Page 4 | What do you tip your bin men?

ChocolateTVandbaby · 2023-12-17T16:32:24+00:00

Inspired by a podcast I'm listening to... wondering whether people tip their binmen and if so what with? My mum leaves beer out for them. Some people I know give cash. What do you give and how much?

Ilovesshopping · 17/12/2023 21:31

They’re really not that well paid at all. If they have a HGV licence then they’ll probably earn a bit more, but certainly not a high wage. Yes it’s an unskilled role so you wouldn’t expect it, but it’s very essential. As for the paying high council tax.. well they’re not getting that are they.

Shadowonasun · 17/12/2023 21:27

I don't tip anyone and don't understand the culture. Why would I give additional money to people for doing their job? Which they get a wage for? They show up for work, do their thing, get their money. End of story. Why would I give them more. That applies to everyone, hairdressers, waiters, cabbies, etc.

I also work with clients/service industry. No one tips me (nor should they). I don't see why I must.

Jumpingthruhoops · 17/12/2023 21:22

I pay them once a month. In council tax!

Tacotortoise · 17/12/2023 21:21

Wouldn't dream of tipping them. They are pretty well paid, certainly better than I am.

FourLeggedBuckers · 17/12/2023 21:21

I don’t tip the postman because the service is appalling round here. I do tip the bin men because they actually do their job and they’re not knobs about it, unlike the postal service - although in previous areas I’ve always tipped both.

It’s a physically very tough job that isn’t nearly well enough paid for it, and they’re always lovely when they meet me on a horse and I inadvertently hold them up. They’re far more polite around horses on the road than the general public, and that alone makes them worth a Christmas tip to me.

UsingChangeofName · 17/12/2023 21:18

I don't.
No idea why you think I would.

Sandytoxic · 17/12/2023 21:11

Tenner each, black, green, brown bins and postman. With a card saying how we appreciate the work they do. It’s nice to be nice.

chocolataupain · 17/12/2023 21:08

Biker47 · 17/12/2023 17:52

I graciously make my extortionate council tax payment each month, that's all.

Same 😂

chocolataupain · 17/12/2023 21:06

Whiskerson · 17/12/2023 16:58

What do I what my what?!

😂 you echoed my response almost word for word

I do not "tip" anyone. I just pay the appropriate amount for the services they provide. Is that not... well, normal? I assumed so. Perhaps I was wrong. 😬

43ontherocksporfavor · 17/12/2023 21:05

Have never tipped bin operatives and don’t plan to. I appreciated them and pay my council tax.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 17/12/2023 21:05

Do people really do this?

beanontoast · 17/12/2023 21:03

ChocolateTVandbaby · 17/12/2023 21:00

I haven't got through all the comments but interesting not many people on here do. I haven't before but feel like I should. They are reliable and pleasant. They always wave to my young DC who like watching them get the bins and if I'm ever putting the bin out at the last minute they help me take it. They're good so I would like to tip them but not sure what to give or how if we're not here.

Could you tip them the week after instead? I doubt they’d mind

Zone2NorthLondon · 17/12/2023 21:01

No of course not. Don’t tip postie or bin men

Original poster

ChocolateTVandbaby · 17/12/2023 21:00

I haven't got through all the comments but interesting not many people on here do. I haven't before but feel like I should. They are reliable and pleasant. They always wave to my young DC who like watching them get the bins and if I'm ever putting the bin out at the last minute they help me take it. They're good so I would like to tip them but not sure what to give or how if we're not here.

OP posts:

MyLadyTheKingsMother · 17/12/2023 20:55

Ha! No, they earn more than I do!

Maireas · 17/12/2023 20:54

That's interesting, @TheSingingDefective .
No wonder some councils are going bankrupt.

Maireas · 17/12/2023 20:54

Happilyobtuse · 17/12/2023 20:50

Bin men get a box of chocolate to share and they are always grateful and very pleasant. The postman gets wine, chocolate and biscuits. He is a lovely old man who ensures we never miss a parcel!

Shouldn't he ensure you never miss a parcel anyway?

TheSingingDefective · 17/12/2023 20:51

The auditors looking at Birmingham City Council’s financial issues found that the average bin collector in that area is earning £47,000 a year for working 30 hours a week. They are officially contracted for 38 hours a week at £29,000 a year.

They are contracted to do 4 x 9.5 hour days but their allocated daily round takes about 6 hours after which they are allowed to go home. The 5th day, which is required as the 4 day rota doesn’t cover enough collections, is paid as overtime at 9.5 hours x time and a half. Again, it takes about 6 hours. So the average bin collector actually only works 30 hours and gets paid for 51.75 hours a week.

Happilyobtuse · 17/12/2023 20:50

Bin men get a box of chocolate to share and they are always grateful and very pleasant. The postman gets wine, chocolate and biscuits. He is a lovely old man who ensures we never miss a parcel!

ExTheCheater · 17/12/2023 20:49

Mine block my gate every bin day with the bin handles facing the other way so it's awkward to move it and get out. They also come at half 6 talking very loudly waking me up. So I'd never even think to tip as they stress me out every Tuesday.

beanontoast · 17/12/2023 20:46

WashItTomorrow · 17/12/2023 20:43

Bin men, posties etc earn more than me! It’s nothing to do with being miserly. It’s about what people can afford.

Show quote history

I don’t think it’s miserly if you can’t afford it. I do think the attitude that ‘I vote Labour (implied) so I don’t worry myself about tipping’ is miserly. I’ve always voted Labour and while I can afford it, I will also tip individual low paid workers who provide me with good service. I don’t tip those who provide bad service.

2Old2Tango · 17/12/2023 20:44

Used to tip them years ago but not any more. I leave my bins to the side but they always leave them smack bang in the middle of my drive - and I live on a main road so it’s a huge pain to come back in the car and not be able to get in. I can’t just leave my car in the middle of a busy road to get out and move them. I’ve tried asking them not to do this but they don’t seem to have a brain cell between them, so can’t be arsed now.

We've had a bin woman on our round occasionally, so YABU to call them bin men.

WashItTomorrow · 17/12/2023 20:43

beanontoast · 17/12/2023 20:23

Tipping really is just people playing lady bountiful. If you want to improve the lives of low earners, vote in parties who raise public sector pay & minimum wage and want to grow public service provision, not reduce it.

You are allowed to do both, you know. How miserly.

Bin men, posties etc earn more than me! It’s nothing to do with being miserly. It’s about what people can afford.

itsnotfair10 · 17/12/2023 20:42

We always leave a box of biscuits out each year. Something they can munch on their rounds :)

justasoul · 17/12/2023 20:41

No tips but I give them a tub of chocolates or box of biscuits. Also do it for the postwoman (she dresses up as an elf on Christmas week and is lovely all year round), the milkman and, yes, the nurses who give me my monthly treatment and the pharmacy who gets my meds ready for me. It is their job but I appreciate it and want to say thanks.