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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you give the postman/bin men a Christmas present/tip?

134 replies

SofaCushion · 09/12/2019 11:35

Just wondered if you give your postman or bin men a Christmas present or tip? I mentioned popping out to buy tins of biscuits (nice chocolate ones) at lunchtime and one of my colleagues just asked me why I’d give anything to them...

We moved in end of last year, so wanted to thank the postman, as he’s always the same guy and happy and smiley when he delivers. Although the bin men always block our drive with our bins (they always put the neighbours’ bins back nicely though). I think cos the old vendor was an arsehole, so maybe they didn’t like him. Maybe a gift will get the bin shifted properly 😂

Thoughts? Maybe biscuits isn’t the right idea? Anyone else got a better suggestion?

OP posts:
BrotherlyLove · 09/12/2019 15:51

My postman can't read simple instructions such as Do not bend in bright red on an envelope so No I will not be tipping him.

CherryPavlova · 09/12/2019 15:53

Yes always. As we live rurally they are invaluable and deserve reward for all the times they’ve gone over and above. Taking things they shouldn’t, collecting post as well as delivering, keeping an eye on neighbours and passing on concerns etc.

WeCameToDanceWithTheDead · 09/12/2019 15:53

The bin men throw my bins so hard on to the lawn that I have not had a working bin for more than a fortnight since I moved in. It drives me batty!
I've never thought about the postman. Do people normally tip/buy presents for the postman? It wouldn't have ever occured to me.

norfolkforever · 09/12/2019 15:54

but would you tip the checkout chicks in tesco?

no.

so I don`t tip.

reginafelangee · 09/12/2019 15:56

Never occurred to me to do this. I didn't know it was a thing.

Doggyfeet · 09/12/2019 15:58

How do the posties manage to carry around all these boxes of biscuits/chocolates?

amusedbush · 09/12/2019 16:04

How do the posties manage to carry around all these boxes of biscuits/chocolates?

I'm assuming they put them in their bag, then into the van when picking up their next loop of mail.

woblob · 09/12/2019 16:05

In Australia if bin day happens to fall on Christmas Day it's common to leave something on top of/near your wheelie bin for them! Lots of people do a 6 pack of beer.

TheElfFellOffTheShelf · 09/12/2019 16:06

Why would I do that when they get paid for the job they chose to do?! Even if I chose to tip them, how would I go about doing so? I rarely see them because they've usually been and gone by the time I get up or come home, but when I do they don't strike me as going out of their way to give me excellent service; instead, as I already said, they're just doing their job.

I don't tip anyone else either. Where does it end - why only tip people offering some services but not others? I actually don't believe it's necessary because people here usually get paid fairly for the jobs they do unlike in other countries where they're paid a pittance and have to try to make up their wages in tips and gratituities.

NaomiFromMilkShake · 09/12/2019 16:10

Since I changed jobs I never see my postie, however when I was sick four years ago the binmen took one look at me and started putting my bin in for me.

Since then I leave a box of Heros out at Christmas for them to share on the round and at Easter I leave a small Easter egg each, no more than £2 or £3.

If we are in a heatwave I put bottles of water in the freezer the evening before and put them on the bins that are not due for collection.

My DH used to think this one was excessive until he saw them collect them and said YESSS out loud.

Lipperfromchipper · 09/12/2019 16:11

I don’t have a bin man, so no
Don’t see the postman much at all...so no.

ShannonShouts · 09/12/2019 16:11

No, never would occur to me to do this

DBML · 09/12/2019 16:12

I’m unlikely to meet my post man or bin men as I’m always in work.

lynxca16 · 09/12/2019 16:34

Always tip our postie - as he is a regular and goes the extra step in leaving parcels etc, usually 20 pounds in a card. Its just showing appreciation for his help over the year.
Binmen: don't any more as they collect at 6.30am - a shame as they do a great job.
Cleaner: Usually a personal gift and 20 pounds in a card

Willow2017 · 09/12/2019 16:38

My parents always did this as we all knew the couple of posted we had for years. Plus the bin men. The doctors surgery staff also got a box of biccies as they were fab and always went above and beyond as did the GPs.
My new surgery will get nowt as it's been one cock up after another since I moved.

Will leave something for postie as he always leaves a note if a parcel is too big and I am out and he knows where to put it. Might leave something out for bin men too if I am at home when they are due. Otherwise it would probably walk before they got there!

I don't think it's cringy at all. It's nice to acknowledge good service and appreciate people even just once a year.

Loving the idea that everyone gets to chose what job they do! I know people including myself who.have had to do jobs they hated but needed to work. Doing the bins is a filthy job and I wouldn't want it for all the tea on China. I am grateful that somebody is prepared to do it for me.

Naomi what a lovely thing to do. Bet they really appreciate that.

Deadposhtory · 09/12/2019 17:19

I give my postie fifty quid and a card. But bin men nothing as don't see they

Deadposhtory · 09/12/2019 17:19

Don't see them

TheWinterCaillech · 09/12/2019 17:24

Not the bin men, but I gave the blokes at the local tip a box of fancy biscuits. I’ve been doing a lot of clearing out, they are polite and very helpful when I’m unloading into multiple skips.
I also gave treats to the staff on hospital wards I’ve had a lot to do with this year. People who do more than just the basics of the job.

TheElfFellOffTheShelf · 09/12/2019 17:55

Doing the bins is a filthy job and I wouldn't want it for all the tea on China. I am grateful that somebody is prepared to do it for me.
My BIL is a binman (I have forgotten his actual job title) and gets about 11.30 an hour. He enjoys his job and wouldn't do anything else.

Willow2017 · 09/12/2019 18:24

I still.wouldnt want to do it😁

Bessica1970 · 09/12/2019 18:50

I tape an envelope with £10 in to our bin on the last collection before Christmas. One winters morning I set the engine running on the car to start de-icing it while the kids were having breakfast. When I looked out of the window, there were two bin men scraping my windscreen Smile. I also think they are more likely to take the occasional extra bag if they remember that you tip. I imagine that they share out what they get between the crew.

OneForMeToo · 09/12/2019 18:58

Our bin men are not allowed to take tips or presents and if caught can be dismissed instantly. In fact they have cctv on the lorry’s. Not my rules it’s the boss. I was shocked. The lads confirmed it too.

bigbluebus · 09/12/2019 19:36

Won't be giving anything to either of them. The bin men rarely put the bin back outside my house and they just throw the recycling boxes anywhere and the postman doesn't seem to be able to consistently put next door's post through their letter box - choosing instead to put it through ours and he doesn't even push it all the way through at that!

MagentaRocks · 09/12/2019 19:39

I don't tip the bin men. I used to give our postie some thing when we had the same one every day as he was great. We don't have the same one every day now so I don't anymore. Still miss our old postie.

Rosebel · 09/12/2019 19:43

I don't but remember my dad will used to tip everyone at Christmas. Milkman, binmen, postman, paperboy. Not sure if he still does. I'm not sure if they're allowed to accept gifts. My husband works for the council and if he does a bit extra,people do offer money which he's not allowed to accept, although I think they can accept a free drink from a shop. Don't know how other companies work.

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