[dizz42]

This will be our first Christmas in The Villages and I would like opinions on Christmas gifts for service people. Up north, we would mail a check to our newspaper delivery person. For the trash collectors, we would tie a card with cash onto the trash can handle. For the mailman, I would put cash in an envelope and tape it to a box of candy and put it in the mailbox.

What do folks do here and how much to you give (if you don't mind sharing)? Thanks.

[jblum8156]

Usually the newspaper delivery person will send you a Christmas card with their name and address, so you can send check or cash. We don't have a milkman here, more's the pity. And there is no trash can handle, so I don't know what you do about that. I suppose you coud put cash/candy in your mailbox at the mail delivery station, don't know, I've never done it.

[hunt9791]

USPS does not allow their employees to accept cash...just found that out. So I guess all those 20's were turned in over the years.

[golf2140]

I give a gift to our postal person. Put cash in a card then hand it to her at the postal station. The news paper peron sends a card with address that you can send a gift to.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by hunt9791

USPS does not allow their employees to accept cash...just found that out. So I guess all those 20's were turned in over the years.

The people who put the mail in the boxes are not USPS employees -- they're subcontractors. I don't know if they are prohibited from taking Xmas gifts by USPS, but I do know that they get gifts and greatly appreciate them. I usually give $20 to my mail person (drop it off at the mail boxes for them and make sure it is my regular delivery person and not a sub) and mail $20 to my newspaper person. I give my lawn person a one-month bonus (or I do if I'm happy with the work). I leave a couple bottles of whiskey or two 6-packs for the trash guys. I just put them near the garbage but not on it and I make sure to get up early in the am to put it out so that someone doesn't steal it the night before.

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I leave a couple bottles of whiskey or two 6-packs for the trash guys. I just put them near the garbage but not on it and I make sure to get up early in the am to put it out so that someone doesn't steal it the night before.

Smart move to get up early and put them out just before the trash is collected.

Last year I scored 27 cases of beer and 42 bottles of whiskey. I'm running low and hope to do a repeat this year. I was only two houses in front of the trash truck last time and they kept swearing at me, this year I'll plan a little better.

BTW, this is my small contribution to the safety of TV. Who would want a drunk garbage man driving that big truck? No thanks are necessary.

Excuse me while I go get a drink. (Only two bottle left.)

One last note: please leave Makers Mark or Jack Daniels.

[redwitch]

Sorry, my guys like Johnny Walker Red and Sam Adams Xmas Ale (wish they had cheaper taste rofl).

[mokey]

I catch the trash men and give them each a cash donation. These guys are probably the most under appreciated of all the service people who serve you.

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by mokey

I catch the trash men and give them each a cash donation. These guys are probably the most under appreciated of all the service people who serve you.

If you google garbage men in NYC you'll see a number of articles that say they make $80,000/year.

From my knowledge of pay in this area I would guess they make about 1/4 of that amount.

Location, Location, Location.

[dizz42]

Thanks, All, for the input. Your experience is very helpful! Question, though...are there usually two people collecting the trash? Or are there three or more?

[redwitch]

Grass is usually 2. Garbage seems to vary. I know my route has 2 regular guys and, on occasion, a third (I get up early and smoke outside). Of all of your service providers, the garbage guys usually have the highest rate of pay, at least they did in California and I'm assuming they do here. I do know the mail people have to bid for their postal stations and the lowest bid wins (they actually are sub-sub-contractors -- nice system for the guy who gets the bid from USPS and then bids it out). Not sure what the story is on the paper delivery, but I'm assuming they have to buy the newspapers, the bags, the gas and get up at ungodly hours to assemble and deliver. If you use a service like Daisy Maids to clean your home, they get about $7.35-$8.50 an hour. (If you have a housekeeper, you can easily figure out their hourly rate.) Sadly, our service workers really are grossly underpaid.

[Hancle704]

In our neighborhood it seems that we have several different garbage crews as there are different drivers and sometimes one and sometimes two on back of truck and then there are the guys on the recycling truck. Not the same each week.

Wonder if they pool all tips and share?

[dizz42]

Originally Posted by Hancle704

Wonder if they pool all tips and share?

Interesting thought! That would be nice!

Originally Posted by redwitch

Sadly, our service workers really are grossly underpaid.

Yes...it's unfortunate and that's why I think it's important to try to give a little extra something if possible.

[Talk Host]

I still wonder why it is expected that one should "tip" the garbage man and the letter carrier. I know this is an old argument, but they are being paid to do their job. You were paid to do your job. I am paid to do my job (almost) and nobody gives us tips.

Where will it end. We're expected to tip the housekeeper in the hotel, but not the desk clerk. The table server but not the greeter. (host) The newspaper carrier, but not the reporter. The tour guide and bus driver, but not the travel agent. The crew on the fishing boat, but not the captain.

I need a part time job:

Tips:

Taxi driver
Valet
Dog Groomer
Mail Carrier
Newspaper carrier
Doorman
Concierge
Tour Guide
Coat checker
Bar Tender
Hair stylist
Barber
Kids Teacher
Tips jars
Fedex
Pizza Delivery guy
Sherpa guide
Forum administrator (nice ones only)


Whew. Are tips tax deductible?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I still wonder why it is expected that one should "tip" the garbage man and the letter carrier. I know this is an old argument, but they are being paid to do their job. You were paid to do your job. I am paid to do my job (almost) and nobody gives us tips.

Tips:
Forum administrator (nice ones only)

I've mailed each Admin a Canadian Dollar.