Tipping Spanish school teachers?
Apr 21st, 2007, 06:25 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tipping Spanish school teachers?
This should get some comments. Question is: should you tip your teacher after finishing an immersion program in a Spanish Language school in Latin America?
A friend is in CA right now and is anxious to hear some comments because she is wondering.
I have been to several schools. Some have been 1 on 1 and others have been group classes often with the teachers changing throughout the day. Certainly with the group classes and teachers changing through the day I have never seen a student give a tip or heard any discussion about it even though I gave my teacher my National Geographic map on my last day of school in Costa Rica because she was so enamored by the quality of it and she seemed genuinly appreciative of it. I did not in any way consider it a tip. It was just because she seemed to like it and thought it was the best map she had ever seen of her country plus I had another of the same map.
In a couple of 1 on 1 schools I have heard the subject mentioned(albeit rarely) and have seen a few comments about it on some website. For me personally, at 2 of the 1 on 1 schools I have given my teacher a verrry little insignificant gift but never money. And that was because at one it was just more of a souvenier from my city and the other had done some extra work for me on some flash cards. But, I know many students who have never given anything nor have they even thought about it. Had the teacher not done the extra work for me at home I probably wouldn't have given her anything simply because it seems strange to tip a teacher.
I met a student at a school in Guatemala whose teacher had asked her if she was going to tip her after she finished two weeks of 1 on 1 with the same teacher. The student told me she had already given her teacher a couple of nice little gifts thoughout the 2 weeks and was "very offended" by the suggestion from the teacher and ultimately complained to the school about it.
So, what say you ardent travlers and students of the language? yes or no?
I will post this in General Interest, CR, Guat. and Mex. Hope that is the right thing to do.
A friend is in CA right now and is anxious to hear some comments because she is wondering.
I have been to several schools. Some have been 1 on 1 and others have been group classes often with the teachers changing throughout the day. Certainly with the group classes and teachers changing through the day I have never seen a student give a tip or heard any discussion about it even though I gave my teacher my National Geographic map on my last day of school in Costa Rica because she was so enamored by the quality of it and she seemed genuinly appreciative of it. I did not in any way consider it a tip. It was just because she seemed to like it and thought it was the best map she had ever seen of her country plus I had another of the same map.
In a couple of 1 on 1 schools I have heard the subject mentioned(albeit rarely) and have seen a few comments about it on some website. For me personally, at 2 of the 1 on 1 schools I have given my teacher a verrry little insignificant gift but never money. And that was because at one it was just more of a souvenier from my city and the other had done some extra work for me on some flash cards. But, I know many students who have never given anything nor have they even thought about it. Had the teacher not done the extra work for me at home I probably wouldn't have given her anything simply because it seems strange to tip a teacher.
I met a student at a school in Guatemala whose teacher had asked her if she was going to tip her after she finished two weeks of 1 on 1 with the same teacher. The student told me she had already given her teacher a couple of nice little gifts thoughout the 2 weeks and was "very offended" by the suggestion from the teacher and ultimately complained to the school about it.
So, what say you ardent travlers and students of the language? yes or no?
I will post this in General Interest, CR, Guat. and Mex. Hope that is the right thing to do.
Apr 21st, 2007, 07:35 PM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, do not tip the teachers at the Spanish school, for heaven's sake! North Americans are a tip-crazy culture (although many North Americans resent the tip they feel obligated to leave). Tipping is alien to many places, including Costa Rica. In fact, some ticos get quite angry when gringos tip. They claim it results in the locals receiving bad service. When tipping is appropriate in Costa Rica, it is included in the bill (such as in restaurants).
Yeah, yeah, I know. It is soooo difficult not being the great American hero who comes into the poor third world and saves the day by bestowing gifts on the "natives," but come on, do not try to inflict your values on someone else's culture.
Do not tip in Costa Rica. (Of course, in tourist locations, tipping has become the norm, so now it is expected. Hey, tourists, do you feel good about that?)
Yeah, yeah, I know. It is soooo difficult not being the great American hero who comes into the poor third world and saves the day by bestowing gifts on the "natives," but come on, do not try to inflict your values on someone else's culture.
Do not tip in Costa Rica. (Of course, in tourist locations, tipping has become the norm, so now it is expected. Hey, tourists, do you feel good about that?)
Apr 21st, 2007, 08:17 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
nonstop--seems to be a small, thoughtful gift would be more appropriate. I didn't do anything when I studied 4 years ago, but might take something for this summer when I study again.
Raderbarbarian, I tend to agree that we are, indeed, a tip happy culture. And I can for sure tell a difference in what is expected in Costa Rica between our first trip back in 2001 and now.
Tipping is an interesting thing because, as we would all agree, it is quite appropriate for service above and beyond, at least here in our country. Seems to me it should always be out of that type of experience or feeling, rather than standard, regardless of service quality. And I, too, resent anyone who expects a tip for every single thing. It bugs me when I see a "tip cup" in some places here in the states. I don't particularly feel that I need to tip someone to run a cash register and simply take my order and call my name to pick up the food.
On the other hand, 2 of our children worked for years as restaurant servers and they made next to nothing per hour. They were always grateful for those who tipped well (I'm speaking of the 20% range, not so much of the overtipping which sometimes occurred--although they liked that as well!).
In Costa Rica, it has always made sense to me to leave a dollar or two for whomever cleans our room; about $5 per person for a good tour guide; and sometimes an extra $1 or $2 for excellent restaurant service (on top of the 10% added to the check). It does bother me that there are those who go to places like Costa Rica and use the American standard. I don't think that is in anyone's best interest.
Tipping, while it is meant to be a good and positive thing, can and does have a negative effect in some ways. Whatever happened to the idea that it is good to "do for" people sometimes without expecting anything in return? Sure hate for us to lose that way of thinking entirely. Sure hate for our kids to grow up thinking they need to get some type of monetary or other extrinsic reward for every little thing. We already have an entire group of kids out there who think they should be rewarded for good behavior. And with school work, they want to guarantee the pay-off ahead of time before putting out any effort. We've created that, and I think our approach to tipping can create similar negative ways of thinking and expecting.
My 2 cents turned into my 85 cents. Sorry about that.
No, nonstop, I won't give a monetary tip to teachers. I have, however, given a monetary extra to my homestay. This past December, they celebrated 50 years of marriage, and we gave them a card with $50 one dollar bills. But when we stay with them, she does a lot more for me (and has for our daughter) than she is required to do and we have become very close friends. Anything I take to that family is always out of appreciation for a long history of kindness and helpfulness in a jillion ways. So that, to me, seems a little different.
Raderbarbarian, I tend to agree that we are, indeed, a tip happy culture. And I can for sure tell a difference in what is expected in Costa Rica between our first trip back in 2001 and now.
Tipping is an interesting thing because, as we would all agree, it is quite appropriate for service above and beyond, at least here in our country. Seems to me it should always be out of that type of experience or feeling, rather than standard, regardless of service quality. And I, too, resent anyone who expects a tip for every single thing. It bugs me when I see a "tip cup" in some places here in the states. I don't particularly feel that I need to tip someone to run a cash register and simply take my order and call my name to pick up the food.
On the other hand, 2 of our children worked for years as restaurant servers and they made next to nothing per hour. They were always grateful for those who tipped well (I'm speaking of the 20% range, not so much of the overtipping which sometimes occurred--although they liked that as well!).
In Costa Rica, it has always made sense to me to leave a dollar or two for whomever cleans our room; about $5 per person for a good tour guide; and sometimes an extra $1 or $2 for excellent restaurant service (on top of the 10% added to the check). It does bother me that there are those who go to places like Costa Rica and use the American standard. I don't think that is in anyone's best interest.
Tipping, while it is meant to be a good and positive thing, can and does have a negative effect in some ways. Whatever happened to the idea that it is good to "do for" people sometimes without expecting anything in return? Sure hate for us to lose that way of thinking entirely. Sure hate for our kids to grow up thinking they need to get some type of monetary or other extrinsic reward for every little thing. We already have an entire group of kids out there who think they should be rewarded for good behavior. And with school work, they want to guarantee the pay-off ahead of time before putting out any effort. We've created that, and I think our approach to tipping can create similar negative ways of thinking and expecting.
My 2 cents turned into my 85 cents. Sorry about that.
No, nonstop, I won't give a monetary tip to teachers. I have, however, given a monetary extra to my homestay. This past December, they celebrated 50 years of marriage, and we gave them a card with $50 one dollar bills. But when we stay with them, she does a lot more for me (and has for our daughter) than she is required to do and we have become very close friends. Anything I take to that family is always out of appreciation for a long history of kindness and helpfulness in a jillion ways. So that, to me, seems a little different.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 04:50 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can only speak to schools in Mexico which I have attended many times. I have never seen or heard of anyone tipping. At the school I am most familiar with in Oaxaca the teachers are being paid very well in comparison with the local wages although this may not be the norm. I like the gift idea above.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 05:47 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dude: I was hoping you would come on with comments about the Mexico schools. I have attended 2 schools in Mex. and never heard the tipping of teachers brought up there by anyone-Quite a few are group classes so that in itself keeps most people from even thinking about it. I have heard it more about Guatemala schools because some people say teachers are not paid well there and they all tend to be 1 on 1 schools.
A lot of students I have come across are in school on tight budgets themselves, sometimes just backpacking around the world.
When I was at a school in Oaxaca the teacher was curious about a new kind of highlighter I was using. She had never seen that type. I had 2 or 3 with me and just gave her one on the spot. It was spontaneous. I never thought anything about it. It was probably worth about $2. She seemed to appreciate it but never was there any indication it was a gift for her teaching services. If she had just been one of the other students in the class I probably would have done the same thing.
In that same school, I also had 1 on 1 instruction for a couple of hours in the p.m. and I never had the impression the teacher would have expected a tip nor would I have thought that was appropriate.
In my CR experience, if I had tried to give the teacher money rather than giving her my map (that I was finished with) I think she would have been insulted because she was so professional and seemed to be a well paid person. BTW, that was a group class also.
Hope to hear more comments about this.
A lot of students I have come across are in school on tight budgets themselves, sometimes just backpacking around the world.
When I was at a school in Oaxaca the teacher was curious about a new kind of highlighter I was using. She had never seen that type. I had 2 or 3 with me and just gave her one on the spot. It was spontaneous. I never thought anything about it. It was probably worth about $2. She seemed to appreciate it but never was there any indication it was a gift for her teaching services. If she had just been one of the other students in the class I probably would have done the same thing.
In that same school, I also had 1 on 1 instruction for a couple of hours in the p.m. and I never had the impression the teacher would have expected a tip nor would I have thought that was appropriate.
In my CR experience, if I had tried to give the teacher money rather than giving her my map (that I was finished with) I think she would have been insulted because she was so professional and seemed to be a well paid person. BTW, that was a group class also.
Hope to hear more comments about this.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 08:31 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are countries and many schools and you have to look at each one and weigh the circumstances.
My experiences are with Guatemala and Argentina.
In Antigua Guatemala, you pay about $100.00 for a weeks classes. You get 5 or six hours a day of one on one. Language schools are a cottage industry there so the school itself needs to make money. Considering all the schools have administrators and run buildings and usually even give you coffee in the morning, how much of the money actually ends up with the teacher? Teachers are very poorly paid. Yes its nice to bring some sort of gift. If you bring something from your country, since you don't know anything about your teacher before you get there, you pretty much would bring something pretty generic. So how many T shirts or mugs, boxes of chocolate, or picture books of Canada does a person who is eking out a living need? A tip at the end of the course would definitely be appreciated and in order. If you don't like to consider it a tip, consider it a gift either in lieu of or to supplement that coffee mug or baseball cap you were going to bring.
In Argentina, the school I attended was a government school with large classes. The teachers were actually government employees. They were probably union members and relatively well paid (I say relatively because by our standards, we would not consider it so...) In this case I would not consider a monetary tip appropriate. And even in the private schools, you pay about US$8.00 or even more an hour. Teachers will have several students at a time and give several hours of classes a day. They probably won't end up too badly (again relative) paid. And the culture is probably one where they might consider the though of a tip a bit insulting. If you "bonded" with your teacher, you might want to take them out for dinner or something.
Just my opinion..
raquel
My experiences are with Guatemala and Argentina.
In Antigua Guatemala, you pay about $100.00 for a weeks classes. You get 5 or six hours a day of one on one. Language schools are a cottage industry there so the school itself needs to make money. Considering all the schools have administrators and run buildings and usually even give you coffee in the morning, how much of the money actually ends up with the teacher? Teachers are very poorly paid. Yes its nice to bring some sort of gift. If you bring something from your country, since you don't know anything about your teacher before you get there, you pretty much would bring something pretty generic. So how many T shirts or mugs, boxes of chocolate, or picture books of Canada does a person who is eking out a living need? A tip at the end of the course would definitely be appreciated and in order. If you don't like to consider it a tip, consider it a gift either in lieu of or to supplement that coffee mug or baseball cap you were going to bring.
In Argentina, the school I attended was a government school with large classes. The teachers were actually government employees. They were probably union members and relatively well paid (I say relatively because by our standards, we would not consider it so...) In this case I would not consider a monetary tip appropriate. And even in the private schools, you pay about US$8.00 or even more an hour. Teachers will have several students at a time and give several hours of classes a day. They probably won't end up too badly (again relative) paid. And the culture is probably one where they might consider the though of a tip a bit insulting. If you "bonded" with your teacher, you might want to take them out for dinner or something.
Just my opinion..
raquel
Apr 23rd, 2007, 04:19 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting responses. I do believe we have become "tip crazy", myself included at times. I know when I was in Cuernavaca the school told us not to tip the taxis and to make sure we bargained on the fare because it ruined it for the locals. But I have tipped taxis anyway as well as tip a school driver who picks me up at the airport. As "tip crazed" person it is hard to get out of a cab and not tip. However, with a teacher, I have a hard time with the tip process.
Granted I am looking at it from a different perspective(the U.S.) but something doesn't feel right about tipping the teacher.
Never in any of the advance info I have received prior to attending a school have they mentioned tipping a teacher. Nor have I ever seen it mentioned in a book. But it would be interesting to know how the teachers feel about it. In a society that is not known for tipping much it would surprise me if they expect to be tipped.
If I tipped in money how would I be able to get rid of all those picture books of Canada I have?
Hmm....is this what they call the "Tipping Point"?
Granted I am looking at it from a different perspective(the U.S.) but something doesn't feel right about tipping the teacher.
Never in any of the advance info I have received prior to attending a school have they mentioned tipping a teacher. Nor have I ever seen it mentioned in a book. But it would be interesting to know how the teachers feel about it. In a society that is not known for tipping much it would surprise me if they expect to be tipped.
If I tipped in money how would I be able to get rid of all those picture books of Canada I have?
Hmm....is this what they call the "Tipping Point"?
Apr 23rd, 2007, 05:31 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Must be. . .LOL! Send me one of those picture books--I'll take one off your hands! 
Raquel makes a good point that perhaps much depends on the school, the country, and the teacher. Overall, it doesn't seem right, but I can see that in some situations it might be, at the very least, thoughtful.
Raquel makes a good point that perhaps much depends on the school, the country, and the teacher. Overall, it doesn't seem right, but I can see that in some situations it might be, at the very least, thoughtful.
Apr 25th, 2007, 06:59 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I brought gifts for my homestays but didn't tip the teachers or even give them gifts. It wasn't even considered or brought up thank goodness.
One of my teachers made handmade books and sold them at a local womens coop. I did go buy one of them.
One of my teachers made handmade books and sold them at a local womens coop. I did go buy one of them.
Apr 25th, 2007, 06:39 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have always brought a small gift to my homestays as most of the schools suggest that is an ok thing to do. I have given a couple of boxes of Chocolates (Godiva's) but not everyone likes chocolate so I probably won't take any more of those.
My last trip I took some of the new gold U.S. Dollar coins and gave 1 to my hostess and her son and daughter-in-law and told them they were just issued in the U.S. I also gave one to my teacher as a little gift after she showed me her collection of coins and bills from other students. They seemed to be intrigued with the new coins. One of the stores didn't want it, prefering a dollar bill instead.
Giving gifts that are repeat of a 100 other students before you is a challenge. I have never taken a family out to dinner. I never had the feeling any of them wanted to go.
We still haven't solved the teacher problem but at least an interesting subject.
My last trip I took some of the new gold U.S. Dollar coins and gave 1 to my hostess and her son and daughter-in-law and told them they were just issued in the U.S. I also gave one to my teacher as a little gift after she showed me her collection of coins and bills from other students. They seemed to be intrigued with the new coins. One of the stores didn't want it, prefering a dollar bill instead.
Giving gifts that are repeat of a 100 other students before you is a challenge. I have never taken a family out to dinner. I never had the feeling any of them wanted to go.
We still haven't solved the teacher problem but at least an interesting subject.
Apr 25th, 2007, 07:09 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It IS an interesting subject. And gifts are always a bit of a challenge. I'm taking some special teas to my homestay this summer because my hostess loves iced tea and it is expensive in CR. She seldom buys it. They don't seem to interested in going out to eat, either, but I plan to do more cooking this time since I won't be opting for the afternoon classes. My daughter took all the kids out for ice cream and to the movie at Real Cariari a couple of years ago and that was a big hit.
On a reverse note, my homestay always gives me a gift as well. I have a Costa Rican clock that I am very fond of, a coffee mug (because they know I love the stuff), a little knick knack with a feathered bird on it, etc. My favorite gift of all time has been some Costa Rican money that isn't in circulation anymore. I've always intended to have it framed and will one of these days. I especially like the brand new, unused 5 colones bill with the art on it that matches the painting inside the Teatro Nacional--coffee harvest. Our exchanges are always fun and heartwarming!
On a reverse note, my homestay always gives me a gift as well. I have a Costa Rican clock that I am very fond of, a coffee mug (because they know I love the stuff), a little knick knack with a feathered bird on it, etc. My favorite gift of all time has been some Costa Rican money that isn't in circulation anymore. I've always intended to have it framed and will one of these days. I especially like the brand new, unused 5 colones bill with the art on it that matches the painting inside the Teatro Nacional--coffee harvest. Our exchanges are always fun and heartwarming!
Apr 26th, 2007, 06:39 PM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Costa Rican family gave me a really nice piece of pottery when I left so it must be big with them. Shillmac you must stay with the same family all the time so you know their likes and dislikes and they know yours.
Staying with different families in different countries all the time present a big challenge because I never really know them in advance. When in CR I bought some fruit at the market one day and gave my CR mother some beautiful flowers and she seemed to really like them.
All of the other gifts I have given in other countries seemed to have been met with more indifference. It's just really difficult.
I am going to have put my thinking cap on and figure out some really neat for my next homestay. Wish I knew what.I am open for ideas. I may be back to the new dollar coins again. They are fool proof.
Staying with different families in different countries all the time present a big challenge because I never really know them in advance. When in CR I bought some fruit at the market one day and gave my CR mother some beautiful flowers and she seemed to really like them.
All of the other gifts I have given in other countries seemed to have been met with more indifference. It's just really difficult.
I am going to have put my thinking cap on and figure out some really neat for my next homestay. Wish I knew what.I am open for ideas. I may be back to the new dollar coins again. They are fool proof.
Apr 26th, 2007, 06:52 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what about this idea as a family gift: many families don't speak English. Maybe a phrase book written for native Spanish speakers to help understand some English from some of their guests?
May 2nd, 2007, 03:33 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok, I bought 3 books to give to my homestay family:
1. 1001 Palabras inglesas, mas utiles para hispanohablantes,
2. Barrons Ingles para Latinos-Barrons
3. 101 American customs
If they have many Americans stay with them they might appreciate having a reference source. Probably beats the Picture books on Canada. I'll let you know how they like them.
1. 1001 Palabras inglesas, mas utiles para hispanohablantes,
2. Barrons Ingles para Latinos-Barrons
3. 101 American customs
If they have many Americans stay with them they might appreciate having a reference source. Probably beats the Picture books on Canada. I'll let you know how they like them.
May 14th, 2007, 03:54 PM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok, here is what I did:
Just returned from Granada, Nicaragua where I took 3 instructional English books for Latino speakers. I was going to give them to my family but they were pretty well off and probably could have bought a bookstore if they wanted. Instead, I gave them to my Spanish teacher in Granada who is getting ready to start her own Spanish school with some limited English classes. She was such a jewel which included taking it on herself to rescue us at the Managua airport because Cocibolca school (where we were enrolled) had closed unbeknownst to us. She and another teacher took us under her wing for a week, gave us our one on one Spanish lessons as if we were in the school, plus took us on tours every afternoon after class for the entire afternoon and did not charge us any extra. She even tried to pay for a couple of cab fares for us. She was a single mother raising her daughter and her niece. She an another teacher unselfishly gave of themselves (there were 2 of us). At the end of the week, I gave her a little extra to help get her closer to getting her Spanish school off the ground. She was very reluctant to take it but under the circumstances and the sacrifices she had made for us I felt it was the thing to do. BTW, I have never tipped one of my teachers before and I am not sure I would again. In this case it seemed the thing to do. I also gave the little shoe shine boy in the park, who everyday cleaned my sneakers, my Spanish/English dictionary when I left because he was trying to learn English. Giving of the books was a big hit.
Just returned from Granada, Nicaragua where I took 3 instructional English books for Latino speakers. I was going to give them to my family but they were pretty well off and probably could have bought a bookstore if they wanted. Instead, I gave them to my Spanish teacher in Granada who is getting ready to start her own Spanish school with some limited English classes. She was such a jewel which included taking it on herself to rescue us at the Managua airport because Cocibolca school (where we were enrolled) had closed unbeknownst to us. She and another teacher took us under her wing for a week, gave us our one on one Spanish lessons as if we were in the school, plus took us on tours every afternoon after class for the entire afternoon and did not charge us any extra. She even tried to pay for a couple of cab fares for us. She was a single mother raising her daughter and her niece. She an another teacher unselfishly gave of themselves (there were 2 of us). At the end of the week, I gave her a little extra to help get her closer to getting her Spanish school off the ground. She was very reluctant to take it but under the circumstances and the sacrifices she had made for us I felt it was the thing to do. BTW, I have never tipped one of my teachers before and I am not sure I would again. In this case it seemed the thing to do. I also gave the little shoe shine boy in the park, who everyday cleaned my sneakers, my Spanish/English dictionary when I left because he was trying to learn English. Giving of the books was a big hit.
May 14th, 2007, 06:25 PM
#20
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi nonstop. Have you been enjoying the AC since you've been home?
Again---you did exactly the right thing under the circumstances. You're a great ambassador for this country in Latin America. I'm sure that little boy and those 2 schoolteachers will NEVER forget you. It was perfect.
Again---you did exactly the right thing under the circumstances. You're a great ambassador for this country in Latin America. I'm sure that little boy and those 2 schoolteachers will NEVER forget you. It was perfect.
