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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you still 'tip' the postie, bin men, etc at Christmas?

239 replies

kitnkaboodle · 20/12/2016 23:16

I say 'still', because it is kind of an older generation thing to do. Having not done it before, I gave our postie a box of chocs last Christmas Eve as I work at home and have quite a lot of chats with him. My mum would leave whisky for the milkman, etc, and I think some people used to leave money in the dustbin lids for the bin men. Now wondering if I've started a new tradition and I should get him something this year too.

It's obviously not anything that anyone would get offended by, and no-one's going to say it's a bad idea. Just wondering how many people did it these days.

OP posts:

Katedotness1963 · 21/12/2016 08:59

Just tipped the beer delivery man!

yorkshapudding · 21/12/2016 09:39

I have bought a small present for our postman (just a tin of nice biscuits and a card) because he's a lovely man who is very sweet to DD.

I haven't got anything for the binmen because there are loads of them, three different crews, so it would be pot luck who actually got the money/gift and we don't actually interact with them unlike the postman who we chat to and know by name.

Don't have a milkman and don't think ive ever had the same person deliver my online grocery shop twice.

OhMrDarcy · 21/12/2016 09:48

I tip our lovely postwoman (£10 and chocs) as she is fab and give biscuits to my dogs all year. Thought about the bin men, haven't decided yet, but it would be £20 in a card if I did. Nobody else delivers regularly here apart from the milkman and he's changed this year and isn't nearly as nice as the old one.

My mother used to tip the bin men, postie and coal man I think. She never bought anything for the school staff though!

RebelandaStunner · 21/12/2016 09:50

We don't have a milk or paper delivery. Postie changes almost daily so that would be impossible. Bin men are great really should tip them this year.
DP's used to tip everyone.

2rebecca · 21/12/2016 09:52

Am usually at work when they come. The first year here I left a fiver in an envelope with bin men on it taped to inside of lid. It was there when I returned so didn't bother after that.

Katy07 · 21/12/2016 10:08

No to the postman - used to in old house as had the same one for years but here they vary so much & normally swap at Xmas anyway. No to the binmen - do a crap job, there's more rubbish floating around after they've been. No to the supermarket delivery because it's not a regular thing - might if it was & was a regular person who did a good job. Way back in the good old days you got to know people and they actually seemed to take pride in their work. These days it's someone different every time.

Creatureofthenight · 21/12/2016 10:16

No - I rarely see postie as post comes around noon, and if I am in they are different people each time.
We have at least 2 bin crews, the rubbish gets picked up by different lorry than the recycling, and I think the garden/food waste might go on a third, so would get a bit daft!
I'm not generally a tipper though except in restaurants.

surferjet · 21/12/2016 10:24

Yes. I tip our postman & window cleaner. But only a fiver. £10 seems a bit over generous maybe?

Bin men no, but only because there's about 5 of them and they change regularly.

questioningitall · 21/12/2016 13:45

Can I ask why the fuck it's superior to give someone who delivers your mail with a cheery grin every day and makes an effort to get your stuff to you when your out a box of chocolates and a tenner?

Lasvegas · 21/12/2016 13:53

For first time ever I left £10 for bin men. They are really good at going on my drive and getting correct recycling box if i leave wrong one out.

EasternDailyStress · 21/12/2016 13:54

Our (regular) postman gets £10 of scratchcards in a card. Binmen get 4 cans of beer and a card - I put the cans in a carrier bag and tie it to the handle of the bin. Then put it out after dark, so hopefully it doesn't get stolen (unlikely as in quiet road in a village).

Jigglealltheway · 21/12/2016 13:58

Left our bin men a card and case of beers. We have a few times forgotten to put the bins out and they have still emptied them. We have a box of chocolates and card for the postie. We don't have a conversation as such but he is always smiley and happy.

Littleballerina · 21/12/2016 14:01

Chocolates for the bin men and £10 for our postman.
I give teachers presents and I have been given sweets (hcp).

theSnuffster · 21/12/2016 14:10

I find tipping in general a bit odd. I understand that it used to be relevant when certain jobs didn't pay 'minimum wage' but nowadays it doesn't apply. There are lots of people out there that earn minmum wage but dont get tips. I don't really see why some people on minimum wage deserve tips and others don't. If only everyone was paid a proper living wage!

MrsMattBomer · 21/12/2016 14:14

We have 3 bin men and 3 recycling men who are always the same, so we just buy them a crate of lager or beer and they can share it out. They're always good with us and have took two full bins of rubbish when they're only supposed to take one, stuff like that.

Postman gets a half bottle of whiskey or rum or something because it's the same one we've always had and, again, he's really good with us. If we're not in to get a parcel, he'll try again on his way back, which is really good of him.

KayTee87 · 21/12/2016 14:17

I doubt refuse collectors (working for the council) are allowed to accept tips TBH.

Never had a conversation with postie, window cleaner etc. and wouldn't even think to tip them.

gleam · 21/12/2016 14:22

I tip the postman and the milkman a tenner in a card.

TheHiphopopotamus · 21/12/2016 14:26

I detest the way card machines at restaurants now have this whole 'do you want to leave a gratuity?' bollocks that you have to openly skip through just to pay!

Slightly off topic, but I've encountered this at one of Rick Steins pub. You went to the bar to order and pay, and we hadn't even had the food yet. I pressed 'No' obviously. Not sure why I should tip someone just for taking my money off me.

I wouldn't give our postman a tip because he's an arsehole who does nothing except moan about the job and the people he's delivering to. No idea who our binmen are. I once gave our window cleaner an xmas bonus but that's it.

LineyReborn · 21/12/2016 18:00

jeeperdoo I envy your life. If you investigate mysterious deaths on the side, you are probably Jessica Fletcher

GiftTagHag · 21/12/2016 18:02

I stopped a few years ago.

Bin men earn more than me and they're moody duffers in my area.

I seem to have a different postman every day, so no.

Don't have a milkman.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 21/12/2016 18:05

I doubt refuse collectors (working for the council) are allowed to accept tips TBH.

^ this

turbohamster · 21/12/2016 18:12

When I worked for a local authority tips got donated to the chairmans charity and gifts went for a raffle for the same charity.

SnatchedPencil · 21/12/2016 18:14

No way! They're just doing their jobs. I have never, ever been tipped, because it's just not done in office work. If anything, the postman should tip us because without people to deliver to he would be out of a job!

It's up to you what you do with your own money, but I think it is disgraceful that it is "required" or at least "expected" to tip people who work in certain roles, but not in others. A postman is paid to provide a service, a waiter is paid to provide a service. They may be badly paid but that is not the customer's fault. If you tip these people, you should tip everyone else you have dealings with - the checkout person at the supermarket, maybe they deserve a 10% gratuity on whatever your shopping bill is? They are providing you with a service, after all. And when was the last time anyone tipped a call centre worker? Say you had an insurance claim of £10,000 on your car - surely you should slip them a grand for their trouble, ie doing their bloody job.

If you must tip, at least be fair about it.

RubyWinterstorm · 21/12/2016 18:20

olivesnutsandcheese · 21/12/2016 18:29

Yes, I do, my dad always did and even though he's no longer with us I like to continue it.
Post lady is fairly miserable but she's actually started saying hello occasionally so it's a fiver for her and twenty quid for the black bin men and a tenner for the recycling ones. My DH used to work 'on the dust' when he was at uni and knows how hard and grim a job it can be. They really really appreciate Christmas tips and always share it out amongst the crew

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