First world problem

[Besswess88]

How much do you tip your cleaner at Xmas?

I pay her £26 a week and have tipped her a tenner,

Now totally over thinking that I have been a bit tight.

Anyone? 😭🙈🙈🙈🤣🤣🤣

If it helps OP. My sister is a cleaner and does 4 houses a week. 2 gave her a small gift (chocolates and flowers) and 2 gave her nothing. Nobody gave her cash but they've all recommended her to others so I don't think she's a bad cleaner!

A tenner is fine.

We paid double

@LiterallyKnowsBest

Why is this a ‘first world problem?

You cannot genuinely believe that people outside the ‘first world’ don’t have homes and don’t employ domestic staff and don’t worry about how to tip their staff on high days and holidays?

How odd.

And yes, your tip is low. But I’m sure your cleaner cares more about regular employment than one-off tips.

Because of OP doesn't say "first world problems" then someone will come along and start saying "is that all you've got to worry about? Some people don't have homes and don't employ domestic staff". Hope that helps.

@Hobbesmanc - Jilly Cooper, is that you?

Chocolates, cheese and wine, and a selection box for her DS.

I never tip actual cash, it's crass.

I'm sure she really appreciated it 😊 it's the thought and gesture that are more important than the amount

someone will come along and start saying "is that all you've got to worry about? Some people don't have homes and don't employ domestic staff".

‘Embarrassingly middle class problem’ would have covered that.

The current title implies that not one of the billions of people outside Europe and America has a sufficiently comfortable life to make the question relevant to them. Which is, of course, incorrect.

@LaChristmasBella

Chocolates, cheese and wine, and a selection box for her DS.

I never tip actual cash, it's crass.

Genuine question, why is it crass to tip cash?

That way, someone can buy what they want instead of another box of chocolates / something they might not drink etc

I don't have a cleaner but I'm self employed. I'm a private tutor, I get chocs and wine and scented candles that kind of thing. I am assuming cleaner is self employed rather than agency. So I assume she sets her own rates to take holidays etc into account. No one pays me when I don't work and I set my own rates to take that into account. I don't understand why a cleaner is different.

@LaChristmasBella

Chocolates, cheese and wine, and a selection box for her DS.

I never tip actual cash, it's crass.

Why is it crass? Its better to give money than some shite they might not like or might get loads off if their other clients give them some too. I'd absolutely rather £10 than some chocolates, cheese and wine someone else has chosen. Probably not the best judge though as I find it weird people pay someone to clean up their mess as they can't be arsed.

@Fanmango do you apply to same principle to window cleaners, painters, decorators, hairdressers, car valets etc etc etc? Ie, you never pay for a convenience service?

[quote ShirleyPhallus]@Fanmango do you apply to same principle to window cleaners, painters, decorators, hairdressers, car valets etc etc etc? Ie, you never pay for a convenience service?[/quote]
Car valets yes, painters maybe, others no- they are either trained and skilled or have equipment someone is unlikely to have loafing about their home already.

@LaChristmasBella

Chocolates, cheese and wine, and a selection box for her DS.

I never tip actual cash, it's crass.

It’s not crass to tip cash when the recipient may well prefer cash to sugar. I understand perfectly what the OP meant by 1st world problem. OP is not that well-off, just busy, so she can’t afford a large tip. I’m sure your cleaner will recognise this OP and will appreciate the thoughtfulness of any gift you can give. Happy Christmas!

Cash is fine, £10 is a lovely gesture. The competitive how much to give your cleaner is pretty gross.

I think busy people choose to have cleaners, not lazy people.

£10 is fine.

A tenner is perfectly reasonable for a tip. If she gets that from all her clients she'll be quids in.

@LaChristmasBella

Chocolates, cheese and wine, and a selection box for her DS.

I never tip actual cash, it's crass.

Giving the preferred gift is never crass.

Normally a week's extra money but this year champagne as well because she found my lost wedding ring!!

I bought ours nice biscuits in a light up tin, chocolates and some gin baubles from M&S which came to £20. I wasn’t sure what to do but thought it made a nice festive looking presents.

£50

No tip here; didn't occur to me - we don't really celebrate Christmas. I did, however, continue to pay them during the months they were unable to work (and yes, I do know they technically could have, but I prioritised their safety and ours) during lockdown. I remember Mumsnet being very sceptical as to the ethics of this. Out of interest, how many of the tippers on this thread did the same?