[jgm3279]

$$$$

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Again, our mail people are NOT federal employees. They are private subcontractors and, as such, are not subject to the federal gratuity rules. The general contractor may make good money, but our mail people do not. Frequently, especially on Mondays and after a holiday, they end up making less than minimum wage for that day. They use their personal vehicles. They lift heavy loads on a daily basis. They will stop what they are doing to answer your questions. And so in and so forth. Personally, I think our mail carriers do exceptional work and deserve every extra dollar we give them.

I wouldn't want to do either the mail carriers' nor the sanitation workers' jobs. Ditto the lawn employees (the owners do make a pretty decent income but their employees are at minimum wage or less). So, for those who want and can afford it, tip away. For those who can't, have no fear, these folks will still take good care of you. For those of you who just won't, well ......

I would finish that statement with .... " get on TOTV and bitch about it!"

I agree with the rest and would add this has to be the only place I have lived where people care what others are tipping. I almost have enough stories to write a book about tipping in the Villages.

[Bonnevie]

I woke up early 5:30 the other morning because I couldn't sleep. I expected to have to wait to be able to read the paper but was surprised to find it was there already. My carrier sent a card--of her, her husband, and what looked to be a 1 year old child. So my guess is she gets up very early to do this job and get home before her husband leaves. I admire that work ethic and I gifted her accordingly. I also gift the mail carrier. It's their job, but in the spirit of the holidays I like to show them some appreciation. I worked very hard during my life doing all sorts of jobs along the way and finally got into a good career. I value a good work ethic in others and if I can make their holidays a little brighter, I'm glad to do it.

[PaulDenise]

This thread got me to pick up a $50 gift card at Walmart for our Postal Service contractor. She works very hard and cares. As Bonnie above mentions, she has 'a work ethic and a conscience'. You don't see that much anymore.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bonnevie

I take offense at that. While there are bad employees there, there was also plenty of people who worked hard and did more than their share. I used to say if you had a work ethic and a conscience you killed yourself working at the VA. I also said it rewarded mediocrity because certain people were never asked to do more. But to make that sweeping a generalization is unfair.

I'm sorry you take offense at what I said. I was not attacking Government employees, but the federal system that is ripping off the taxpayers and future generations. I was a federal employee for 35 years because the job was too good to be true and the best way to make a living. I was an excellent and efficient worker, but I was grossly overpaid and underworked. I was a teleworker and sometimes spent months watching daytime television while making over $100K per year, because the office was overstaffed and they had no work for me and they would never reduce the staff. This situation is very typical in many federal Government offices. I think people should know how much of their tax money is being wasted by federal spending that is totally out of control.

[Opmoochler]

Originally Posted by mokey

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

If you get a package that's too big for a big mailbox, they'll deliver to the door. Our lab loves our mail carrier and greets her enthusiastically when she delivers his monthly Bark Box! His 45 lb bag of food also comes by mail and is delivered to our door with a smile. She earns her tip!

[CassieInVa]

We always tip our mail guy. He looks out for us and I get quite a few packages. I believe he is a contractor and has no issue accepting a cash tip.

[EdFNJ]

Agreed. They are doing the job they are paid to do and they really aren't that badly compensated. (Have you seen the perks of working for the Feds?). If someone went out of their way (above and beyond) that's another story. I wish someone gave me a tip when I did the job I was paid for. Would you tip a McDonalds, Wendy's or Chick-Fil-A employee? How about a Cop or Fireman? Where I live now the City Sanitation Workers make over $60K a year plus medical. They chose their career knowing full well what it's benefits are.

Give those tips to homes for battered women, the Red Cross and/or organizations that really need the cash.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! (because EVERYONE doesn't celebrate Christmas so why exclude all the others during the holiday season!)

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Call me Scrooge but I never have tipped mail employees or sanitation workers. Unless these workers are going out of their way for me I believe they dont deserve a tip. I have in the past tipped UPS workers who have had to make an exceptional number of deliveries or pickups.

Do you tip police or fireman? They are providing us as valuable a service as sanitiona and postal employees.?

[Bonnevie]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I'm sorry you take offense at what I said. I was not attacking Government employees, but the federal system that is ripping off the taxpayers and future generations. I was a federal employee for 35 years because the job was too good to be true and the best way to make a living. I was an excellent and efficient worker, but I was grossly overpaid and underworked. I was a teleworker and sometimes spent months watching daytime television while making over $100K per year, because the office was overstaffed and they had no work for me and they would never reduce the staff. This situation is very typical in many federal Government offices. I think people should know how much of their tax money is being wasted by federal spending that is totally out of control.

well, then you'll be happy to know that there's been a freeze on hiring for years. by the time I left, even if someone got hired it would often be 8 months before they could be brought on. One of the reasons I retired when I did was because I was tired of being denied time off because there wasn't enough staff.

[Jdmiata]

Originally Posted by jibuck

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

As a former postal service employee for 37 years I can tell you that "nominal" gifts are permissible. However this rule has been ignored as long as I can remember.
Give some cash to your carrier.
Merry Christmas.

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by mokey

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

I tip the mail carrier, the paper gal, the garbage men and my yard man (cash to all). I've never seen anyone turn down money.

[RickeyD]

When my ex was still cutting my hair ( when it still existed ) she would say, " what no tip ? "
I would always reply, " Beauregard in the 5th "

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by RickeyD

When my ex was still cutting my hair ( when it still existed ) she would say, " what no tip ? "
I would always reply, " Beauregard in the 5th "

Could that possibly be why she's your ex? (Sorry... I couldn't help myself!)

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by jibuck

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

Your answer is not totally correct. The postal station employees here in the Villages are Independent Contractors an as such are not Federal Employees. They get no perks from the Federal Government.

[Bogie Shooter]

It has been posted four times, our station folks are contract employees.