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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to tip the bin men for xmas?

145 replies

ScottishStottie · 18/12/2020 12:02

Curious to know how many people do this. I thought it was pretty common but today when i gave them the xmas tip, they seemed pretty surprised so made me think its not as common as i think?

YABU - no i dont tip the bin men
YANBU - yes i do tip the bin men

OP posts:
Donotgogentle · 18/12/2020 12:05

Yes, tipped ours this week.

They did a brilliant job in lockdown here. When everything else was falling apart they came every single week. They’re absolutely key workers.

DimidDavilby · 18/12/2020 12:05

I was going to get them a box of celebrations each as my DH has a class chip and thinks its bourgouis to tip them. I think the opposite tbh but I can't be arsed to argue with him.

Donotgogentle · 18/12/2020 12:08

It probably is bourgeois but they looked pleased all the same.

Reckon they’d like Celebrations too, it’s about your work being noticed and appreciated.

HaHaVeryBunny · 18/12/2020 12:10

Yeah, was more common to do years ago but l think its a lovely tradition that should continue.

RainbowRaine · 18/12/2020 12:27

Yes I always give something and they always say thank you, more than once.

CrotchBurn · 18/12/2020 12:28

This reply has been deleted

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DontTouchTheMoustache · 18/12/2020 12:31

For some reason they missed my street off the bin route last week so my general rubbish wasnt taken and wont be until the 23rd so no definitely not tipping as at this rate we will be lucky if we don't get rats 🙈

Newt432 · 18/12/2020 12:33

Since moving to a house and seeing them. Yes we have done for the last two years. Along with the regular postie.

Kinneddar · 18/12/2020 12:34

Absolutely not. Theyre rude, bad mannered & generally miserable.

DecemberSun · 18/12/2020 12:35

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AnneLovesGilbert · 18/12/2020 12:37

Not this year after I saw them tipping the contents of my green comment post caddy into my black bin. But I usually do. And I gave our postie a tenner in a Christmas card this year. The man is an absolute legend, we love him. Tireless, considerate, so helpful. When I had DD he noticed the upstairs curtains were closed in the mornings and did a very quiet specific knock so he didn’t wake anyone.

DimidDavilby · 18/12/2020 12:46

I don't see why it's posh (giving up on boar-jwar) though tbh, I work in a service industry and it's not usually the fancier people that tip the most.

Arnoldthecat · 18/12/2020 12:54

Do you tip your estate agent,lawyer,doctor etc ?

Nowaynothappening · 18/12/2020 12:59

Honestly never see the bin men. I’m on mat leave atm but they don’t come on one of my work day’s anyway so I’m never awake when they arrive.

I’ve never heard of anyone tipping them personally though.

ScottishStottie · 18/12/2020 13:00

Wow surprised at the deleted posts, didnt think it would be a topic that would warrent any deleted replies...

No i dont tip estate agents, lawyers etc, firstly because ive never had any direct dealings with any, and secondly because they earn a good wage for what they do. I cant imagine the same can be said for refuse collectors, its a job i couldnt do so im grateful for the people that can.

I would have tipped my postie as he is good throughout the year, but we seem to have temp staff covering atm. Still good, but not the regular one. So doubt any tip would reach the right person.

Hadnt seen it as a posh thing to do at all, its just something that my mum always did, and shes not posh...

OP posts:
ivfbeenbusy · 18/12/2020 13:02

Absolutely not too

They haven't gone above and beyond to do the jobs they are paid to do?

They are always on bloody strike here over some minor thing or other and a minor problem with your bin sees them refuse to collect it.

Crazycakelady17 · 18/12/2020 13:04

Yes I tipped ours a crate of beer and a tub of celebrations they were chuffed they do a great job and been fab in lockdown

MathsRocksMathsRocks · 18/12/2020 13:06

We always give our bin men something. They get to us before 6am, come rain or shine, summer or winter, so they start really early. Our day is Monday, and they come every Monday throughout the year, unless Christmas Day is a Monday or Boxing Day. So all those Bank Holiday Mondays, our bins are collected as normal.

I make a box of Christmas cupcakes for them, stick a token cash amount in for them to 'buy a drink', or sometimes we buy them a 6 pack of beer, and leave it on top of the bin for them in a bag with a card for them to find. Wouldn't know them if I saw them in the street, so if we can't show them we appreciate them at Christmas, when can we?! Xmas Smile

PicsInRed · 18/12/2020 13:06

It's quite a British thing to do. No-one tips the postie and the rubbish collectors (or hairdressers, beauticians, etc) back home - they're seen as people doing a job, like anyone else. It feels like a class system thing somehow. 🤔

ivfbeenbusy · 18/12/2020 13:12

We always give our bin men something. They get to us before 6am, come rain or shine, summer or winter, so they start really early. Our day is Monday, and they come every Monday throughout the year, unless Christmas Day is a Monday or Boxing Day. So all those Bank Holiday Mondays, our bins are collected as normal.

You realise lots of jobs involve starting work early and working in all weathers or over bank holidays???

ScottishStottie · 18/12/2020 13:15

@ivfbeenbusy thats fair enough if your personal experience is not good, in that situation i probably wouldnt tip either.

But mine are good throughout the year, never had any issues and given that its to to be taken for granted as your experience indicates, its nice to show gratitude.

I used to work in a bar, and customers would tip, but at christmas time, a lot of regulars would give something more substantial (£5 instead of £1 for example) to go to the christmas pot, and would get us drinks on our staff night out. We were only doing a job we were paid to, but the gesture always meant a lot. Its nice to be nice. Pay it forward and all that.

OP posts:
Letmegoplease · 18/12/2020 13:16

Doesn’t our taxes pay for them? From what I am aware of they aren’t on the minimum wage , so no I won’t be tipping them. They are simply doing their job which they are lucky to have due to what’s been going on.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 18/12/2020 13:18

Erm no. Ours seem to enjoy making sure everyone's bin blocks their drive after they're emptied, also go out of their way to block the road rather than pulling up a few feet further away.

nancybotwinbloom · 18/12/2020 13:20

Yes we tip them every year.

Lolalime · 18/12/2020 13:20

I have thought about this but here we have separate teams for the recycled and non recycled waste each with 4 workers, so even a box of celebrations each would cost an extra £40.
I’d like to but can’t.

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