Holiday Gifts/Tips for Service People

[peggyfromwastate]

I thought mailmen weren't supposed to get tips since its a government job? Shrug? I don't know. E haven't ever tipped him, and he does a good job.

[weeniegeniewife]

Maybe not monetary gifts, but I think baked goods are ok. Ours has always appreciated the treats.

[peggyfromwastate]

Maybe some truffle brownies from the TJs box mix are in order for our mailman then. He really does a good job.

I am annoyed by the paper person too with the envelop and poem about delivering the paper in all weather, etc. I have had to call for a re-delivery several times last year bc we didn't get it, and sometimes it's all soaked through and you can't read it. Plus the post keeps jacking up the cost of home delivery-- there's the tip I guess.

[Deebs]

Just wanted to clarify that I don't really consider teachers "service people" but I kind of lumped the tips/gifts for non-family, non-close friends all in one.

[HeyMeganZ]

We tip a LOT in the city. I don't even want to get into how much, but our list includes our doormen and the (small) list of maintence people - although they get less since we never have them do anything. I understand tipping the doormen since they do take care of all of our packages, accept deliveries, etc. but we don't tip them all equally. I don't tip the mail man or any other service people in our lives.

[Vishenka69]

ETA: Maybe it's because I come from a culture where a little something extra is always expected for people to do their job, and I'm sick and tired of that mentality. In the case of doctors, it was always a big fat envelope full of cash, preferably euros or dollars. I am all for rewarding excellent service, and I tip well, but I hate being pressured to give when not deserved.

I totally agree. There was a discussion on a Russian parent board about gifts for doctors and people were mentioning vintage scotch and Tiffany crystal. I was telling DH that I found the discussion bizarre, but he said that I've never been a regular patient, so I shouldn't judge.

[medpedspouse]

Tipping drives me crazy! I do not understand who gets tipped vs who doesn't. I think I should do something nice for anyone going above and beyond but I usually do this after the fact instead of waiting for December. However, I do think some expect it and that's when it bothers me. For example, I really don't need my cleaning lady anymore since I've stopped commuting for work but I've kept her on because I know she needs the income. When her dad died back in May, I did not ask for her to reimburse or make up the two times she missed. I also always let her change my cleaning day to suit her schedule because again the house does not really need cleaning like it used to. This year, I gave her a little Christmas gift (only spent $27) but I think she was expecting more. This bugs me...don't know why so much. I really feel like keeping her for the past year is plenty plus her help is no longer as helpful as it used to be...it's more of an inconvenience because I have to create work.
Then there's my physical therapist. I been seeing her off and on for the past year. Wish I could tip her because I do think she goes beyond the call of duty. I gave her a small gift and you could tell she was somewhat uncomfortable by it...maybe it's her personality maybe it's against clinic policy - who knows...she did not open it. All I know is that I would have been more than glad to tip her plenty but don't think that would have been taken well.

[oceanchild]

I am annoyed by the paper person too with the envelop and poem about delivering the paper in all weather, etc. I have had to call for a re-delivery several times last year bc we didn't get it, and sometimes it's all soaked through and you can't read it. Plus the post keeps jacking up the cost of home delivery-- there's the tip I guess.

OMG how I loathe the Washington Post delivery people. That is all.