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

[SofaCushion]

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?

If you don’t tip, at least donate warm clothes, socks or money to the local homeless shelter then.

I work in the NHS on a decent wage, but I work with people earning less than bin collectors who are directly involved in keeping patients alive who don’t get tips

Staff in the NHS aren't allowed to accept cash individually are they? But staff get loads of tips in terms of gifts such as chocolates, biscuits etc.

Years ago when we were young and poor, the very miserable bin men left a card saying ’Happy Christmas from the people who empty your bins’. I left one the next week saying ‘Happy Christmas from the people who teach your children’.

@Auntspiker I work in a non-patient facing department, although we still have a massive impact on patient care. There are no gifts at all from patients. There are a lot of band 1/2 jobs that never/rarely involve meeting patients in person, and so aren’t thanked with gifts. You’re right about monetary tips not being allowed though.

Considering my postman seems to think he is a binman half the time (can't think of any other reason why he puts parcels in my food or garden waste bins) urgh! - Then no.

Shady I agree, but the poster was referring to people who are directly involved in patient care. Are there still band 1 jobs in the NHS? Blimey, I thought they'd gone now, and merged into band 2.

I understand that non patient facing staff often miss out, but I guess it's the same for people who work in Royal Mail offices and arent postal staff. The public only tip the people they come into contact with.

You don’t have to tip of course, but you don’t need to be smug and horrid about it.

This. My mum tipped ours when I was growing up - lived in a village and always the same guys who were lovely and helpful. I don’t - live in London, never see them, not got a clue if we have a regular postie etc. I do give a tip in Christmas card to the woman who waxes me!

There’s nothing wrong with not tipping and equally nothing wrong with giving a bit of festive cheer to someone who makes your life a bit easier.

The average postman earns (in Ireland) 29k here apparently. Starting salary 25k

Bin man pay scale 25k- 39k!

They don’t need to be tipped!!

No I don’t, I have more than enough family to buy for without adding random strangers into the mix, don’t have a regular postie and the bin crew are prone to changing as well.