$10/head is about the average for a tour. 15-20% for food and drink, 20% for private captain. Just guides, mind you.

generally you do not need to tip the cab drivers because they own their vehicles

you sure about that?

We would tip a cab driver if we were using them. I think that a little extra money (especially if they're nice) is just a generally good thing to do. If you're cab fare is say.....10.00....why not give them another 2 or 3 dollars.

Really don't mind tipping anybody for good service. We tip well and we don't regret it.

west: Come on, you cannot be serious in saying that you don't tip a taxi driver because he owns his or her own vehicle?

Hello, west, where you come from?

All taxi drivers here own their own vehicles, This is not metropolitan USA where Yellow Cab drivers are hired to drive those cabs.

They work under the auspice of the VI Taxi Association whose rates are posted both on line and in their cabs. They are simply not allowed to "gouge" and anyone who feels they've been gouged by a taxi driver in the Virgin Islands has recourse through the VI Taxi Association.

Lordy Lordy, SUCH misinformation anf nonsense! Cheer and goodnight!

I can say from personal experience of owning a business that sometimes when a person "owns" his or her business they are not the only partners in the business. That said, I think a particular person giving you a service deserves a little extra tip if they are delivering excellent service. After all, it was that one particular person who serviced you not everyone that owns the business. Tipping is an opportunity to express your gratefulness for services at a level you were pleased with and also at a level above what you expected regardless of the ownership and the % should reflect that variance.

-Josh

been here 14 years and have been told after i asked by more than 1 driver that i've gotten to know over the years that tipping is not neccessary,maybe it's different for the tourists

i worked at a family owned restaurant for 3 years here and i was expected to tip the owners at the end of my shift and then pay the 3% on my credit card tips, so please don't talk to me about shared ownership

Tipping is a touchy subject, I am sorry to say! There is a lengthy discussion on it that took place, guessing about a year ago. Try a search, extending the time length of the search!
Won't put my 2 cents in this time (or at least I'll TRY to refrain)! 🙂

Man west, I would have stayed at that restaurant for exactly 1 shift!!

West, I agree with Captain John. That is TOO bizarre and I've never heard of anything like that. I don't think my bartender would take too kindly to such a practice ad I don't know of any who would. Guess you learn something new every day!

I have been in the restaurant business since I was 10, with a family owned restaurant. I have since waited tables and then managed and now own a small restaurant. I am not sure of the location of the restaurant that you worked, West, but in my state, that would be more than illegal. My state tells me the min. wage for a server that is receiving gratuities. I require them to report their tips each week so that they can be taxed on them.

I have never in my 30+ years in the business heard of anything like that and if it were stateside, you would probablt be in your rights to take the issue to the state labor board.

well the owners figured that since they were helping with the bussing and the bartending they should get 10 percent of anything i made over a 100 bucks, i am fine with that on some level i guess what i am not fine with is having to pay the 3 percent on my credit cards tips, i guess if you're in any business that accepts credit cards it's just the cost of doing business, why penalize wait and barstaff because you made the decision to take CC's, lol we'd actually prefer cash, i've worked a few places down here where i got payed cash under the table, the same in Mpls, so no payroll deductions, that stuff happens in a good majority of the mom and pop places here, they'll have a few on payroll and a few under the table

So, if I get tipped and it was paid thru the company I work for by CC, the company should not take the small percentage that they get charged?

I know of a taxi driver that does not own his taxi. He rents both the taxi and the plates form somebody else he pays weekly. You tip if service is up to par, not even thinking they own it or not. It's your prerogative.
I own my business and get tips occasionally. I used to refuse them, but it always turned out to be an embarrassing situation as I insulted my guest , so I now accept them. Miss Manners says not to tip the owner, but Miss Manners didn't have WAPA either!!

RL

i think the original intent of taxi medallions was to provide a living for the owner of the medallion which is a good thing, it's when they get greedy and rent or lease out their medallions so their cab is on the road for 20 hours a day causing congestion along with all the gypsy cabs,city buses,water/garbage trucks and every other vehicle trying to get from point a to b that it turns into a bad thing.

The ones that are leased are from drivers who have typically retired. I don't know of any that have them leased out to numerous people to keep them on the street 20 hrs a day.

RL

I agree with Ron. I know a lady who owns a limo company and she leases out her Taxi van and medallion to only ONE person.

The rule for tipping on food and drink is simple: 20% is the minimum. Less than that is considered cheap. For really good service, I often tip 25%. I've tipped upwards of 40% before.

I know some will think that's way too high, but islands are small, and word gets around. When you tip well, you WILL be remembered, and good things will happen for you on future visits.