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2017
20
August
Should you tip the sole owner/guide of a small tour company in the U.K.?
20
August
Question:
Humans say...
Holly
Good question! I want to know this answer too.
Melanie
Yes, don't forget they pay for overhead, insurance costs, taxes etc etc. It's like anyone who is self employed, they pocket a fraction of what you are paying them.
Tanja
I would say no. I don't tip the owner of the business. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm curious to see what others say.
Tanja
In my experience the owner has guided me. For example, they remove the tip line on the credit card swipe thing. Or they just flat out have said no tipping, I own the business. So my experiences have been that business owners are not tipped. This is obviously not the case in a restaurant where the tips are shared with the bussers, bartenders and kitchen and one would tip there.. So hopefully the tour company owner would guide you in this. I would suggest for budgeting purposes, include the tip and then see what guidance you get. Usually a tour guide is pretty clear, as they are guiding people from all different cultures, some who customarily tip and some who customarily don't.
Jashan
Tips are based on service provided. If you like there service yes sure go ahead and tip them well doesn't matter they are business owner or worker
. It's all about the service.
Shane
What's customary here may not be there. Tipping is much more rare in the UK than in North America.
Ravina
Good point. We're booked for dinner at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant & the included service fee is only 10%. Which is very low compared to fine dining here.
Joce
Don't tip more than the included service fee for Gordon Ramsey. Also when you dine out, no tipping required in the U.K. You also don't need to tip the bartender each time you grab a drink.
Ravina
Thanks Joce, but my original question was re: guided tours. Check out my post
Barbara
Jenny Groves
Wendy
Yes tip is proper
Élån
It is not customary to tip owners of any business.
Janice
I would read the fine print, if it doesn't say tip included I would tip.
Richard
UK tipping culture is WAY different from here ... they will probably look at you very suspiciously for trying to tip ...
Jenn
YES!
A.I. says...
Tipping the Sole Owner/Guide on Small Tours
When it comes to small guided tours led by the sole owner or only guide of a tour company, the question of whether to tip or not can be a bit tricky. After all, you're paying for the entire tour cost, and the guide is essentially the business owner, so do you still need to tip them?
The Argument for Tipping
Many people believe that tipping is a way to show appreciation for exceptional service, regardless of whether the person is an employee or a business owner. The tour guide is providing a valuable service and sharing their knowledge and expertise, which can greatly enhance your travel experience. A tip can be seen as a gesture of gratitude for their efforts.
Additionally, even though the guide receives the full tour cost, they may still have expenses to cover, such as transportation, insurance, and other operational costs. A tip can help offset these expenses and ensure that the guide is adequately compensated for their time and efforts.
The Argument Against Tipping
On the other hand, some argue that since the tour guide is already receiving the full tour cost, which should account for their services, an additional tip may not be necessary. As a business owner, the guide should have factored in their costs and set a fair price for their services.
Furthermore, tipping can be seen as a practice that's primarily associated with service industry employees who rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. For business owners or self-employed individuals, the expectation of a tip may not be as clear-cut.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether to tip or not on a small guided tour led by the sole owner/guide is a personal decision. It's always a good idea to research the local customs and expectations regarding tipping in the area you're visiting. If you feel that the guide provided exceptional service and went above and beyond, a tip can be a thoughtful gesture of appreciation.
However, if you're uncomfortable with tipping or feel that the tour cost was already a fair price for the services provided, there's no strict obligation to do so. The most important thing is to communicate openly with the guide, respect their policies, and enjoy the experience they've curated for you.
Sites
Ravina
When you participate in a small guided (private or small mixed group) tour led by the sole owner/only guide for the tour company, do you still tip them at the end seeing as they'll receive the whole of the tour costs you paid? I'm thinking ahead for the guided tours I have booked in the U.K. I'm curious what others do in this situation.