tipping at gas dock

[torcano]

Is it the customary to tip the person who throws you a line at the fuel dock? I pump the gas myself .I don't usually tip anyone when I fill up my car but a fellow boater thought this was the custom. Does this vary by geographic region?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: tipping at gas dock

At the local state parks around my area the attendents are usually students working for the summer, I usually tip a couple bucks if the kid was helpful.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: tipping at gas dock

Have I just turned into a crusty old crudgemudgeon, or has the whole tipping thing gotten out of hand?

The basic premise of tipping used to be that you offered them to people in certain jobs, for which it was a part of the person's income by design. By that, I mean jobs such as waitstaff in a restaurant, who may be legally paid at a level well below minimum wage.

These days, it seems like everyone expects to be tipped! I even see owner run businesses with tip jars by the register every so often. I really don't mind rewarding a job well done but it just seems to me that this whole thing has gone beyond what it was intended to be.

LOL, ok ... so this is my rant for today!

 

[aspeck]

Re: tipping at gas dock

I will give you it was years ago, but when I worked at a marina we NEVER expected a tip. There were times when a tip was offered, like when I carried a battery about 1/2 a mile for a customer, or when someone would drop something in the water and we would recover it for them, but it was never expected and always appreciated. If the person at the marina goes the extra mile to help with something that is not in their job description, then go ahead and tip, but don't fell like you have to tip. Just my $0.02.

 

[marine4003]

Re: tipping at gas dock

Its my custom to tip depending on size of boat & service rendered, when i was delivering boats ( 45'-up) the dock hands would help with the lines..pumping the diesel...setting the fenders...and when finished help us get back underway,and in marinas like Annapolis where its tight quarters with a good wind, they would have to hold a spring line to get the bow around while forward port engine and reverse starboard engine..in those conditions a tip is given $20 or so..but when im on the personal boat where i pump the fuel..I agree no tip is needed..and if the dockhand gets surly as a result...there's lots of fuel docks around.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: tipping at gas dock

Screw that, tipping HAS gotten way out of hand..

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: tipping at gas dock

I agree tipping has gotton outta hand like when restaraunts automatically charge it to my credit card, but when it comes to kids working jobs for summer, having teenage daughters one is pooper scooper at the kennel and one mows grass and picks up trash at the park, they get so exited comming home with some extra bucks from tippers, she's saving for a new camera and the other one is saving for a new guitar, the kids learn that being helpful and courteous can have it's benefits.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: tipping at gas dock

the main marina i use in Daytona area. on weekend the fuel dock usually has a line waiting. 3 pumps, 4 guys on the dock. they have to get it on the weekend, to get the 15 footers, and the 45 footers in and out. they work for minimum wage, and tipping is accepted. tip according to the situation. if you have 3 boy/girls, helping you dock that biggie, which you could not do alone. they deserve it. and what's funny. the big boats usually come in with only the captain and one deck hand, they expect the dock service. they fuel, the pick up the their passengers for the day.

 

[Expidia]

Re: tipping at gas dock

Most boaters are notoriously cheap tippers. Sail boaters are the worst!

Marina owners are cheap when it comes to paying their help . . . So you know they are not paying their dock hands much.

Just because gas went up are you going to take it out and blame that on a friendly dock hand that runs over and grabs your lines to prevent damage to your boat same as they did for you last year?

Especially when you are on are larger rig pulling up "alone" to the gas dock.

I tend to tip commensurate on service. I usually give them a couple of bucks anyway just for handing me the nozzle which I know is their job, but I also know their income depends on tips.

I might throw them a few more if they come right down to grab my lines and are friendly to boot!

But just because gas has gone up (Average on Lake George is now $4.99) I wouldn't take that out on the dock hands who are already under paid. I'm sure they didn't get raises over last year with the Marina owners knowing the outlook for this seasons business.

Forgo that extra beer and toss the kid a few bucks

 

[mattttt25]

Re: tipping at gas dock

I tip 95% of the time. Most dock attendants help with lines, hand the pump and put it away, perform a pump out, cast off, etc. They deserve a tip.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: tipping at gas dock

perform the pump out, they deserve 2 tips.

 

[Neverhome]

Re: tipping at gas dock

For pumping gas I don't tip. However we are slipped at a small marina with only two dock hands who alternate working days. If they help in an extraordinary way such as running down the dock to help me in when the current is running or go out of their way to carry some gear for me, I tip on the spot. However, at the end of the season they both get a sizeable tip for services provided throughout the season. It is not required but very well deserved.

Neverhome