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I assume its still the done thing, my instructor seems a genuinely decent guy and pretty good banter as well. He's a diver so I thought bottle of Scapa whisky, but then figured he probably has a drinks cupboard groaning with whisky, does everyone just give a bottle of whisky?
I gave mine money for a few weeks while he taught me.
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Gift vouchers at Mr Clutch?
Do you tip your lbs staff?
NO...why these gimps then?
Haha, yeah yeah, but I got a pretty good deal and the guy's gone out of his way a couple of times (super early lessons, going over time etc).
Its been suggested that I just be sure to recommend him to others but at 29, I don't have many mates in need of an instructor!
When I had my driving lessons, I simply paid for the lessons I had. I thanked him, jobs a good un... 🙂
[url= http://www.britannia-driving-school.co.uk/giftVouchers.php ]gift vouchers?[/url]
I assume its still the done thing
You assume wrong dear fellow
Apparently so sofatester, and according to Grumpyf*cker_Al I probably shouldn't even like the guy, silly me! 8)
Oh well, thats £25 saved...
You got any more lessons with him? Ask him what he drinks, and buy him that 😉
TBF 13FM you'd not said he'd gone out of his way when I commented.
Seriously, would you buy lbs staff a bottle of whiskey for an equivalent spend with them? After say helpful stuff like swapping stuff on a new bike, extras in servicing, fitting of components free, some discounting?
Plenty lbs do this all the time...but often to get moaned about, it seems...for ~40-60% the earnings?
I think it'll be an excellent idea to buy a driving instructor some whisky, too few people show their gratitude these days and too many expect too much.
Do you tip your lbs staff?
Actually yes... jaffa's and home made cake... they look after us so its more than just a financial transaction...
What kind of stuff is he into? You must have had some banter while getting lessons.
If he is really into his cars could you get him a ticket(s) to something at Knockhill like touring cars or something.
My driving instructor was into golf so i got him a lesson with the local golf pro.
Passing your test first time would be a nice gesture, if you've not done so already. A full endorsement of his methods.
Do you tip your lbs staff?
Invited one lot round to a mad party, took cakes to the other lot.
Hand shandy?
A night with that welsh woman who couldn't drive...Maureen, that's the woman.
New cardigan?
A great gift is a written oath that you will always leave at least 2 seconds gap between you and the car in front, and always reverse into (not out of) drives and parking spaces. Oh, and seeing as this is STW, adding that you will always respect other road user regardless of their mode of transport (BMWs excluded of course).
I see no problem with giving the guy a wee gift. Jeez...the misery.
If you're in a LBS and you're not getting any appreciation from your customers, I'd suggest you up your game.
Do you tip your lbs staff?NO...why these gimps then?
Bit strong no? 😕
Far be it for me to say who is "in" and who is "out" when it comes to tipping for a job well done, but if the OP has had an enjoyable and successful experience, then why the hell not if he wants to?
One of my [i]"friends"[/i] (I'm saying no more) is a driving instructor, I can ask her if you like what she thinks is acceptable? Though judging by the fact she's in her 20's, blonde, has big enough airbags attached to her front not to need one in the steering wheel, and most of her students are 17yo testosterone fuelled boys, I expect she gets somewhat more lurid gifts than the average driving instructor does!
A card and a bottle of wine though, I'm sure that would be well received by just about anyone...
she's in her 20's, blonde, has big enough airbags attached to her front not to need one in the steering wheel,
Mine was overweight and in his late 40's, not fair 🙁
The smile on my face was enough of a gift.
One of my "friends" (I'm saying no more) is a driving instructor, I can ask her if you like what she thinks is acceptable? Though judging by the fact she's in her 20's, blonde, [b]has big enough airbags attached to her front not to need one in the steering wheel[/b]
You should try and get a job writing for the Sport.
Those who say "you've paid him so why give him a tip?" should be ashamed of their miserable selves. Here's a young guy who has just been taught one of the most valuable skills in life and is feeling grateful and generous in spirit towards his instructor. You should be applauding his generosity and wishing you had the same instincts. His decency will carry him right through life while your misery will sit above you like a cloud.
A bottle of Scotch would be fantastic but a decent bottle of wine or even fizzy can be shared with family and friends on a warm summer's night and might be a better public acknowledgement of the instructor's worth.
Fizzy wine does of course have a certain relevance to divers.....
My last student to buy me gifts ( motorcycle, not cars ) brought me some nice Italian beer. It's usually a box of celebrations or similar.
Yeah, a good bottle of wine to share I reckon. I've given one of the mechanics at my LBS a Ti spring that wasn't right for me as a means of saying thanks for going the extra mile and then some.
I think somebody has a budding man crush.
I suggest two tickets to the latest Vim Diesel film.
[b]Vim[/b] Diesel
I'm more of a Vigour Mortensen man myself.
I'm far too cool to know how to spell his name. At least I didn't namecheck Jeff Stryker (don't google that).
I was a DI - had my own school
Of all the gifts bestowed upon me the most valued after all these years are the thank you notes and cards.
Get a plain card and write something meaningful - try and avoid words like 'die' and 'rot in hell' they tend not to go down too well.
Flowers, booze, chocs all get forgotten once eaten. A nice cards have been kept and reminded me of my students. A photo might be nice as well although a bit creepy (of you not him!) - actually forget that.
If they're anything like my driving instructor, a gallon of cheap aftershave and a bulk box of car air fresheners would fit the bill perfectly.
More seriously, don't try to buy something diving related - first off, diving kit is even more of a rip off than bike kit and some divers are very picky about the kit they used so you could just get the wrong stuff. Booze to a budget of your choosing should fit the bill - if you want to say thanks then don't let a bunch of grumpy old men on the web stop you.
one of the most valuable skills in life
If driving is one of the most valuable skills i will ever learn in my life then i'd rather someone shot me now, and save me from the misery of my pathetic life 😀
A beaded seat cover?
Learning to drive has certainly been valuable to me! Most of the student and early life jobs I had were driving jobs and very enjoyable they were too; I got to drive trucks and vans and all kinds of cars and minibuses (as you could in those days) as well as a permanent job with Hertz where I could drive when I needed cash, and that was always Ghia Granadas, Capris and Cortinas. Driving got me a job at a school in the Alps all through the ski season and allowed me to ski every afternoon with the students.
I had nine lessons (£1.75 a lesson) with a really boring instructor but for my final tenth lesson he was off sick so the chief instructor took me out. I have also never forgotten that bloke; in one lesson he taught me more than the other bloke had in nine.
In fact the OP has got me thinking that when I retire in nine years it might be worth becoming a part-time driving instructor. I might get the odd decent pupil who appreciates me!
Get a plain card and write something meaningful - try and avoid words like 'die' and 'rot in hell' they tend not to go down too well.
😆
Wow, divided opinions, guess I'm lucky I got an instructor I liked (although neither blonde, nor 20 🙁 )
The
comment is a bit embarassing, don't think 29 is 'young' to be learning to drive.young guy
Think I'll just get him a four pack of decent ales, we had a long enough debate about wether Fraoch was brewed in Taynuilt or not that he must like ales a bit.
😯 I thought I was getting a good deal at £19 per hour...£1.75 a lesson
If driving is one of the most valuable skills i will ever learn in my life then i'd rather someone shot me now, and save me from the misery of my pathetic life
Do you want it quick and clean with a Sniper through the head, or bloody and messy with a shotgun up close? Should be just the tension release I need right now! 😀
I thought I was getting a good deal at £19 per hour...
That is a good deal right now, pretty sure my friend charges £24 an hour, and I'm not even sure she shows her breasticles off much for the extra fiver! 😉