How much do you tip class instructors?

When you attend an in-world class, how much (if anything) do you tip the class instructor?

I generally tip between 150 and 250 Lindens depending on how good the teacher was. I have been known to go as high as 500 for very high level classes with an excellent instructor, but there are very few of those.

Am I too low? too high?

Just wondering.

For some people, L$250 is a ton of money! For others, it's just pocket change..

This sorta question has come up before around stuff like what to tip DJs or dancers or bartenders or whatever.. I think the best idea is just to tip them whatever amount makes you feel comfortable.

If L$20 is hard for you to come by - and we know it is for lots of people with NPOF - but if you think that would make a good tip, that's the right amount for you to give.

Usually 50-100, depending on the class.

usually $100 but now I feel cheap

I'd say a base of 100L.. But of course that will vary depending on the instructor.. Did you learn anything? where they good at instruction.. Etc. I don't think there is a base like the 20% in a RL Resturant.

Just like any other service. Tip what you can afford.

Generally, 100L. It's really a thank you, more than anything else.

That said, if you're new with all of 400L to your name, no one expects you to bankrupt yourself. Just thank them, and when you are Rich and Prosperous, remember those who helped you out when you started and donate some of your own time to helping the new.

I've taught in world and the amount of tippage varies greatly. I've been tipped (and appreciated every single $L very much) as little as $10L on up to $500L.

Generally I tip around $100L on up to $250L depending on the difficulty of the build and how well and clearly an instructor presents the class. But that's me and I have a few $L to play with where others might only have a few. I remember having $500L at one time and thinking I was rich!

Two dollars!!

TWO DOLLARS!!!!

Sorry. Saw Better Off Dead this weekend..

Being in a teaching position myself, I personally say there is no rule or amount. More often than not, people taking lessons in SL have a creative goal in mind and may not be the most well funded residents just yet. (^_^)

When I was taking classes way-back-when, I was barely able to afford an upload a week at times and was scavenging events for contests and prize winning events to enter in order to have something to spend at all. So, tipping teachers wasn't an option for me. As a teacher now, I feel I must fully respect that position, do my best to educate anyone who wants to learn, and not look a gift-horse in the mouth if it comes or not. (^_^)

You also should take into account inworld teachers can be either paid or completely volunteer. So, while tips are appreciated, they're by no means expected by everyone. Also, while some cultures have expectations and 'norms' for tips, gratuity, and donations, others do not. And, with SL being a global community, both the teacher and the student should be aware of this and simply act on what they themselves think is best. (^_^)y

Please don't feel cheap. When I started taking classes, around 50L was all I could afford to tip. While I am not SL rich now, I am SL successful, so when I take a class, I like to pass some of my success along to the teacher.

From reading the other responses, $100 seems to be about the average. And I certainly would not want to discourage people from taking classes who cannot afford even one Linden for the class. They will never get out of poverty without an education.

I wish I had kept a record of all the classes I took during my first year in SL. I could then go and thank those teachers personally. But I did not. So, if you have ever had me in one of your classes, thank you very much. You are greatly appreciated.

My usual tip to instructors is L$50-100. It kind of depends on whether I'm broke or flush.

I don't take as many classes lately as I once did, and there don't seem to be as many advertised (I probably need to join the groups rather than rely on the event listings) but I do still enjoy getting out and trying a new build now & then.

I would love you in one of my classes



My answer is almost identical to MoxZ. I've taught at an in world school where I did get an hourly stipend but since that school closed and I am teaching freelance I get tips...or I don't.

When I take classes, my average tip is 100L and I have gone as high as 500L, depending on if what I learned will be especially helpful to me and (this is HUGE with me) how the instructor conducted the class. I've been to some classes that are little more than a party of friends with an "instructor" of sorts - lots of hooing and wooting going on, "in jokes", etc. Having been an adjunct prof. RL, I tend toward a more professional approach, but still try to make sure my students have fun.

As an instructor, again, tips have been all across the board - but it all evens out. I enjoy teaching and get the greatest joy when I get an IM from a student telling me they are already using what they learned in my class and how it is helping them. That is the best "tip" I get.

My answer to the OP would be: Tip what is within your budget based on what you got out of the class. And instructors know newbies don't have much, if any, lindens yet.

A lot of times I don't have it to spare. Sometimes all I got is 20L
I have X amount for certain things.
It gets to point I actually I avoid going to classes and events because
I know I am going to have to tip or feel bad if I don't.
If I go to X amount events and pay 100L or more for each event,
sometimes twice once for performer or teacher, another time for place that host
the event I literally don't have money for anything else.
If I go to two events pay 200L per event my stipend is gone, then I am having
to go into tier and other funds to get the L$.
Is anyone else in this situation?

Being the Guru that I am I tend to offer instructors lots of tips.....on how to improve their teachings. <insert short drumroll>

Gee there is few place I wish I could send you took the classes and
I didn't learn how to do what was being taught and teacher was I don't know
why that door script isn't working for you after I did exactly everything she said.
It is amazing for me how many classes out of few that I have attend that are like that.

If the class is designed to be fun and everyone is in on the fun, I am fine with this. If not, I just stand up and go home. At some point, my time is too precious to waste.

Tip what you feel is deserved.

As a current teacher, I don't expect students to tip me. Some tip me with $L and some tip with a "great class" and I deeply appreciate either one. Most instructors in SL aren't paid a stipend or "salary" from their school or even get sponsors. I teach because I want to spread knowledge and make a class fun.

So when you are trying to decide how much to pay the tip jar, think of how you decide to tip a waitress or even a bellhop.... Did they make your learning experience enjoyable? Did you come out of the class with more knowledge then when you went in?

Don't put yourself into a mind-frame of "I have to tip big no matter what" If the instructor deserves a huge tip and you can afford it then go ahead if you feel like it. I've tipped $20L to instructors that I felt were "meh" and more towards instructors that made me go "whoa!! I never knew I could do that before!"

The tip for this type of instructor is easy to calculate. zip, zilch, zero, nada.

Yep, I spend allot of time doing after sales support, fixing prefabs that customers have "modified" (ruined). Some of them claim to have had classes at reputable schools but still seem to be missing some of the fundamental basics. This past weekend I went to help out someone who listed themselves as a teacher in their profile, specifically teaching furniture building for a school I recognised. She didnt know how to edit a texture on a single surface and didnt realise you could cut prims to 0.001, she only thought you could cut in blocks of 0.050 i.e. using the arrows. I was flabergasted.

Im sure she was an isolated case, i know some of the best creators around are teaching and I am sure that the majority of people who teach know the subject matter. However just because you know the subject doesnt mean you can teach it. I mentor people 1 on 1 over many months but I would never assume that i could teach a group of people in a class environment just because I know how to build.

I put myself in this class. I can build like crazy (I have the Oldbie Blitz Build wins to prove it,) and I'm an expert at making poses, but when it comes to teaching, I just don't have enough patience.

Truthfully I have been to numerous classes well numerous to me about 12
and half or more I couldn't follow or keep up with even with the instructions even when reviewing the note cards even with exact do such do such taper here.
Scripting ones were even harder to follow.
The good ones that try though always include note cards of all the steps.
It isn't that I have built anything it is communication thing.
Often they even told my alt from 2003 I need beginners course and often
say its because I don't know what I am doing thus blaming me for not
being able to follow the class.
I get more help and don't need to tip when it is with friends helping me or experimenting myself personally.
I had friends say I should teach but I am not teacher, I am doer.

I would not always blame the teacher

for some folks, this building or clothing making or scripting, or etc, just doesn't make sense

doesn't mean the teacher is not teaching

now if everyone in the class are walking away shaking their virtual head and got nothing from the class then yes I would say that it is the teacher

maybe you are one of those types of folks who learn better in 1 to 1 instructions, than the class style instructions.

q

I'd try to find out what the school pays their teachers--if anything. It really depends; some places pay very little to their teachers--or nothing at all. Others pay more. But even at the top end, teachers are still making less than minimum wage in RL terms.

That said, NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL THEY MUST TIP AT A NCI CLASS. Our classes and events are free and open to everyone--whether you have 5L$ or 500,000L$. NCI's teachers receive an honorarium of 500L$ per class hour taught. So if you want to tip, that's cool. If you don't, that's also cool.