciate efforts on your behalf or you don't without this plethora of phony rationalizations for not tipping.

In the Matabele and Shona languages, there is no word for suffering nor is there a word for cruelty. These concepts never evolved as there was little consideration for such concepts.

As an English speaker, my ability to show empathy to relieve suffering or do soften cruelty by the payment of a tip for hard, thankless work I cannot do myself is what makes me a good human. Anyone that is living in a first world country that wants to weave a clever narrative of why they do not wish to provide a tip is trying desperately to hide a complete lack of empathy.

In that case, prove me wrong, go leave no tips whatsoever, but in lieu of tips stop off at your favorite charity servicing wildlife, the poor, and starving children and drop a couple thousand Euros on the counter. You don't need to call it a tip, you can call it charity.

Personally, I feel like there is more dignity in letting someone earn my money in the form of a tip for honest work and honest wages, rather than just to open the window in Africa and throw hundred dollar bills on the ground, but to each their own. In either case, someone with AIDS, with no clean drinking water, and with no meat protein for months at a time might make it another day.

 

[Paul Homsy]

Anyone that is living in a first world country that wants to weave a clever narrative of why they do not wish to provide a tip is trying desperately to hide a complete lack of empathy.

That's excellent and very much the reality. Empathy is developed far more in the new world regardless of world status or economic standing. Life in new worlds in general is more conducive to expand one's understanding and compassion as opposed to the voluntary convenient distancing of those in cultures that don't know that a tip goes a long way in helping. They don't really care and to try to convince most is truly beating the proverbial dead horse.

 

[Paul Homsy]

"Anyone that is living in a first world country that wants to weave a clever narrative of why they do not wish to provide a tip is trying desperately to hide a complete lack of empathy."

That's excellent and very much the reality.

In the Matabele and Shona languages, there is no word for suffering nor is there a word for cruelty. These concepts never evolved as there was little consideration for such concepts.

As an English speaker, my ability to show empathy to relieve suffering or do soften cruelty by the payment of a tip for hard, thankless work I cannot do myself is what makes me a good human. Anyone that is living in a first world country that wants to weave a clever narrative of why they do not wish to provide a tip is trying desperately to hide a complete lack of empathy.

In that case, prove me wrong, go leave no tips whatsoever, but in lieu of tips stop off at your favorite charity servicing wildlife, the poor, and starving children and drop a couple thousand Euros on the counter. You don't need to call it a tip, you can call it charity.

Personally, I feel like there is more dignity in letting someone earn my money in the form of a tip for honest work and honest wages, rather than just to open the window in Africa and throw hundred dollar bills on the ground, but to each their own. In either case, someone with AIDS, with no clean drinking water, and with no meat protein for months at a time might make it another day.

I agree with everything you said. There is a general lack of understanding from quite a few who criticize the American system not realizing that it supports and encourages upward mobility. The opposite is a culture that doesn't tip where a waiter is a waiter 50 years from now...exhausted beaten by a difficult life. In the U.S. that waiter has a definite chance to own a chain of restaurants or become a lawyer while serving tables.

Your suggestion to help charities is excellent. Great post.

 

[DieJager]

After reading this I concluded that I will probably tip more in Africa than Europe. Because that's the way it is in a lot of places in Africa. Reading this thread I think there is the misconception that leaving a tip is somewhat frowned upon in Europe. I think most people in Europe after a good meal leave a tip. I think what is different is the amount that is given. Mostly numbers are being rounded off in Europe. If your meal is 48 euro's. Most Europeans would give 50. Another example your check is 230, you would give 250 maximum. This is of course in general. There are of course extremes in both directions.

 

[VertigoBE]

Maybe, that might be the case. I haven’t looked into the proportional tax rates of the EU to find out if you really pay more. It certainly looks that way initially, but the devil is in the details.

Some examples that counter the EU high tax hypothesis:

In the US, in some states like mine, property taxes are 7.5% of salary. (Obviously not based on one another, but that’s about it) 15% of salary is healthcare costs. My master’s degree cost me nearly $200,000 with loans and interest, in the EU its a number close to free. My State’s income tax is 4.8%, Federal income tax is 26%-34%. We don’t have a VAT, but most state’s sales tax is around 8%.

I think there is an American discomfort with seeing someone earning less being without. As you’ll see on this thread, a lot of people are very comfortable justifying leaving little to no tip. I have a moral problem not leaving the staff $100 tip each, or enough for their children to go to school for three months. I’m aware that some of them cannot send their children to school without a tip and they have very few opportunities to earn a tip each year. The average American figures this math out and has a problem receiving joy from people that are enduring great hardship. Unrelated to tips, its very common for Americans to bring over things for the Africans (never, ever in lieu of cash tip) because its hard to live with their lack of basics. One of my trackers had the same t-shirt on for 14 days, every day being more patched together and sewn each day than the last. T-shirts and baseball caps are free at every trade show in America, we throw them away, and yet the Africans don’t have a spare. Many cultures are okay with this, American culture isn’t okay with this at all. By salary and income levels, Americans are the most generous people in the world as evidenced by our donations to charities as a portion of our incomes. We believe we have been incredibly blessed in this world and we are trying to “pay it forward” to others to reduce suffering or to reward a job well done.

Good point Rookhawk in comparing apples to apples indeed. Had not thought about it that way yet.
And indeed, there is no doubt Americans are far more generous than Europeans (with financial aid that is). I'll be the first to admit that.

This dead horse of a topic has been beaten so many times it's shameful. Service people need to be tipped. Period. It isn't just in the U.S. that people tip. It is in most of the world except in some countries where people are very tight with their wallet. There is no need to explain anything more than has already been done numerous time in this thread. You either appreciate efforts on your behalf or you don't without this plethora of phony rationalizations for not tipping.

Paul, I understand this topic might have been beaten to death for many. Yet the fact that 'tipping' on a hunting forum, is one of the longest going threads, would tell me that for many this is still a complicated topic. I for one am very happy that this thread exists, and so many people gave their views on it. Because for the culture I come from, this would have been a veritable culture shock for me and my parents when we will arrive in S-A. At least I'm now a bit more prepared.

 

[Paul Homsy]

Good point Rookhawk in comparing apples to apples indeed. Had not thought about it that way yet.
And indeed, there is no doubt Americans are far more generous than Europeans (with financial aid that is). I'll be the first to admit that.


Paul, I understand this topic might have been beaten to death for many. Yet the fact that 'tipping' on a hunting forum, is one of the longest going threads, would tell me that for many this is still a complicated topic. I for one am very happy that this thread exists, and so many people gave their views on it. Because for the culture I come from, this would have been a veritable culture shock for me and my parents when we will arrive in S-A. At least I'm now a bit more prepared.

You made excellent points that represent my views very well. Thank you !

 

[shootist~]

Is there a rule of thumb for tipping the PH when hunting 2x1?
If approximately $100 per day for the PH is deemed reasonable for 1x1, is a combined $125 to $150 per day in the ballpark for 2x1?

 

[tay50]

In regards to tipping, I'm a big fan of the show of "Tracks Across Africa" now some of the PH's are very well known PH's, like Buzz C, and others. Would you be expected to tip them higher because of their, pardon the pun, celebrity status? Also what about the 3 guys who always seems to be with the hunting party, I understand having a tracker, but 3 of them? Now I look at the camp personnel, cook, server, house keeper, skinner, laundress, camp manager, this is around 8 to 10 people, these are all the people I'm expected to tip? I've always want to venture out of SA on a hunt, Zimbabwe in particular for a buffalo hunt, but I'm nervous about the amount of tips expected on a 7 day, $12,000 dollar hunt. I'm not cheap and I don't want to be taken advantage of either, on my last SA hunt I was told $350 of the cook for a 7 day hunt, so $50 dollars a day? Maybe I'm wrong seems a bit much. Paying 10% on a $12,000 buff hunt is $1200 dollars, but that seems low, considering its a dangerous game hunt. Plus I understand there could be a shakedown at the airport concerning your rifle, had a gal try that with me in JoBerg, she was looking at me rubbing her fingers together like she wanted cash, I thanked her and walked away wasn't sure if my rifle would make it to Port Elizabeth but it did. In SA I usually tip the PH $100 a day, his tracker/skinner $20 a day plus additional money for animals skinned , the cook $150 a week, laundress $10 per day. I hunt with a friend from Europe who only tips 5% of the total bill, his last bill was just over $8000, he left a $400 dollar tip for everyone. I spoke with a guy who was pressured by an outfitter in Zim, for a $2500 tip for a week of hunting, he paid it, and he still regrets it to this day paying it. So I will continue to go on my African hunts and try to do my best and tip everyone accordingly, and hope they are happy with my token of appreciation for their services rendered to me.

 

[Artur S]

I admire the USA. I do (partially) believe in the free world ideology. But this very thread seems to confirm some of the sad, major anti-us stereotypes.

When our US friends cite "when in Rome" ... it is so bloody contradictory! RSA & Namibia did not have this tipping culture until US clients poured in and started tipping like in US. Where was Rome left in this equation ??? Why did the Yanks not adhere to local standards?

My earlier reference to socialism in US sport leagues seems to have steered up some discontent. I think, I am thus entitled to elaborate on that a bit.


1. The US sport leagues are among the very very few worldwide who stick to a salary cap. There is only so much You can spend on players' salaries. WHY ???? If a successful team earns money, its success is reflected in its earnings - WHY can't it spend these funds the way it sees fit / on salaries ? Well, I do not know why, but I know it can not.

2. Why is mediocre or outright poor performance of sports teams rewarded by preference on draft picks ? A team plays badly throughout a season, but it is placed among the first to pick a promising rookie ??? WHY ???

3. Why are revenues in a sport league evenly distributed among all teams ? That's not the case in many football leagues in Europe and in the UEFA Champiions League. A popular, profitable and successful team like Denver Broncos or NY Knicks is obliged to share profits from Broadcasting/ merchandising with mediocre teams from "hillbillie" states/cities. these mediocre teams are imho not stimulated to improve their marketing and sport results!

I come from a socialist country and for me - points 1 to 3 are pure socialism per definition !!! Rewarding mediocracy and equaling everyone by pretending to give equity for everybody is very very typical for socialist systems ))

While being far from liberast cultural sensitivity levels, I think that, when abroad, it makes sense to be more aware and attentive to one's own and other countries' financial and social reward cultures.

 

[shootist~]

Because if one team always won 100 to zero , no one would bother to watch - and there would be no professional football. The capitalists' way of making more money. Close game = Drama = revenue. No drama, no revenue.

No idea what that has to do with tipping, though.

 

[JimP]

If there was no salary cap the big market teams would be the ones always winning the championships.

The worst teams get the first choice on draft choices to help build that team back up so that they are not the worst team anymore. Sometimes it works, a lot of times it doesn't when the player is good in college but is a dud in the pro's. This can be seen with the number of Heisman Trophy winners in college football who make it in the NFL and actually make the team that they are playing on better.

 

[Artur S]

If there was no salary cap the big market teams would be the ones always winning the championships.

The worst teams get the first choice on draft choices to help build that team back up so that they are not the worst team anymore. Sometimes it works, a lot of times it doesn't when the player is good in college but is a dud in the pro's. This can be seen with the number of Heisman Trophy winners in college football who make it in the NFL and actually make the team that they are playing on better.

Because if one team always won 100 to zero , no one would bother to watch - and there would be no professional football. The capitalists' way of making more money. Close game = Drama = revenue. No drama, no revenue.

No idea what that has to do with tipping, though.

I get it ! ))) And I myself hate the elite clubs circle in European football. But what you write about, isn't it pure socialism, by definition? There must be at least something good in socialism, Comrades )) Like Comrade Sanders said ))!

Now linking it to safaris in South Africa:

US clients tip like crazy (in European / Ocean / Asian / South-american, actually global - except North-american - standards). Outfitters, farms love them for that.
Then a French, Australian or German guy starts booking a hunt there. And he is either not really welcomed - my personal experience when trying to directly book a hunt in Namibia without a hunting travel agency, because Yankees wield money bundles far thicker/better - or he is expected to comply to US tipping standards. But obviously he is not planning to travel neither to bespoke Rome or to the US, does he? Some socialism, as in US sports, here would be nice, wouldn't it?

I guess the US deserved the Biden/Harris ticket )))

 

[BnC 04]

I guess the US deserved the Biden/Harris ticket )))

Tip or dont...whatever floats your boat but not sure WTH your reference to our politics has to do with tipping in Africa.

 

[Chago]

I get it ! ))) And I myself hate the elite clubs circle in European football. But what you write about, isn't it pure socialism, by definition? There must be at least something good in socialism, Comrades )) Like Comrade Sanders said ))!

Now linking it to safaris in South Africa:

US clients tip like crazy (in European / Ocean / Asian / South-american, actually global - except North-american - standards). Outfitters, farms love them for that.
Then a French, Australian or German guy starts booking a hunt there. And he is either not really welcomed - my personal experience when trying to directly book a hunt in Namibia without a hunting travel agency, because Yankees wield money bundles far thicker/better - or he is expected to comply to US tipping standards. But obviously he is not planning to travel neither to bespoke Rome or to the US, does he? Some socialism, as in US sports, here would be nice, wouldn't it?

I guess the US deserved the Biden/Harris ticket )))

Were you there in Africa when the first American showed up and started tipping? Is this documented somewhere ? What a ridiculous claim to make. I'm not even American and spit my drink out reading that garbage. Who claims Americans started tipping culture in Africa? Its obvious the Europeans didn't tip when you first got there. You guys were to busy with other priorities when you arrived in Africa.

And if you feel you are not treated the same when you arrive in Africa. Look in the mirror. Don't blame the tipping scheme. They don't know you won't tip until the end of the trip. So if they treated you like shit the whole way through I think that's you problem my friend.

Your professional sports leagues being a clear definition of socialism, is as clear as mud. Might want to go back to the drawing board for that argument.

 

[Artur S]

Tip or dont...whatever floats your boat but not sure WTH your reference to our politics has to do with tipping in Africa.

Fair enough. but that was exactly the point of discussion in this thread for several posts. I should have added the quotes in my post, since you have obviously skipped reading / memorizing key points of this thread