A Public Service Announcement
No, Tipping is not a city in China! It is a vital source of exchange for receiving good service. As a guide, there is nothing more defeating than, after “doing the thing” for an all-day tour, leaving empty handed. Seemingly oblivious guests smile and wave after having the time of their life adding “donuts” to the coffers. Fury floods my senses below the veneer as I wave back in shock. Did they not know that gratuity is not included? Did they not know how to tip their A1 guide? Or did they just hate me?
Tipping is not simply a concept, but an important form of recognition for quality service. For guides, tips represent a significant part of our wages after long hours spent ensuring guests safely enjoy memorable experiences in the great outdoors. Despite positive interactions, we often find ourselves without adequate compensation. We all try not to take it personally, yet tips are how guides survive.
Professional guides possess extensive knowledge of geology, archeology, and history, presenting information with wit at the sill of opportunity. We capture top-quality photos with careful attention to lighting and composition as we know our medium like the backs of our hands. Many of us are certified in Wilderness Medicine along with extensive credentials to back up our passions. We maintain excellent driving records, prioritizing guest safety, nourishment, and comfort throughout the duration of tours, sometimes over multiple consecutive days.
As guides, we build meaningful connections by engaging in guests’ backgrounds and sharing personal stories, fostering a welcoming environment that brings our local destination to life. We love what we do yet we rely on gratuities for financial stability, especially when tourism slows down during off seasons. Living in a tourist town presents additional challenges, such as high living costs and limited housing options, making tips essential for our well-being. This is why most working locals in Moab have three jobs.
Unlike some positions in the service industry where gratuity is automatically included, guides are often overlooked. Guiding is a service profession, frequently involving responsibility for guests’ lives. We entertain you while we drive safely, we break our backs as we row you downstream through epic wind tunnels, we make sure your harness is safely secure to preserve your life, we get you on and off the bus in one piece, and we make sure you stay on the trail in an upright position. How does the value of your life reflect your tip? The suggested gratuity is between 10% and 20% of the tour cost. However, any amount is better than nothing. Afterall, we are doing more than setting a burger in front of your face.
Personally, I find it tacky to mention tipping during a tour, yet the alternative is crushing. So, in today’s world we actually have to address tipping with digital monies. The fact that tipping has to be mentioned at all is beyond me. If you book a trip, expect to tip! Gratuities contribute significantly to the sustainability and morale of the guiding community. Make our day by showing your appreciation. Cash is king but Venmo is a suitable alternative. And, for the record, the tipping gods know what you give—karma is a bitch! If you liked your ride, please tip your guide!
Written by Alicia Wright and Sean-Paul Schulte