Wedding Etiquette Forum

Tipping interpreter?

My mom is deaf and I've found someone to interpret the ceremony and the speeches at the reception. I offered to feed the interpreter and her husband if they would like to stay after speeches. I don't know if they will stay or not, but should I tip her above what she is charging?

Re: Tipping interpreter?

  • FI and I are deaf and we are going to have 3 interpreters and I'm probably going to tip them. Since I know all of them personally and they are going to give us a " friends discount"- I would like to thank them by giving them extra $. 
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  • LoopysevenLoopyseven member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    edited January 2012
    It soundsl ike you hired her individually (and not through a service that will take part of the fee) so I would treat her like a self-employed vendor and say that tipping is not required (ETA - although nice if they do a good job, are professional, etc).  
    Typically people are sitting at tables and eating salad or something during the speeches, so would the interpreter and her husband be standing next to her table, or given seats at the table with her during that time?
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-interpreter?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:db55bb36-dee5-457e-ab87-5ff5609a7ae0Post:d950542c-1467-4d45-b5ec-d99fb7a56af5">Re: Tipping interpreter?</a>:
    [QUOTE]It soundsl ike you hired her individually (and not through a service that will take part of the fee) so I would treat her like a self-employed vendor and say that tipping is not required (ETA - although nice if they do a good job, are professional, etc).   <strong>Typically people are sitting at tables and eating salad or something during the speeches, so would the interpreter and her husband be standing next to her table, or given seats at the table with her during that time?
    Posted by Loopyseven[/QUOTE]

    </strong>Of course they will be given seats during the reception, but usually the interpreter
    stands kinda next to the person speaking so the deaf person can also see the person speaking and their facial expresions, etc. I don't care either way, whatever her and my mom prefer. Thanks for the advice ladies! sounds like a little extra would be appreciated.
  • Okay, I don't know what much about interpreting, so I wasn't sure how that end of it usually works.  I just thought it might be awkward if everyone around is eating they're not... but now that I think about it more, if she's signing, she won't be eating at the same time anyway... so never mind.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-interpreter?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:db55bb36-dee5-457e-ab87-5ff5609a7ae0Post:8a3432f9-d7cc-4631-bd89-da2d26aa3958">Re: Tipping interpreter?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Okay, I don't know what much about interpreting, so I wasn't sure how that end of it usually works.  I just thought it might be awkward if everyone around is eating they're not... but now that I think about it more, if she's signing, she won't be eating at the same time anyway... so never mind.
    Posted by Loopyseven[/QUOTE]


    :-)
  • You could also consider giving her a little gift instead of a cash tip.  But I'm sure she'd appreciate the money.
  • I'm way late to this, but I'm deaf and our ceremony was in ASL.  Our interpreters were good friends of ours, and initially refused to accept payment.  We ended up agreeing on paying them for their travel costs/hotel rooms (they traveled from DC to IN), and I snuck in a $100 tip when reimbursing them also.  Plus, I gave them gift cards as a gift at the RD.  

    That being said, if you don't know the interpreters personally and are hiring them through an agency, then I wouldn't tip.  If they are freelance/independent interpreters or family friends, then I probably would. 

    Mekiakoo, did you go to Gally?  Sorry, I know a lot of deaf people hate being asked that, but I don't come across other deaf people who sign often on here.  I went for grad school from 06-08. 


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