Christmas Tips to Workers

[Spectreron]

How much $$ do you give for Christmas to your hired service people, i.e. Lawn, pool, newspaper person, etc. ?

[bagboy]

$25 is a nice way to say thank you and Merry Christmas to anyone who you feel provides a worthwhile service in a professional manner.

[CWGUY]

How much $$ do you give for Christmas to your hired service people, i.e. Lawn, pool, newspaper person, etc. ?

$25 is a nice way to say thank you and Merry Christmas to anyone who you feel provides a worthwhile service in a professional manner.

:wave: Please don't forget the postal people.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

[bagboy]

:wave: Please don't forget the postal people.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

They were first on the list 😃

[Bogie Shooter]

No set scale.
Give what you can that makes you feel good.

[Mleeja]

:wave: Please don't forget the postal people.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Can postal workers accept tips? After all they are government employees.

[jnieman]

Can postal workers accept tips? After all they are government employees.

I think ours are contractors.

[ttown]

I give to the trash collectors. They work very hard and seldom get appreciation.

[billethkid]

I think ours are contractors.

Yes they are.

[redwitch]

Most of the workers are subcontractors. If they drive a USPS mail truck, they're federal employees and not allowed to receive tips. If you see a private vehicle for the carrier at your station, that person is a subcontractor and bids for the job. They work hard for us, receive a poor wage and most definitely deserve our tips. Ditto the newspaper delivery folks.

If you're going to tip your lawn guys, give the tip directly to each individual. Adding the tip to your monthly payment pretty much guarantees that the guys who actually do the work won't see a dime in most cases. Ditto your house cleaners.

[Villageswimmer]

I give to the trash collectors. They work very hard and seldom get appreciation.

I agree, but how do you do this?

[ttown]

It isn't easy, but if you wave a card at them they will stop. They may even toot the horn...

[NavyNJ]

Most of the workers are subcontractors. If they drive a USPS mail truck, they're federal employees and not allowed to receive tips. If you see a private vehicle for the carrier at your station, that person is a subcontractor and bids for the job. They work hard for us, receive a poor wage and most definitely deserve our tips. Ditto the newspaper delivery folks.

If you're going to tip your lawn guys, give the tip directly to each individual. Adding the tip to your monthly payment pretty much guarantees that the guys who actually do the work won't see a dime in most cases. Ditto your house cleaners.

Hmmm.......not sure that being a contractor for USPS, and working at TV Mail Stations makes a person different from an actual USPS worker at a real Post Office. The company the bid for, and won the contract for those services almost certainly had to sign/agree to provisions in their contract that addressed "ethics" issues, including accepting gifts (better word than "tips").

Having said that, either contactor or regular USPS employee is allowed to receive cedrtain "gifts" valued at $20 or less, including gift cards (can't be convertible directly to cash though). There is a long list of items that can be given, as well as a list of items that cannot (alcohol, event tickets, large gift cards >$20, etc.). Having given all our local service people small gifts from the time I was a kid in the 60's (stuff like handkerchief packs (haha! good luck giving someone those anymore!!), a tie, heavy socks, or, in some cases, a 5th of whiskey (nothing expensive!)), I would not be concerned about what I chose to give someone deserving at Christmas.

Happy Holidays to All!!

[CWGUY]

:ohdear: 12 years ago when we moved here, we started at $25.00 gifts and have increased since. Nobody has gone to jail yet... let's not over think this.

I get good service and I want to make the Holidays a little better for some people.

When my postal worker (not mailman) sees me - he calls me by name and I do the same with him. Get to know the people a little. I have had him bring packages to my house. Much better than driving to Lady Lake P.O.

IMHO people that want to tip.....TIP. :ohdear: Not find reasons not too! Or for that matter ask what is correct. I would think there is no right answer. :)

[D&Lsunfun]

The newspaper person that delivers your paper to our driveway, everyday. Working for pennies to deliver the newspaper and paying the up keep on their vehicle. Besides the fuel cost. I consider their service, tip worthy.

[CWGUY]

The newspaper person that delivers your paper to our driveway, everyday. Working for pennies to deliver the newspaper and paying the up keep on their vehicle. Besides the fuel cost. I consider their service, tip worthy.

:agree:

[ajbrown]

I agree, but how do you do this?

We leave cookies out on a paper plate in the driveway. They are always gone in the AM. Last year the folks must have been hungry as the cookies were gone and the plate was chewed up.

[Happinow]

I make about 6-8 different kinds of cookies and candies and do them up festive along with a Christmas card and my service people always light up. I'm sure they get hungry along the route and home made goodies are always welcome.

[Villager Joyce]

We leave cookies out on a paper plate in the driveway. They are always gone in the AM. Last year the folks must have been hungry as the cookies were gone and the plate was chewed up.

:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow:

[Shimpy]

I give to the trash collectors. They work very hard and seldom get appreciation.
Whoever picks up you trash that day is the one assigned to that truck. You probably gave to a trash collector that happened to be assigned to that truck that day and never picked up your garbage before. He'll probably never be on your route again but appreciates your tip.

[CFrance]

It's probably a big no-no, but we always leave a case of beer out for the trash collectors. In MI they would leave a thank-you note saying they would be back at the end of the route to pick it up. Probably not allowed to drive around with beer in the truck. During the year, since we're not beer drinkers, we leave extra beer out that we got in for company.

I tip my hairdresser the amount of what I normally spend per month, and the hair washer $25, and the postal worker $25. When we had a single cleaning lady, we tipped her every year. But now four people come to clean, and not always the same ones. I'm drawing the line on that one.

In MI we had the same UPS guy for a decade. He always brought treats for the dogs. We used to tip him. Anyone who drags a 35 lb. CQR anchor out of the truck and up to the door deserves a tip.

[Fraugoofy]

It's probably a big no-no, but we always leave a case of beer out for the trash collectors. In MI they would leave a thank-you note saying they would be back at the end of the route to pick it up. Probably not allowed to drive around with beer in the truck. During the year, since we're not beer drinkers, we leave extra beer out that we got in for company.

I tip my hairdresser the amount of what I normally spend per month, and the hair washer $25, and the postal worker $25. When we had a single cleaning lady, we tipped her every year. But now four people come to clean, and not always the same ones. I'm drawing the line on that one.

In MI we had the same UPS guy for a decade. He always brought treats for the dogs. We used to tip him. Anyone who drags a 35 lb. CQR anchor out of the truck and up to the door deserves a tip.
Coors light?

[CFrance]

Coors light?
Ha ha! If you prefer.:icon_wink:

[sunny46]

They can accept tips and appreciate them. Both my husband and I worked for the USPS for 30 years and always received tips from our customers. And now that we are retired, we continue to give to our wonderful carrier, Cindy.

[Shimpy]

The newspaper person that delivers your paper to our driveway, everyday. Working for pennies to deliver the newspaper and paying the up keep on their vehicle. Besides the fuel cost. I consider their service, tip worthy.


They get my biggest tip. Not only do they get the paper in your driveway but at a very early hour. I'm mostly impressed that they seem to be a better weather forecaster than the weatherman. They seem to know when to double wrap the paper so we always get a dry paper.

[Madelaine Amee]

Postal worker that we know and she knows us and she's just so accommodating. Newspaper delivery person, does a great job, I always get my newspaper right at the garage door. My hairdresser because he is great. Also, the wait staff at our favorite watering hole. My yard guy. Trash collectors - where we used to live the trash collectors left a trail of trash behind their truck, here they are super clean. Life is good in TV :)

[SeaCruiser]

I gave the trash collectors and recycle guys $5 gift cards to Subway! I know it isn't a lot but it is a gesture of my appreciation. Their faces all beamed with smiles! 😄

[bluedog103]

They can accept tips and appreciate them. Both my husband and I worked for the USPS for 30 years and always received tips from our customers. And now that we are retired, we continue to give to our wonderful carrier, Cindy.
I always tip the postal folks. Being snowbirds that means both the
northern and southern workers. I never have a problem with mail forwarding or holds. The workers, both in NY and FL, know who we are and look out for us.

[fourandrew]

to the person that posted on another thread that the postal workers knew they were getting a minimum wage job and don't deserve tips, because then you would have to pay the golf ambassadors a tip for starting you---boy how heartless can you be---these people work hard 6 days a week, yes probably for minimum wage--my wife and I were blue collar workers and I know what it's like not to even get a hello from people like you---don't worry--my wife and I gave all 4 postal contractors a gift card to dunkin donuts. You remind me of people like Thurston Howell from Gilligan's Island--always looking down on working people----try a cup of decaf.

[CFrance]

to the person that posted on another thread that the postal workers knew they were getting a minimum wage job and don't deserve tips, because then you would have to pay the golf ambassadors a tip for starting you---boy how heartless can you be---these people work hard 6 days a week, yes probably for minimum wage--my wife and I were blue collar workers and I know what it's like not to even get a hello from people like you---don't worry--my wife and I gave all 4 postal contractors a gift card to dunkin donuts. You remind me of people like Thurston Howell from Gilligan's Island--always looking down on working people----try a cup of decaf.
Or maybe even a cup of humble.

[dbussone]

You know, it's just nice to be nice! People work hard and deserve appreciation. Even a smile and saying thanks goes a long way. It's easier and more fun to smile than frown.