Tipping question

[disney4dan]

When we stayed at a KOA over Labor Day weekend, we were escorted to our site by one of the campworkers in a golf cart who helped line me up so the truck and trailer would fit without either being in the road.

As I started to get things settled in, wheels chocked, utilities connected, etc. he hung out for a while and helped by shining a light, struck up a conversation, etc.

After he left, it dawned on me (I'm not necessarily the fastest draw in the west) - was he expecting a tip? I never really thought of camping as the sort of vacation where you end up tipping people like you would a bell hop or sky cap at the airport.

Do any of you tip someone who directs you to your site? I mean other than sharing a beer or twelve with Fort Fiends?

 

[stacktester]

Dan, when we went to the Keys last summer we kinda ran into the same thing. A guy had us follow him on a cart. Once we backed in the camper it was a little un level so he went and got us some 2x6 boards to help. I said thanks and handed him $5. He gave it back and said buy the girls an ice cream. I had MrsGus' daughter and mine with me. He said he ran the place for the owners and didn't need it lol. It kinda made me feel stupid but oh well. I guess the best thing to do is ask if u want to tip them.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

We discovered early on that camping folks just help other campers out. We ran across more gracious people on our state park adventure one year..... Got invited to share dinner on more occasions than I could count. And, there was always someone there to assist you get settled. Love, love, love this lifestyle!

 

[mnsprk]

I really doubt he was waiting for a tip. Many KOA's and private parks as well escort and help get you parked. I am currently at one right now that does that. Many even list that as one of the amenities they provide.

 

[BRDof3]

Dan, I work part-time for the local KOA. We escort new arrivals, help get them leveled and set up if needed, deliver supplies, stock the camp store, and pick up trash. We keep extra boards and blocks if people need it. We even have a few outdoor rugs that people have left behind. I'll go get one of those and drop outside someone camper door to keep them from stepping into the dirt or mud all the time. Especially after dark, getting a Class C properly leveled can be tough wihtout help. Ditto for delaing with toads that won't fit in the site.

I always try to make another pass a few minutes after I leave a new arrival, make sure the hook-ups are working, that sort of thing. I haven't been offered a tip, but I wouldn't take it if I was. It's part of the service you are paying for as a guest. KOA expects it, and our owner wouldn't think of skipping it.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Dan, send me the tip and I'll see to it that the young man gets a nice thank you card.




I agree with the others, no tip, he's just helpful.
Great question,

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

That is a good question, and I'm glad to hear it's not expected, or I'd be feeling pretty guilty right now!

 

[disney4dan]

I feel much better now, I hate being ignorant of social graces and try to keep learning as I grow older.

I agree that this is one of the reasons I love camping so much, It feels more like home away from home when you are trying to relax on vacation. I think the kids enjoy it for that reason as well.

By the way, the folks at KOA campgrounds really seem to have service and fun in mind. We've stayed a few, some that are much more out of our price range than we are used to, but the facilities and activities are great when that is what you are looking for. Our daughter made an awesome tie-dyed tee shirt for $5 and the look on her face was priceless.

 

[LarryJ]

When we stayed at a KOA over Labor Day weekend, we were escorted to our site by one of the campworkers in a golf cart who helped line me up so the truck and trailer would fit without either being in the road.

As I started to get things settled in, wheels chocked, utilities connected, etc. he hung out for a while and helped by shining a light, struck up a conversation, etc.

After he left, it dawned on me (I'm not necessarily the fastest draw in the west) - was he expecting a tip? I never really thought of camping as the sort of vacation where you end up tipping people like you would a bell hop or sky cap at the airport.

Do any of you tip someone who directs you to your site? I mean other than sharing a beer or twelve with Fort Fiends?

No never have and never will and in fact if I can't find my site and get my rig in there and find the utility hookups, I shouldn't be camping. In fact I sort of find it a little annoying to have someone hovering over me when I'm trying to set up. When they do look like they want to hang around I just say "THANK YOU" I can handle it from here.

Larry

 

[thegoofyfamily]

No never have and never will and in fact if I can't find my site and get my rig in there and find the utility hookups, I shouldn't be camping. In fact I sort of find it a little annoying to have someone hovering over me when I'm trying to set up. When they do look like they want to hang around I just say "THANK YOU" I can handle it from here.

Larry

Seriously??? Okay....I get the "no tipping" inference, but there are families out there that buy new campers everyday that aren't experienced campers, such as yourself. I find that most of the ones that want to be helpful are genuine in their intent.......and it goes back to the camping culture.

I'm sure you could come across some of the annoying sort, but we've met some amazing "helpful" people at campgrounds across the southeast US and have been blessed to meet each and every one of them. Since DH is very well experienced around a MH, we haven't had the need to know how to set up, but we would never blow someone off that was just trying to be friendly.

Sometimes people like that can teach us something more than the art of leveling a camper.

 

[BRDof3]

No never have and never will and in fact if I can't find my site and get my rig in there and find the utility hookups, I shouldn't be camping. In fact I sort of find it a little annoying to have someone hovering over me when I'm trying to set up. When they do look like they want to hang around I just say "THANK YOU" I can handle it from here.

Larry

We all sleep a little better each night knowing that such a supremely knowledgable person such as yourself has enlightened us as to our place in the world.

 

[LarryJ]

Seriously??? Okay....I get the "no tipping" inference, but there are families out there that buy new campers everyday that aren't experienced campers, such as yourself. I find that most of the ones that want to be helpful are genuine in their intent.......and it goes back to the camping culture.

I'm sure you could come across some of the annoying sort, but we've met some amazing "helpful" people at campgrounds across the southeast US and have been blessed to meet each and every one of them. Since DH is very well experienced around a MH, we haven't had the need to know how to set up, but we would never blow someone off that was just trying to be friendly.

Sometimes people like that can teach us something more than the art of leveling a camper.

You are IMO mixing apple and oranges ... the topic here is an employee of the CG helping you when you didn't ask for it and then hanging around for something else and not just a good neighbor helping out a fellow camper and I would never tip the former since what ever service they want to provide is included in the fee I pay to stay there when registering and the former I would simply thank them and be neighborly and not insult them by offering them money for their help. I hate these escorts than after the DW gets into the Van with the map clearly marked and we have to wait on the employee to come and "ESCORT" us to our campsite that sometimes we can already see from the check in area. It's a waste of my money and their time.

Your post is mostly about the people and not the employees of the CG and I do agree they are great, but do you offer all those people money after you talk to them even if they help some. I would feel insulted if you did that to me.

I guess maybe you and I are just different and there is nothing wrong or right about that.

Larry

 

[des1954]

A lot of times campgrounds have escorts to protect the park's assets. It is not their place to assume every person using their facility is an expert at parking their own rig. Most people can drive a rig forward with little or no problem. Backing is an entirely different story.

The campground host assures that the water & electric hook-up's don't get wiped out by someone who thinks they are the expert backer, but really aren't. (Insert "I really don't know what I'm doing but don't want anyone else to know that.") It also prevents the inevitable husband/wife screaming match you often see and hear when people are setting up. It makes for a more peaceful existence for everyone. Also - site number signs can be confusing. Is my site to the right or left of the sign? It's not always easy to distinguish. A site host/hostess will make sure you are in the right spot.

Years ago the Fort asked at check-in if you needed someone to help spot you into a site. You can still request that service. I saw "Mean Gene" come to the aid of many a camper. I've also seen people struggle for 30 minutes or more to back their rig into a site at the fort. Their level of frustration grows as the minutes pass, and the stress they experience has a direct effect on their ability to back into a space. We've learned over the years not to go offer help directly, but we have called the front desk and asked them to send someone to help. They usually have someone there in a few minutes.

Larry - you have years of experience under your belt, as do my DH & I. You seem to forget that at one time you too, were a novice. Maybe you picked up on the fine art of backing a trailer quicker than others. My husband had to back a lot of different equipment in the days when he was a telephone lineman, so he's very good at it. Whenever the situation seems appropriate, he offers his help. If we run into a situation where a campground offers a site host, we accept the offer graciously, knowing the CG owners don't know us from Adam, and would rather run the risk of "offending" our pride than having to replace their facilities.

 

[BRDof3]

and we have to wait on the employee to come and "ESCORT" us to our campsite that sometimes we can already see from the check in area. It's a waste of my money and their time.Larry

Considering the skill of some of the RV'ers I have escorted, that "waste" of your valuable time has protected the CG owner many, many times over.

Many of our guests are traveling through. They have never stayed here before, and they don't know the geography. Some of our RV sites require that you come in from the opposite direction of everyone else in the row, that's just how it was laid out. They don't know exactly where the water pipe is, nor the sewer, and they can't see it in the dark. If they don't spot their MH or TT just right they won't be able to reach the connections, or their slide will not be able to open. If there is a problem with the connection they will have to come hunt us down to report it.

I guess it just proves that we all have a long way to go to reach the pinnacle of life called Larry. Personally, I'll stick with the otters.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Rob, I don't know how you do it at the KOA. If I had to deal with the Larry's of the world everyday and this kind of attitude, I would get fired. I would definitely have to use my first, middle, and last snarky names!

I am very happy that the owners have this service. It protects them. It protects the campers. It protects the campers that are already there.