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Original poster

What do you tip your bin men?

262 replies

ChocolateTVandbaby · 17/12/2023 16:32

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?

OP posts:
CoatOfArms · 17/12/2023 19:17

Nothing. They come at the crack of dawn and I never see them. Don't tip the delivery drivers or the postie either.

educatingrati · 17/12/2023 19:14

I used to, because they would often help me with the big black bin up several steps. But then the team changed, and they stopped helping, they also wouldn't empty a bit if the lid wasn't fully shut(the previous team, would take it providing it was semi-closed) so nope, no tip now.

GreekDogRescue · 17/12/2023 19:13

I give the postman and the binmen 20 quid each.
I’m amazed people are claiming they didn’t know this is a thing

GreekDogRescue · 17/12/2023 19:11

Treesinmygarden · 17/12/2023 16:51

Same!! I swear it's on purpose.

They're not in the least bit obliging either.

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If you tipped them they would be more helpful!

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/12/2023 19:10

Nothing. We both work for the same employer.

OhmygodDont · 17/12/2023 19:08

yourturn · 17/12/2023 17:58

Really??? DH has been a binman for 17 years, it's never been mentioned or written in his contracts that they cant accept gratuities.

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Might be an area specific thing but I was told by her and I’ve heard from local residents they cannot even get a black bin bag next to their bins taken. Recycling next to bins left too.

cherish123 · 17/12/2023 19:07

Never

christmaspaws · 17/12/2023 19:01

I don't. I do get something for the postman because if I'm working he will take the time to put parcels in the open window for me or hide them somewhere or even bring them back also he's incredibly hot

lurkingfromhome · 17/12/2023 18:56

I do tip ours because we live fairly rurally and they have to make a special trip to get to our house (no other houses around). Our road is often really icy in winter but they never fail to come every single week and have never once missed a collection even in the worst of winters. So I give them £20 and a box of biscuits in the hope that they'll appreciate my gratitude and keep doing this!

FindingMeno · 17/12/2023 18:55

mogtheexcellent · 17/12/2023 16:38

Nothing, we dont have the same team each week so there no rapport.

Postie gets £30 but that is guilt money because he has to come up our drive and the rescue dog goes nuts and tries to attack him through the door.

Why don't you get a cage inside the door for the post?

Dunnoburt · 17/12/2023 18:52

And I know they earn more than me because my BIL is one!!!!

lookingforMolly · 17/12/2023 18:51

I don't because they earn more than I do!

Dunnoburt · 17/12/2023 18:51

Charity began at home about a year ago.....they get paid more than me!....I literally couldn't afford to tip the bin men.....

Notsurehwhattdo · 17/12/2023 18:49

As Rory Keane says, that's his job.

AllAroundMyCat · 17/12/2023 18:40

A tub of Heroes or a six pack of beers.

mrswhiplington · 17/12/2023 18:37

KnittedCardi · 17/12/2023 18:10

It's a throwback to the days when the guys used to come up to your gate, lift the lid of your bin, empty the bin by hand, and lug heavy dirty bags back to the lorry, all for very little pay.

Now it is a fairly well paid, above minimum wage, needing no qualifications, or English language, fully automated process, with wheeled bins, uploaded by machine. They also get bonuses for bank holiday and meeting targets.

Don't get me wrong, they are always very helpful, and the guys at the dump are lovely, but it is nowhere near as grim a job as it used to be.

I remember the days when they used to carry the metal bins to the lorries and empty them. No bin bags, stuff went straight in the bin. Can you imagine that these days?

Coconutter24 · 17/12/2023 18:37

I’ve never tipped a bin man. They are doing their job which they get paid for plus every week they take my bin off the gravelled area that is out front and to the side of my drive, empty my bin then put it right in the middle of the driveway entrance so when I return I have to stop park up and get out the car move the bin then get back in the car to put it on the drive. Small thing but it’s inconveniencing me and they walk over the gravel anyway to get to the next house

WashItTomorrow · 17/12/2023 18:36

I’ve never done this. They earn more than me.

Angrywife · 17/12/2023 18:26

Why would you tip them 🫤

SirenSays · 17/12/2023 18:25

I try to tip everyone at this time of year. Postie, bin men, amazon drivers... they're always polite and grateful.

TortolaParadise · 17/12/2023 18:22

I remember the 80'swhen the bin crew were a jolly team; the whole street acknowledged them at Christmas in their own way... hip flask, biscuits, cup of tea... simple time, good times.

Whiskerson · 17/12/2023 18:20

birthdayday · 17/12/2023 18:19

I don't think anyone should be tipping anyone.
American companies need to start paying their employees and stop exporting their tipping culture.

Hear hear!!!!!

birthdayday · 17/12/2023 18:19

I don't think anyone should be tipping anyone.
American companies need to start paying their employees and stop exporting their tipping culture.

Floralnomad · 17/12/2023 18:11

We have 3 different lots of binmen and they are without exception annoying . They park opposite my drive to have their breaks which makes it difficult to get off my drive but they all just sit in their trucks watching me do a 7 point turn rather than move forward 6 feet . Then they leave all the empty bins in the middle of the drive so you have to get out and move it before you can put the car in whereas they could leave them on the path . They get nothing from me . We don’t have a regular postie anymore so no tip there .

KnittedCardi · 17/12/2023 18:10

It's a throwback to the days when the guys used to come up to your gate, lift the lid of your bin, empty the bin by hand, and lug heavy dirty bags back to the lorry, all for very little pay.

Now it is a fairly well paid, above minimum wage, needing no qualifications, or English language, fully automated process, with wheeled bins, uploaded by machine. They also get bonuses for bank holiday and meeting targets.

Don't get me wrong, they are always very helpful, and the guys at the dump are lovely, but it is nowhere near as grim a job as it used to be.

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