Holiday Tipping…Do You Do It?
Yes, along with all the other gifts and cards and letters – this time of year we also have to consider whether or not we should tip those who serve us.
I used to not give extra holiday tips to people who provide services for me. But then here and there I heard from others that they were doing it. So a few years back I decided it might be a good idea to provide a little extra token of my appreciation if I was going to see someone for a service during the season.
How much do I tip? Up until last year I just gave cash…you know like twice the tip for my nail lady or my hair lady.
This year my tipping list has grown to include the guy that provides guitar lessons to The Boy (and now Tommy). For a change, I decided to go the gift card route and provide a little extra to kick in for when my service peeps go shopping or eating or drinking. I feel this way they will be more inclined to use the thing on themselves or maybe for a nice lunch out with the spouse, rather than buying gifts for others. I mean after all…isn’t the token supposed to be a nice gesture to show how much you appreciate them?
I haven’t given them out yet, but I hope they like the cards vs. cash. I’m sure anything will be appreciated, because so often these days people forget about the great service they get and only complain about the occasional poor service when it happens.
I do draw the line at the mailman, garbage collector, and newspaper delivery person. I have never met these people. The only time I ever have any personal interaction with them is when they put their name and address in the paper (printed on a convenient money envelope) or on a post card in the mail box. When I see this, I feel like they are expecting a gift or tip, and to me that’s just wrong. They are paid for what they do, and they do not live on tips. So I do not provide them. Maybe that’s not very “giving” of me, but it’s the way I feel.
I pulled an article on CNN Money for you to take a peek at so you’ll know what the norm seems to be in case you’re trying to decide to give extra tips this season.
So, do you do it? Do you give extra tips or gifts during the holidays?
“Do you give extra tips or gifts during the holidays?”
No. The garbage is collected by a truck with a mechanical arm. No more physical lifting and the odd time I have extra garbage, I am charged for it. Also, I left the mulch can with the busted wheel out one day with the wheel and axle on top, thinking they would have the presence of mind to take it and deliver a new one. They emptied it and threw the wheel and axle in the driveway.
F*** ‘em.
ITA with you about the mail thing. That is presumptuous as hell.
I have no issue with the proliferation of tip jars in shops. If I am provided service with a smile and or a pleasantry I will leave something. If I encounter someone who is surly, I leave nothing. And I figure anyone working minimum wage jobs that is still pleasant to the public deserves a little extra now and then.
Comment by Mark - December 10, 2006 11:23 am
I do to a minimal extent. If I happen to get my nails done or get lucky enough to schedule a hair appt during Christmas-time, I do tip extra. I tip extra well at the commissary during the holidays as well, because they are working their asses off and lots of people DON”T tip them. But not the mailman, paper delivery, etc. I’m with you, I never see those people, or have any interaction whatsoever with them, so no tip.
Comment by buffi - December 11, 2006 1:14 am
[...] Either way, they say that if you tip regularly throughout the year, you don’t have to give a holiday tip. But if you insist on handing over a wad of dough this month, here are some tipping guidelines from Eons (click here for the full list): [...]
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