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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not know about christmas tipping and want to know if you do

182 replies

Lambzig · 19/12/2011 08:21

Yesterday our milkman sent us a christmas card. Was going to send one back, but just got off the phone to my father who tells me it was a little hint for a christmas tip in a return card. DF tells me I should also be tipping the bin men, the postman, the grocery delivery man (we always get the same one) and anyone else like that, and is shocked I have never done this. We live in outer london suburbia (in case thats relevant)

Is this something everyone else does and all these people have been staring at our house in hatred at the meanies who live there for years or is Dad (who does live in a small more rural community and probably bumps into everyone) being old fashioned. Am also worried how I am going to afford it.

OP posts:

slavetofilofax · 19/12/2011 10:11

I don't tip any of those people, and I really don't understand why anyone would. What makes them so different from any other worker? Why do some jobs have an expectation of tipping? The only job I think is worthy of being tipped is waitressing, and even then, only if they go above and beyond doing the basics.

I'm not going to tip the postman for doing his job anymore than I am going to tip the girl on the checkput at Tescos for doing her job.

LoveInASnowyClimate · 19/12/2011 10:13

I never see any of these people to tip them, or even to know if they're always the same people! Are you all SAHMs or work at home so are at home in the daytime?

perfumedlife · 19/12/2011 10:13

I always gave my window cleaner bacon rolls, bottle of whiskey and £20 at Christmas when he did my last clean of the year. Then he just vanished into the ether. Caught up with him and he said my windows were a pain in the ass to reach Not sure tipping has the desired effect round these parts.

Give the postie something in an envelope as he is brilliant. Binmen, there are so many of them, may just get a big tin of chocolates to share. They are nice, ring my bell when I leave my car door open all the time

HandMini · 19/12/2011 10:20

How often do you lot have window cleaner visiting. I have cleaner, postie, etc, but always just give the windows a wipe myself....

So, once a month?

lollopybear · 19/12/2011 10:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

1Catherine1 · 19/12/2011 10:23

When I was a kid and did 3 paper rounds I used to get loads of Christmas tips. Average amount was £1 a house but I got the odd £5. I got about £100 over all my rounds. But then I earned £19 a week and was up at 6:30am every morning. I thought tipping was for those that earn very little, so then, me.

I don't have a milkman so won't be tipping him. I am a little annoyed that my bin men missed my bin the other week when I left it out and then the council didn't bother to send anyone out when I complained so they will be getting nothing especially as they have refused to take it again this morning! I've never met our postman but if he turned up hinting I would probably tip him.

earlyriser · 19/12/2011 10:24

What about the lollipop man? Swimming/gymnastics/french instructer? What is the etiquitte here?

Cankulzof · 19/12/2011 10:25

We have three different bin collections for black bin and two separate recycling boxes.

Then there's the Royal Mail letter postman and the separate RM parcel postman.

I also get deliveries from a few other couriers fairly regularly, Yodel, Hermes and the like. Always the same fellas.

Then there's the Tesco lady and the Sainsbos chap.

So at a tenner each I'm looking at £100 in tips?

That's not including the gifts for toddler group leaders, nursery key workers and teachers..

perfumedlife · 19/12/2011 10:28

HandMini once a month, my windows are 15 feet high, no way I can do them myself. Does them inside and out every other month, outsides each month.

perfumedlife · 19/12/2011 10:30

Gosh, forgot, yes the lollipop man gets a bottle of whiskey too. Am going to be skint. I thought I'd done all the shopping. Felt I had to give the doctor's receptionist something as I've been there so much this year and they have gone above and beyond for me. Where does it stop though? I know they are just as happy with a thankyou card but I somehow don't think the same can be said for the binmen/postie.

Sillyoldelf · 19/12/2011 10:33

Would not dream of tipping bin men .. Do you guys that tip them actually know how much they earn ?! The driver gets paid £27,000.

Cankulzof · 19/12/2011 10:37

what exactly are the (already better paid than DP) waste contractors going to do if I don't tip?

Forget to collect one week? Ah, they've done that already..

fling rotting foodstuff all over the pavement? Hang on, they do that already too.

littlepie · 19/12/2011 10:37

We give beer to the bin men (not recycling as they tease the dog through the gate!), chocs to our lovely postlady and some biscuits to the Drs receptionists.

Cleaner got an extra £10, window cleaner nothing (not usre why!) & nursery staff got gift vouchers.

It does add up when you look at it but all of these people make my life a lot easier!

Cankulzof · 19/12/2011 10:39

And the postman What'll he do?

Go on strike? Well they've tried that already..

Put a red card through the door and not bother knocking even though I'm at home? Ummmm....

TroublesomeEx · 19/12/2011 10:41

I don't tip the bin men. They get paid and I have to report missed collections on average 2 wks out of 3. They're inconsiderate and bad mannered.

We have a window cleaner but tbh it's never occurred to me to tip.

Don't ever see our postman so don't even know if it's the same person every time!

Although I don't expect tips or presents for doing my job so I am a bit about it.

TroublesomeEx · 19/12/2011 10:41

I also think it's a bit patronising and old fashioned (but not in a 'nice' way!) to tip the lowly tradespeople.

perfumedlife · 19/12/2011 10:44

I can see why you think that in a way FolkGirl, but I like the tradition of giving and appreciating people who go the extra mile too. I tip my beautician, taxi driver, waitress, hairdresser and don't consider them lowly tradespeople either.

Sillyoldelf · 19/12/2011 10:44

cankul you are making me laugh . It's so true . I make people's life easier too .. But I never get tipped ! I think people should only get tipped if they go way above their call of duty .. Not just because they do their job .

TuftyFinch · 19/12/2011 11:01

I just left a card taped to our bin with a fiver in it for bin men. I know they get paid but I think it's nice to show appreciation for how well they do their job. Our binmen have to come round the back. They always close the gate, they always bring our bin back, they are polite to the kids. Today they took 2 extra bags as well.
A tip is to show appreciation for the service you receive. I think we get excellent service so I tip. My postie is excellent and I tip him too.

TroublesomeEx · 19/12/2011 11:06

perfumedlife Nowt wrong with a bit of tradition if it makes you happy!

Don't tip taxi drivers They really don't need it...

Hairdressers - I don't but then I'm rarely satisfied with the finished product

Waitress - If they've smiled, been polite, anticipated a need, gone the extra mile then yes, I will, but not as standard.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 19/12/2011 11:07

Box of chocs for the bin men and recycling men to share at the end of their round and a fiver for the milkman. Our postie has a face like a slapped arse so he'll not get owt.

TroublesomeEx · 19/12/2011 11:08

Good grief TuftyFinch any houses in your road for sale? I can guarantee our bin men wouldn't do that! Yours deserve their tip!

mosschops30 · 19/12/2011 11:14

I dont tip people generally unless they ate exceptional. Everyone gets paid for their job and most of us are not lucky enough to be in a rofession that gets tipped.
However i do want to tip my postie because hes fab, he always knows who talks to who in the street so i only get asked to take arcels for people i like , when i was pg he eould knock the door and hand me my post so i didnt have to bend down, he has been known to not ask for unpaid postage and just shoves it through, ditto parcels that are small enough to fit.
Hes always cheerful and says hello with a smile.

Should i give him money, wine or chocs?

TroublesomeEx · 19/12/2011 11:17

You should give him a knighthood!!!

Laquitar · 19/12/2011 11:32

Only the window cleaner (every 6 weeks Handmini) and thats only £5 and a bargain bottle of wine.

I don't even see the binmen and postmen, i am that some of you know yours so well. In that case maybe i would give £5 and/or box of mince pies or chocs.

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