Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you tip your bin men?

262 replies

ChocolateTVandbaby · 17/12/2023 16:32

Inspired by a podcast I'm listening to... wondering whether people tip their binmen and if so what with? My mum leaves beer out for them. Some people I know give cash. What do you give and how much?

OP posts:
lookingforMolly · 17/12/2023 18:51

I don't because they earn more than I do!

Dunnoburt · 17/12/2023 18:52

And I know they earn more than me because my BIL is one!!!!

FindingMeno · 17/12/2023 18:55

mogtheexcellent · 17/12/2023 16:38

Nothing, we dont have the same team each week so there no rapport.

Postie gets £30 but that is guilt money because he has to come up our drive and the rescue dog goes nuts and tries to attack him through the door.

Why don't you get a cage inside the door for the post?

lurkingfromhome · 17/12/2023 18:56

I do tip ours because we live fairly rurally and they have to make a special trip to get to our house (no other houses around). Our road is often really icy in winter but they never fail to come every single week and have never once missed a collection even in the worst of winters. So I give them £20 and a box of biscuits in the hope that they'll appreciate my gratitude and keep doing this!

christmaspaws · 17/12/2023 19:01

I don't. I do get something for the postman because if I'm working he will take the time to put parcels in the open window for me or hide them somewhere or even bring them back also he's incredibly hot

cherish123 · 17/12/2023 19:07

Never

OhmygodDont · 17/12/2023 19:08

yourturn · 17/12/2023 17:58

Really??? DH has been a binman for 17 years, it's never been mentioned or written in his contracts that they cant accept gratuities.

Show quote history

Might be an area specific thing but I was told by her and I’ve heard from local residents they cannot even get a black bin bag next to their bins taken. Recycling next to bins left too.

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/12/2023 19:10

Nothing. We both work for the same employer.

GreekDogRescue · 17/12/2023 19:11

Treesinmygarden · 17/12/2023 16:51

Same!! I swear it's on purpose.

They're not in the least bit obliging either.

Show quote history

If you tipped them they would be more helpful!

GreekDogRescue · 17/12/2023 19:13

I give the postman and the binmen 20 quid each.
I’m amazed people are claiming they didn’t know this is a thing

educatingrati · 17/12/2023 19:14

I used to, because they would often help me with the big black bin up several steps. But then the team changed, and they stopped helping, they also wouldn't empty a bit if the lid wasn't fully shut(the previous team, would take it providing it was semi-closed) so nope, no tip now.

CoatOfArms · 17/12/2023 19:17

Nothing. They come at the crack of dawn and I never see them. Don't tip the delivery drivers or the postie either.

dontbenastyhaveapasty · 17/12/2023 19:19

A box of chocs for the bin crew, something they can share on the round or in the depot afterwards, and some money - usually £15 so £5 each. And the postman:£10.

Its not really a tip in the usual sense is it, because we don’t do it every time - it’s simply a Christmas gift, a way to spread the jollity and gift-giving spirit of the season.

All you lot who have posted that you don’t- well, you’re all miserable scrooges! Don’t customers ever send festive boxes of chocs etc in to your work? Don’t you like feeling festive? (If not, I suggest you start giving; you might also end up with a bit of receiving too…)

10HailMarys · 17/12/2023 19:19

I don’t tip the bin men. I don’t know anyone who does. They do a perfectly good job but they’re salaried workers and they’re different ones each week anyway depending on which bin it is.

FriedasCarLoad · 17/12/2023 19:20

£10 binmen
£5 postie
£5 milkman Kev

All in cards made by the children. The binmen have theirs stuck to the bin and the other two are left by the door. (We're in a very safe area).

kitsuneghost · 17/12/2023 19:21

Nothing. They get paid more than me

FriedasCarLoad · 17/12/2023 19:25

birthdayday · 17/12/2023 18:19

I don't think anyone should be tipping anyone.
American companies need to start paying their employees and stop exporting their tipping culture.

Surely it's a British tradition? My great grandmother used to leave tips for the binmen and postman and milkman on Boxing Day over 100 years ago!

annahay · 17/12/2023 19:27

dontbenastyhaveapasty · 17/12/2023 19:19

A box of chocs for the bin crew, something they can share on the round or in the depot afterwards, and some money - usually £15 so £5 each. And the postman:£10.

Its not really a tip in the usual sense is it, because we don’t do it every time - it’s simply a Christmas gift, a way to spread the jollity and gift-giving spirit of the season.

All you lot who have posted that you don’t- well, you’re all miserable scrooges! Don’t customers ever send festive boxes of chocs etc in to your work? Don’t you like feeling festive? (If not, I suggest you start giving; you might also end up with a bit of receiving too…)

My head of dept sometimes buys a cake if we're really lucky.

UpUpUpU · 17/12/2023 19:28

Why are we tipping the bin men? I’m confused? They are just doing their jobs??

WhatWouldHopperDo · 17/12/2023 19:32

We always used to leave a box of beer but a couple of years ago they knocked really apologetically and said they weren’t allowed to accept it any more. They are allowed to take food though so I will take them some chocolate out when they come next week. Ours are lovely, helpful
and always put the bins back where they were.

I’ve also got some biscuits for the postman just because he’s always so cheery and friendly 😊

Alarum · 17/12/2023 19:35

I don’t tip them, and couldn’t really, as they always collect when I’m not in.

My parents and grandparents always used to do this at Christmas. No idea if they still do.

Alchemistress · 17/12/2023 19:53

£20 binmen
£20 postie

We can afford it, I don't want to do their job and are very grateful they do it well and regularly.

Just because 'it's their job' doesn't mean I don't appreciate what they do and want to spread a little cheer now and then.

WashItTomorrow · 17/12/2023 19:53

dontbenastyhaveapasty · 17/12/2023 19:19

A box of chocs for the bin crew, something they can share on the round or in the depot afterwards, and some money - usually £15 so £5 each. And the postman:£10.

Its not really a tip in the usual sense is it, because we don’t do it every time - it’s simply a Christmas gift, a way to spread the jollity and gift-giving spirit of the season.

All you lot who have posted that you don’t- well, you’re all miserable scrooges! Don’t customers ever send festive boxes of chocs etc in to your work? Don’t you like feeling festive? (If not, I suggest you start giving; you might also end up with a bit of receiving too…)

No, customers don’t ever send festive boxes of chocs to work!

I really think it’s in poor taste to hand out gifts/money- as if they’re your staff and you’re acting out lady of the manor in Downton Abbey. Especially as those workers are well paid and earn more than many.

dishyrishi · 17/12/2023 20:03

I pay my council tax

phoenixrosehere · 17/12/2023 20:07

I don't think anyone should be tipping anyone.
American companies need to start paying their employees and stop exporting their tipping culture.

Many Americans don’t tip their bin men. Definitely wasn’t something I saw growing up there. Just because it involves tipping someone, doesn’t make it American.