I’ll admit it. I am not a good tipper. I think it’s mostly because I never know how much to tip. I’m not good at figuring math inside my head and can never remember if tips should be 15%, 25%, or 35% of any given bill. I never worked as a waiter/waitress, either, so I have no idea how the hourly-plus-tips arrangement works. So, I defer to my husband. He more than makes up for my deficiency. So, here’s our conundrum: Do you tip campground workers?
Should you tip these types of campground workers?
- Site guide. The person who leads you to your campsite and helps you park your rig (if you want or need assistance). On occasion, we’ve really relied on our site guide. Like times when we’ve pulled into a new-to-us campground in the dark. Or when our assigned site is narrow with big rigs already parked all around our spot. I remember one especially tricky parking challenge where the guy more than deserved a tip! But because I was a nervous wreck by the time we finally got our RV situated, tipping never entered my mind.
- Office help. There’s the gal at the office desk who arranged for us to move to a vacated spot in the shade. It was hot and extremely humid. Extremely. Humid. And hot. That’s usually no problem, but our air conditioner wasn’t working. At the time, the campground’s pool was closed due to COVID, and we were miserable! The office gal heard about our plight and approached us with the idea of moving once the current site holders moved on down the road. Of course, we jumped at the chance to have some shade. This kind woman’s thoughtfulness saved our vacation that year. Did we tip? Erm, well … no. (We said “Thanks so much!” Does that count?)
- Over-the-top service. Then there was the worker who saw us fiddling with our propane tanks. We realized that both tanks were nearly empty. As we discussed what to do since the farm supply store (the only source of propane in the area) was closed for the day, the guy brought an “extra” full tank for us to use—for free! We returned the tank—minus the propane we’d used—when we left the following day. The guy happily waved as we drove off. Don’t even ask. No, we didn’t tip. We offered our genuine and effusive thanks, of course, but no money exchanged hands.
You’re probably thinking one of two things—either “Tip at a campground? Never heard of such a thing.” Or “What cheapskates!” But here’s the thing: I’ve never seen anyone tip or attempt to tip the campground workers. Never. Most times the parking helper rides off in the golf cart before I can reach for my purse. I know many campground workers volunteer and receive a “free” RV site as payment, so do they hope for tips to compensate monetarily? I simply don’t know.
To tip or not to tip?
Maybe you have some insight for us. Perhaps you’ve worked or volunteered at a campground and can tell us what’s expected as far as a tip. If you’ve tipped a campground worker, I’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments below. Also, please vote in the poll below.
How much is an appropriate tip if there’s no formal “bill” from which to figure a tip amount? Is tipping expected in the places you’ve visited? Is leaving a tip a relatively new thing for campgrounds in general? Or did I miss the memo about tipping? I’m eager to hear your opinions!
##RVT1093
That’s a real good question. I look at it as a service thing. Example: If I need propane at a park and the park has a mobile service, I always tip the man filling the propane bottles. He came to me, much like a waiter would and he handled my needs at my site. 5 or 10 bucks, depending on how many bottles, and especially if we are a group of RVs, like 2 weeks ago (8 Rigs) at Bonnelli Bluffs RV Resort San Dimas, Cal. for NASCAR at the Coloseum. 6 bottles, $20 tip.
For office and grounds staff, depending on length of stay and how often we may frequent a park, we may just order up a few pizzas and salads for the team the day before we depart.
The pizzas are a really good idea. I much prefer that to tipping money.
I’ve never tipped a campground worker but I’ve thought about it. Now as a workkamper I’ve been offered tips for assisting guests to sites and helping to get them parked or for delivering firewood and ice. I’ve always refused the tip saying “it’s my pleasure to serve them.” On only 2 occasions in over a year I’ve been forced to take the tip. Both times I told the campground owner. I didn’t think he would mind but I also wanted him to hear from me so as not to think I was bothering guests for extra $$.
I love what I do and your satisfaction and happiness are enough for me. Oh, and writing a great review on Google, Yelp, and Trip Advisor. Good reviews get others coming out which keeps our way of life going.
We’ve tried to tip the person taking us to our site or bringing firewood a few times. But like Tom H., they have always refused the tip. Now, we just ask if they accept tips if they’ve gone above and beyond their work camping duties. But so far, the answer has still been no.
We work at a campground. We have been offered tips, but try to be thankful in our refusal. Sometime the client won’t take no for answer, then we let the owner know what occured. I’ve also had customers give me homemade items as a thank you. I will take those, again tell the owner, and share with the staff if that’s doable. Our owners are okay with all of the above. I also suggest to happy campers that they give the campground a good review.
Two-thirds of our clients are seasonal, and they often bring homemade goodies or fresh vegetables to our owners as a ‘thank-you”. Those items are gratefully accepted by the owners and shared with all of the staff.
As state forest campground hosts, we have enjoyed helping the campers that stayed with us. In the years that we have hosted, only once did we receive a tip. A camper had a problem at his campsite, we were able to help him with the issue and make him more comfortable. When he checked out, he stopped by our site and gifted us with a package of fudge made at a local candy shop. We had enjoyed having him stay with us and the fudge was appreciated.
I am a host every summer at a small RV park in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. I get a free space with full hookups as part of my job. I don’t expect tips, I would much rather see positive reviews that keeps bringing people back. We have a tremendous number of guests that return every year, good service contributes a lot to that.
Instead of tipping, I find out the name of the person’s boss and send a letter telling why this person was so good and helpful at the job and always suggest the person be given a raise!
I stay in national forest or state campgrounds. Never asked one to do anything except once in a really bad place, backing uphill into a very narrow space, I asked that she holler if I was about to hit something. She refused, said they weren’t supposed to help park. Another time, I was in a space with piles of stuff falling out of a tree and on such a slant that I couldn’t get myself and dog into the trailer without quite a hassle. I asked a worker if I could move because the other space, no one showed up after over 24 hours. He was very grouchy and said not unless I paid for another space, yet there were no pay envelopes in the slot, no cell phone service, and he left; no camp host. The state campgrounds do nothing about dogs running loose. Haven’t seen a reason to tip yet.
Did you post your “Get off my lawn!” sign?
No, but guess I need one. For the grouchy guy, I got the drift people have been rude to him, but I wasn’t. The uphill parking spot was the only one that was ever a problem. But I’ve had guys offer to help, telling me which way to turn the wheel–completely wrong. So, no help is best.
It seems that tipping has spread from restaurant servers , whose pay was generally predicated upon them earning tips to complete their compensation. I see tip jars in places where the only service is taking your order and placing it on a counter for you to either carry to your table or out the door. If you tip for service rendered, where do you draw the line. If an EMT responds to your call for help to assist you with a heart attack and saves your life, should you tip them? Remember, people working in the service industry were hired to provide service. In a case where service well above the norm was provided I have tipped, but to me it can get expensive as well as becoming expected.
I never thought about it either. My one thought is all this tipping for everything is getting out of hand. It does seem now where ever you go someone expects a tip for doing their job.
I have tipped camp ground workers who have assisted me in parking my trailer, and generally being good people for going out of their way to assist me in things I would have difficulty doing alone. Also invite them over for a beer or two when you are BBQ’ing.
What a great idea, Bill. Nothing says more than treating others like fellow human beings. Inviting your meal server to your home for a burger and a brew goes a long way to restore people’s faith in human kindness.
Yes! I look at it the same way as a food server. You’re not tipping the chef are you. You’re tipping for the service you’re getting that’s above and beyond. I don’t do it if it’s just common courtesy I’m getting.
Come on! Is common courtesy out the window? Are we going to expect to be paid to help our neighbor or do our job? We are heading for dangerous ground if we convert every good deed to one that has to be paid for. Of course, if you go there, the quality of the service paid for is going to be judged. Is that where we want to go? Or is it much more pleasant to just give a smile and a thank you and maybe a hand shake. Let’s keep it friendly and voluntary. There’s enough ‘have to be paid for it’ around.
No, never thought of it. Almost all my interaction is with Host or employee checking in. Comparing this with a hotel I never tip the front desk people. Do tip the hotel housekeeper but at camp we police our own area and leave it the way we found it, if not better.
When we worked at a campground, a county-run park, we would occasionally get a tip. We would be clear to the kind person that offered the tip that we would donate it to the park. So a few would think about it but we never accepted it. I would assume it would be different for a person in a private park though. I will keep it in mind from now on.
Having worked as a host for several I have a lttle experience. the campground I was at required us to assist in parking all rigs. It was part of the parks policy and the guests sure appreciated it. I never expected a tip, but on occasion a person would tip. I often declined it but if they persisted I would accept it. The money was then used towards something in the park – for example candy on the counter.
We also sold propane. It was easy to fill portable tanks. Filling tanks mounted in rigs a little more difficult. One time a guy had a motorhome whose tank was in a very difficult position to access the fill valve. I had to get down on the wet ground to connect the hose. It took me about 5 minutes to finally get things hooked up. When I was done he had about $.30 in change coming. He said everyone has a hard time hooking up the hose. He told me to keep the $.30 as a tip. I almost told him where to put it.
My wife and I differ on this subject. It’s her position that campground workers, or service/repair people who come to our home or rig, are already being paid so one should not tip them. I always tip them. They are incredibly grateful, and if there is ever a future need for on site service, they remember and make an extra effort to arrive asap. Walk a mile in another man shoes. They receive abuse from owners for arriving late, or needing parts to complete a job. People can be terribly callous and nasty to service people for unrelated reasons. If you’ve ever saved rigs from impending disasters, fixed toilets clogged with bloody personal hygiene products, cleaned out drains filthy with human or pet hair, or rewired and fireproofed a rat’s nest of tangled or scorched wires, all while being underpaid by an unsympathetic boss, you would understand what a tip means. I feel sorry for owners who were never taught good manners or common courtesy by their parents.
I thought the whole idea is to keep rv life cost down. Retirees take these jobs because it helps them to travel cheaper, it allows the campground to keep costs down. It’s the whole We help each other so to speak for this lifestyle. Why do we continue to destroy all of the simple things in life. Count me out, I will not tip workcampers as a standard practice. Just so you know, we workcamped at a very busy site, didn’t expect tips, just enjoyed the experience and meeting people.
I have never tipped at a campground, but I worked in the office/camp store at a small rural resort a couple of summers ago and I got some very nice tips. I never felt that I deserved them, but I was happy for them anyway and thanked the tippers profusely.
It seems like anymore too many people want tips for doing their Job. It’s getting out of hand. No one tipped me for doing my job and I never expected it. In National parks employees may not be allowed tips or have a cap that allows something small.
We have stayed many times at a campground in upstate NY. While we never actually tipped the staff, we have taken taken them out for some drinks and a bite to eat. Privately owned campground and the small staff was always willing to help. We became good friends.
I tipped the St Pete/Madeira Beach KOA site guide $5 on our first trip with our new camper. His expert assistance in front of a bunch of seasoned snowbirds was worth every penny!
Tipping has gotten out of hand. We need to STOP Tipping period. Force the greedy business owners to pay a liveable wage
Like they would?😏
As a campground worker don’t expect to be tipped. Either I am working limited hours to get site, being a “volunteer” to get free site, or being paid and getting free site. I like what I do very much (though 1% of y’all need to take a camping etiquette class!). I like helping people. Once in three years my DH and I were offered a tip. We refused it and told them to put it in the donation box since it stays in the park to further the beautification and upkeep (state park). I don’t expect a tip and would refuse it. Depending on the area even volunteering figures out at $18.75/hour (for what it would cost either at park we are working or based on getting somewhere nearby for a month at a time).
In my eight years as a campground owner, our customers tried to tip maybe a dozen times a season, so it definitely was not a widespread practice—nor was it expected. As the owner I would politely decline, but gave our employees the option of accepting tips if they so desired; most also declined. If campers insisted on pressing money into my hand, I would let them know I was grateful for their generosity but that the money would go into the charity box on our front counter, which we donated annually to the Virginia Wildlife Center.
Unfortunately, I think that the trend overall is toward more tipping as camping itself becomes more transactional. As with so many other relationships in our society, we’re moving away from personal connections to monetary ones.
That is a very insightful comment. Regrettably, I have to agree… everything seems to be about the money and not the opportunity to be of service.
Is it because wages are not keeping up with inflation? Some kind of societal shift? Because I’m an old curmudgeon and perceive the world differently now? Don’t know… but it sure seems real to me.
Re, tipping: the people who used the propane that was “loaned” should have given the owner of the propane at least a fiver for use of the “borrowed” propane. You used it, repay what u used – common sense to me and this is not a tip.
I work for a casino and I don’t mind going out of the way. I want to make sure the customer has a nice time and want to come back. They are my pay check. If no customer no pay check. When we are out camping I don’t mind helping someone with their camper..
Right on! Ex casino worker myself and now full time RVer.
I also feel tipping is out of hand. Workers are paid to do a job and should not expect a tip. If they are not happy with their pay then maybe it’s time to talk to their boss or look for another job. No doubt that restaurant owners have gotten away with under paying their help and depending on their customers to make up the difference.
It really depends on what the campground worker did for us. If it is within tasks expected during a normal work day – no, I don’t tip – but I always sincerely give thanks for the help.
I did give a substantial tip to one worker. Our large TT was on one site and we were on a wait list for a premium site. Sure, we got a call from the park while we were travelling away from the park. The office has a spare key for our RV. A park employee used his personal truck to move us from one site to the new one. And to disconnect our utilities and reconnect them at the new site AND to move/reinstall our wood deck. (we had an elderly large dog that could no longer do steps so we used a wood deck and a portable ramp)
I tried once but the worker refused it as it wasn’t necessary in his opinion. He suggested I put the tip into the Cancer Cares donation jar which assists kids with cancer and provides camping opportunities. However, this long time custom is fading in America. In the good old days, everyone would give a couple bucks to the repairman so he would remember you. I still do this with certain workers and my furnace man recently told me that no one does that anymore. Needless to say, my furnace runs great. Since its no longer expected, it gives me greater pleasure to do so now.
I believe in tipping, 20-20+% on dining bills, less if service is subpar, like really bad attitude or total lack of attention. Servers jobs are so very difficult these days and if we realize that they are having a bad day we try our best when possible to help turn that around.
If someone goes above and beyond their job, I will tip. That’s what tips are for. I’m fortunate I can afford to tip, but this is getting out of hand. The VOLUNTEERS at the campground know what’s expected when they signed up. The guy who guides you in, he’s getting paid.
I’m not going start tipping just because someone is doing their JOB. Exceptional service, yes I will.
How are servers job any more difficult than 10 or 20 years ago? It’s the same job. If they are busier, they wait more tables and get more individual tips.
One way their job is more difficult is they’re dealing with more customers that are rude, belligerent, and cop an attitude. I’m not saying all customers, just a higher percentage than 20 years ago. People are more stressed these days and it comes across in bad behavior. I wouldn’t have a service industry job if it paid $100,000.00 a year. Too much customer BS to put up with.
I do tip restaurant servers a minimum of 20% unless totally ignored. I’ve never tipped a RV park worker. Come to think of it, they too are providing a service and if they go above and beyond to help you…why not tip?
I am one of the many who has never even thought to tip. I will discuss this with DW. Perhaps we’ll modify our behavior.
I do tend to tip excessively (so says DW) in restaurants (I was a busboy one summer and developed a perpetual sympathy for waiters and waitresses). DW taught me to tip delivery people, especially when they deliver unwieldy and/or heavy things. Sometimes tipping extends to other types of service we receive, but usually only for exceptional service. Lastly, people from whom we receive consistently good service on a recurrent basis (e.g., our mail lady) get a Christmas present of $20-$30 value and card each year.
I am blessed to have what I do. I love that you are taken to your site. I have had help with propane getting filled in bitter cold. I have had food delivered to our site. Yes I pay for the site, the propane, the food, but it is the help I like to give a tip too. It is so hard to find help now I don’t understand people not working. I don’t think they make much so if I can help I will. Now if I seem to be a bother to them, no way. But more times than not, a big smile and anything I can do for you. I have only once tried to give an owner some extra but they are the owner or manager. I would hope they are getting paid more than the staff. Jim
I feel I’m a good tipper, for restaurant workers especially. On rare occasions when I stay at a hotel (housekeeping service). I will tip mechanics, or dock help, or home repair professionals, I’ll even throw a couple bucks in the tip jar at a subway or the like. I will not however, tip a campground or RV park worker. I think it’s because the person is there doing it because they want to be. If it’s a J-O-B, they probably don’t want to be doing it in the first place, so being gifted a little extra makes that part of their life just a bit easier.
HELLO??? What??? They want to b?? Wake up !!! They are there to pay rent , put food on the table, and more! What a low life comment 👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿
Wow. That’s pretty harsh, MSR. I think who Matt might be referring to are the folks who choose the full-time (or nearly full-time) RV lifestyle and in their travels volunteer, or work temporarily, at a campground or RV park to get a spot to park for awhile, before they move on to their next temporary location. Or maybe they just like to help out their fellow campers and this gives them something worthwhile to do. Many of our readers do not rely on the income from a temporary assignment at a park or campground, after working hard all of their lives to be able to RV comfortably in their retirement. Anyway, have a good day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I don’t feel that tipping “office workers” , clerks or casual interactions with others is necessary. If we were to start tipping the one who takes our money when we check in then would someone argue that we tip everyone we come in contact with everywhere we go? I don’t feel that tipping is necessary for those who we come in contact with. We have tipped servers well in restaurants for good table service but now that wages have jumped significantly I am tipping less.
I offered a tip once at a KOA, and it was refused. As for the propane, you should have offered to at least pay for what you used. That is just common courtesy.
We need less occupations that expect tipping, not more. Nobody tips the teacher who goes an extra mile for your kid, a great grocery clerk, or the propane guy who does a fast, correct job. It’s hard enough for people to camp or have fun on a weekend, staying inside a tight budget. Let’s not start expecting them to factor in tips, too.
I have never tipped but I have sent Thank you notes in the mail to various campgrounds or sought the individual out the next day to thank them again.
We are workampers and have been doing it for a little over 7 years. In this time, we have occasionally been tipped but not very often. Do we expect it? Absolutely not. Is it appreciated? Absolutely. But what means more to us than most tips is a good attitude camper who says thank you or who does a good review on the campground. Hubby was once tipped $100 by a very nice gentlemen who he had helped with a few issues. We were beyond amazed and grateful. That may have been a once in a lifetime tip and that’s ok with us. It’s not an act that fits across the board to every camper and every situation. Just let the situation dictate your actions.
I have been a work camper for 2 1/2 years now at an RV resort in North Central Florida. When you take the value of my rent and utilities and calculate the hourly wage, it is very low. That said, I never expect a tip. What we would rather see is a great review posted online for the campground. When we were still traveling, I relied heavily on reviews when choosing a place to stay.
Good article! I answered yes because I have tipped a few times when I was quick enough with my wallet. There have been a few times also, in hindsight, just as Gail mentioned I thought I should’ve tipped a more than helpful campground worker. In both instances, the tip, or missed tip, went to the campsite escorts who not only led me to my site but also jumped off their golf cart to help stow my dolly on the campsite. I don’t feel there is a rule as to how much, unlike the 20% demanded by the restaurant industry, so I’ll give what I feel is appropriate at the moment, usually $5 if I have the cash on hand.
To add to the discussion and what I have been pondering since last summer when I received excellent service from my RV dealers service department, “Do You Tip the Service Writer” that got you a fast appointment, quick turnaround, and probably saved you some money?
When I get “quick turnaround” from a service appointment, I’ll let you know…
Folks who don’t offer tips for better than expected service have usually not worked at a minimum wage (or less) customer service job.
I offer tips quite often at camping or RV service type places. As an example, my Lance 1120 has 2 50# (when full) propane tanks horizontally mounted at about shoulder height on my Chevy dually. When the propane guy helps me lift them into position after filling I offer a tip. (probably $2 at most after a 14 gallon fill) Most times it’s declined with a “..just doing my job.” statement.
I’ve worked at less than minimum pay jobs where tips made a big difference in the kind of food I ate. Granted there are many who are indifferent to the service they give and may not deserve a tip, but others know there is value in going ‘over and above’ even if not monetary.
Many folks don’t realize that most food service wait staff share a portion of their tips with dishwashers, bar backs, and other ‘back of house’ workers.
Food service staff are paid a very low wage, to be supplemented by tips. This is not the same as other occupations, which are paid whatever the going rate is for that job. We’d all like to be better paid, but that doesn’t mean we should tip every occupation we run into.
We sold our RV park this summer after owning it for 9 years. Most of our guests were long term, 1-2 months minimum, some full timers, some “weekend warriors” leaving their rv on site year round. We had a small staff, 6-8 people. Tipping was pretty rare, but sometimes people thanked the staff for extra service with beer or bottle of tequila, food, gift cards, or fish they caught. It wasn’t expected but always very much appreciated by our staff. I tried to be generous with extra bonuses and surprise gifts for the workers. As with all of life, a little thoughtfulness and thanks goes a long ways with those around us.
Have not thought to offer cash but frequently invite over for Irish coffee, beer tasting or just snacks & good conversation. Seems like we have managed to collect a lot of new people into our sphere over the years & so thankful for camping friends!
As workcampers we do not expect to receive tips for doing our jobs. That said, we have had campers gift us cookies, or other goodies, when we went “above and beyond.” My husband spent one summer working the “honey wagon” pumping out RV tanks, and received tips often, which was greatly appreciated. The one place I would like to see folks tip more is when staying in our cabins. The housekeeping staff often does more than hotel workers, as they have kitchens to clean, on top of multiple beds and bathrooms!
Tipping entitlement is getting out of hand. I delivered pizzas in college in the 60s. I was pleasantly surprised when one New Year’s Eve I got a tip. It was the only one in a year. It is so bad in France that establishments even force you to tip by putting the amount they deem appropriate in the bill–“service compris.” Just about every counter has a tip jar. Credit card terminals prompt you to tip. Geez!
Amen to that!
My wife and I have been camp hosts for 3 years and have on occasion been asked if we would accept a tip. I have declined but, if they insist then I will accept their generosity. Sometimes we have been away and when we return to camp have found someone has left food or a note thanking us for our help. I think if you find the service has been exceptional then a tip is fine.
As a former campground owner for 10 years I would have been upset if I heard my employees accepted a tip for doing the job I hired them to do. All employees hired knew what their job consisted of and did what they were required to do and got paid for doing the job.
Never tipped a campground worker, but have shared a beer or drink with them. Also, never have tipped a garbage man or mail man either.
My father / brother were in hospitality business & they always know how to tip . I learn from them so if anyone helps or go out of the way I tip.
So how much do you tip and for what services?
Haven’t tipped, but have offered a beverage (usually wine or beer) and even invited them to dinner when they have gone above and beyond. Was in the hospitality business for over 20 years, didn’t expect nor accepted cash tips. Was always nice to get a “thank you” or was included with a friendly visit/drink.
I have tipped once. At a RV resort/casino. We had tickets to see a concert at the casino. RV resort was about 1/4-1/2 mile from the casino. It was pouring rain. And the RV resort offered free shuttle rides to and from resort to casino. I tipped him $10 it was worth it.
Never have but if someone lent propane I sure would have offered cash.
I agree. To me that isn’t a tip, but reimbursement for what they shared with me.
A tip should be a gift for a job well-done, not something everybody expects all the time. If anything we should follow Europe and not tip.
It is very unfortunate that many workers will treat others based on their tipping generosity. Not everyone can afford to tip.
A $200 hair color and style should not be tipped. A $50 haircut should not be tipped. Restaurants should pay their employees better so tips are not needed. All restaurant workers, except waiters and waitresses get at least minimum wage, why can’t they include them too?
My friend went to work for a restaurant about 5 years ago, she said she expected a minimum tip of 20% from all tables. Do we want to keep feeding free money to an entitled generation???
No, we should not tip anyone just because they are doing their jobs. We should tip when they go above and beyond for us. Tips shouldn’t be expected, or required, they should be an offering of gratitude for a job well done.
And I should say that I worked as a waitress years ago in London. It annoyed me the restaurant made me be dependent on the generosity of others.
The British didn’t tip, and the restaurant didn’t pay me the difference. Some times Americans would come in and tip, other times I was very tired from working long hours and it was very hard to smile. I still did my job as well as I could but got no tips. Expected tips are wrong, hurt people, and profit businesses. Let the businesses be responsible for paying minimum wages, and let the people gift as they see fit.
If you read the minimum wage regulations you’ll see that those who receive tips have a lower minimum wage, at least in Ohio. It is $10.10 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.05 per hour for tipped employees.
I have never thought to tip at a campground, but upon reflection, I’ll probably consider tipping for going above and beyond, but not for average performance of expected work duties. I will never tip camp hosts that “guide” me into my spot–they cause me more stress and distraction than if they’d stay out of the way and let me do my back in parking magic. If I stay at a place that I know to be serviced by volunteers (which is often hard to know, even in government campgrounds), then maybe I’ll offer a tip for exceptionally clean restrooms.
But honestly, I’m desensitized by tip fatigue. I don’t believe I should tip for carry-out, Subway/Starbucks, etc. And I’m afraid to not tip, in case workers remember next time and treat me differently because of it. I also believe that management wants us to tip their workers so management can use the excuse to pay them a lesser wage. End tipping.
I worked at an RV Resort in Tennessee where we would deliver large buckets of firewood to their site (carried to the fire ring or fireplace for them). Each full bucket weighed about 40 lbs. Although no tip was expected, about 10% of the guests were very appreciative of the fact that they did not have to wrangle with these large heavy containers. I always appreciated a tip but never expected it.
We go to one favorite campground and they routinely must help the rigs to park because there are so many trees — this is in Clio, CA but when we went to Santa Cruz and literally squeezed between the redwoods — nobody helped nobody cared. The hilly terrain didn’t help. We won’t go back there.
For the most part, tipping is a western concept. In many parts of the world it is demeaning and an insult! I won’t tip for carryout even if there is a “tip” container on the counter. I have tipped a shuttle driver at the airport when they ask what airline and drop you at the closest door.
My wife and I worked for a couple of years here in Maine. She in the office, me in security. Neither of us was ever offered a tip. We didn’t expect one. Management never discussed the topic.
We have never tipped money, we have brought dinner, pizza or donuts to show our appreciation.
The best tip you can give is a great review
We have been working in campgrounds for 6 years and I have been offered a tip twice for service above and beyond expectations. But both times were at state parks and we are not allowed to accept tips. On the other hand I have been verbally abused twice by unhappy campers. All I ask is to be treated with respect and an occasional “thank you”. The parks like good reviews but I never see them.
BTW pay at most private RV parks is between $10 and $15 per hour plus a free site and sometimes other perks.
Nope – no tipping. I worked in RV parks/campgrounds for years and was never tipped. Our compensation for working was plenty. If it was not we would have looked elsewhere for a job.
I think this country has gone overboard on tipping. Wages are up with many areas getting $15 an hour or more. I rarely go to restaurants now because the expected tip is 20% or more. 10% was hard to come up with on a fixed income. Now they are talking of tipping fast food staff. Worst part about tipping is: many places now pool tips and divvy up among all the staff – good and bad ones.
I agree. It’s out of hand. Why should I pay extra for you to do your job you are already getting paid to perform.
Agree, let the owner or manager figure out the pay. If they can’t, they won’t be in business long.
We personally hand a cash tip to the server and thank them. They can keep the tip for themselves or share it with other staff should they choose to. “Equity” has no place in this environment.
I am always prepared to tip at a campground……if a worker goes above and beyond. So many examples noted here are expected services and would not warrant a tip. The example of providing a full propane tank when the camper ran out, definitely! I don’t fuss with % calculations. What ever seems appropriate.
I have never thot of tipping a full waged employee. I only tip food service servers because their wages are below minimum wage. In Florida, anyway, actual Min Wage is $11.00 and hour but Min Wage for food servers is $7.98 an hour. It used to be 50% of actual Min Wage. For whatever reason this is historic in the USA. I, and my daughter as well, were servers while in college Please tip your food server well. Others are full wage earners and don’t need tipping for doing their job. I know it is similar in at least some other states.
Wow, waitressing in FL gets $7.98! When I waitress back in early 2000’s my minimum wage was $2.01 but my tips were great. Things have changed.
Hi, Dorrie. That reminds me of when I was working weekends and summers while in junior high and high school. I worked at the concession stand at Green Lake in Seattle for $1/hr. I got an offer to work at the concession stand at the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, for $1.10/hr. Couldn’t pass up that big raise! My babysitting wages while in junior high were 25 cents/hr. before midnight and 35 cents/hr. after midnight. (I’m 76, BTW. So those wages were many decades ago.) Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Just reminded me. One of my jobs in college was pumping gas, washing windshields checking oil and water and tires, all for $1.00 an hour, No one ever tipped me. Cooked and waited tables. Cleaned the theater for watching the movie for free. Did laundry for other students and ironed pants for 10 cents and shirts for 15 cents. Yep all those jobs. I guess I didn’t have time for school and why I flunked out. Oh well … Memories of growing up.
Work ethics, Kelly. Just expected way back when. But I think they’re becoming less and less expected these days; in fact, maybe just the opposite. Sad. Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Random acts of kindness make the world go round! I remind myself that I’m lucky having a life partner with the ‘resources’ to share without needing it to be justified in anyway. His largesse makes my life happier.
I am blessed to have a campground in Florida that I routinely stay at for 2 months every year. The staff always goes above and beyond, and they have become like family. At the end of my stay I always give the dock workers a good tip, even though I have my own kayak and don’t rent a boat. The dock workers will see me coming in from a late paddle and just walk down and pick my boat up and carry it for me.
The office staff is also wonderful as are the maintenance guys. They always have a cheerful word for me and a dog biscuit for my dog. I love finding special gifts for all the staff here. On really busy weekends, I go to the local donut shop for donuts and bring them back to the office and to the dock. I know how hard they work and I know what a wonderful job they do and I have also got in the face of more than one person who has started acting abusive to them. Staff have rules and regulations that they must follow and some jerks get mad because the staff can’t break the rules.
You should Pat yourself on the back!!! Based on the majority of camper comments I have read,, most are typical of the average camper!!! Giving a cookie or just saying Thanks, when a worker goes out of their way for you , is CHEAP!!!! I have read, with a lot of laughter, many of the comments people make about tipping I simply excuses, and people who simply like to hear themselves say nothing!. So good for you. When somebody delivers a propane tank, the war, trailer, or helps us take a wind blown canopy to the dumpster, we become very thankful and generous as well.
We have never really “tipped” a campground employee. We have been known leave treats at the office or birthday cards to show our appreciation.
Every public park we worked/volunteered with had strict rules about accepting tips. However, we did get formal recognitions for “above and beyond” service and quite a few invitations to a meal, baked goods, or a pot of homemade soup.
When we were work campers, some of the park staff and local volunteers were planting a garden outside of the visitor center. We were staffing the store at the time. My husband picked up a few beverages from the cooler and offered them…on our dime. The volunteers accepted but the staff were very hesitant. He eventually convinced them it was okay…and that the drinks had been properly paid for!
Tipping culture in this country is out of control and needs to die. I tip for table service, cab drivers, and other traditional tipping occupations. I will not tip at a credit card payment kiosk (what do people who pay cash do?), and I have never tipped at a campground.
And before someone comments, “well, you’ve never worked in the service industry!”, I worked 24 years as a maintenance supervisor for a large apartment complex and in all those years I was never tipped, nor did I expect one. I was well-paid, with benefits and I did my job.
Well said! I’m sure that we are not the only people that have had it “up to here” with the out of control tipping expectations. Just this weekend my wife and I were at the RV and Boat show in Omaha, NE and purchased a bottle of overpriced water. They only took cards and the lady had the nerve to point out the tipping options on the kiosk. Needless to say I didn’t leave a tip!
I hate those electronic systems that precalculate the tip choices they recommend you consider. The assumption of a tip at every transaction on life is outlandish. Next thing the meter reader at your house will give you his recommended tip sheet.
I tip well when it is earned. Seldom when it’s solicited.
People who camp are very nice people for the most part. They have children they have dogs they keep their tow vehicle shiny they smoke many are overweight, and most are very frugal! Natalie and I have been parking our vehicle at a beautiful campground in the state of Pennsylvania for many years we have a local gentleman deliver wood to us. He charges $45. Because he stacks it and it’s so nice and it’s always warm, we give them $65! People who work in a campground ajust like people who work in a restaurant. They deserve a tip! Not sometimes, but all the time, especially if they go out of your way their way for you. The comments I read above are absolutely appalling, but not surprising. we have found that most people who camp are not even middle-class people and perhaps this is why they take for granted some of the wonderful kindness that is campground workers provide. So the bottom line… That we always say thank you with a Wallet in addition to our mouth! It is most appropriate !!!!!!!
I agree !!!
I’ve campground hosted. I’ve been a site cleaner. I’ve also been the guy that directs you to your site and guides you in. This has always been a volunteer job which I get a free site in exchange for the service I provide. I never really thought about getting a tip or giving a tip when I’m the guy just camping. But, now you’ve got me thinking. I’m not big on giving tips myself. So I just never thought about giving the guy who cleaned my fire ring a tip. I have on the other hand thought about giving a piece of my mind to the guy before me who left a mess.
I helped some folks out of a difficult situation that they created for themselves. After awhile, they knocked and offered to pay me. I said absolutely not, I was happy to help and they should just pay it forward by helping when they get the opportunity. RVing is not about monetary gain, it about enjoying your trip and the folks you meet along the way.
As the 1st post and the 100th post on this subject, i have learned that some RVers tip and some don’t. Some tip well, others think it’s crazy to tip at all. Seems like a very personal thing.
I just say if you feel someone earned an extra attaboy, tip them if you choose to. If you think they are just being mooches, don’t tip them.
I’ll continue to be a generous tipper either way. I tipped the semi driver 100 bucks 2 hours ago for driving through the snow with my important cargo coming from southern California, through the snow storms yesterday and today. He earned it.
As a former resort and RV campground owner/operator. Having a paid staff on my payroll, tips weren’t expected. I built the business from the ground up, with the philosophy that my guest weren’t there for me. But we were there for them. They were on vacation or holiday and were paying me to be my guest. It was engrained with my staff, if a guest has any request for anything, be it provide them with extra assistance or whatever the case may be. They were to do whatever it took to make sure that our guest were happy and taken care of.
I had the same staff that worked for me every year and knew my philosophy. I also had the same guest returned every year. Because of the level of service we provided them. Our guest were never expected to tip, just as the staff never expected a tip. If a guest wanted to tip them, it was expressed that a tip isn’t necessary. If the guest insisted on giving them one, they were to graciously accept it and thank them. All guest were treated equally.
There should be no tips for anyone in any job. Employers should pay a fair wage for the job and not artificially keep prices low with low wages, expecting the customer to pay that business expense after presenting the bill. Employees should not have to rely on the good will of the customer to make their paychecks. (That said, I do tip. My personal opinion is not the conventional way of doing things.)
We have a favorite state park that we use for long weekend trips during the summer, always bring cookies into the camp office when checking in…the staff love it and we were remembered by some of the grounds people. You brought those great cookies is what we heard from them. Doesn’t cost us much and they appreciate the thought (and cookies)
I haven’t in the past in a campgound, but I think it “could depend”; certainly, I have tipped in some circumstances that are not normally tipped, but I felt were over and above.
I don’t tip anyone except wait staff and only if it is good service. You knew the wages when you took the job. If it is your job to do something why should I tip. I worked over 40 yrs as a registered nurse. I never got tipped, it wasn’t allowed, and I put up with a lot of shit. That was my job. The hotel staff cleaned my room and left mints on my pillow, that’s her job. I’m not tipping. I don’t know where all the tipping started but it has gone way overboard. You shouldn’t have to tip for services someone chose to do. I am on SS also and can’t afford to pay tips to everyone.
I think tipping has gone overboard in this country. I will tip workers who rely on tips as part of their salary and who earn the tip. But nobody else. I am a workamper who works 20hrs/week for a site and hookups. I am retired so do workamping to stay busy and meet people, not to rely on the money. So definitely no to tipping in any form to workampers.
Tipping has gotten way out of control! When we went to Europe 10 years ago there was no tipping. We were told that it was a purely American thing and one person we got to know said it was considered to be an insult.
It’s time for tipping to completely end.