Another vent on tipping

[paras4ri]

Our newspaper is delivered by a grown man who drives a very nice SUV....not a neighborhood kid who's looking for spending money. I never appreciated his self-addressed, but not stamped envelopes inserted in the paper each holiday season. I call it trolling for tips and I havea to admit I acutally mailed an empty envelope back to him, postage due.

Then he really rubbed me the wrong way when he inserted a note in our paper. It said the distribution office had moved and he now has to travel farther to pick up the papers so he can't promise they'll be delivered by 6 a.m. as they're supposed to be. My first response was "get up earlier if you have to travel farther" and the lovely woman at the newspaper office agreed with me. That's REALLY put me on his bad side because he now waits to deliver our paper at the very end of his route....and either right at 6 or a few minutes late.

 

[we3luvdisney]

I use to deliver papers as a teenager and never expected any tips during the holiday season, however it was nice to receive them. How I wish I could have driven around in a car instead of walking and pulling a wagon or riding my bike. I use to get up at 4:00 AM everyday to deliver these papers (Washington Post [God, I hated those Sunday papers!] and the newspaper in Charleston, SC.)

With my route in Charleston, I use to deliver the papers to housing first before I set off on a 7 mile ride to pier Charlie to deliver 20 newspapers to the USS Hunley.

I never had to pick up my papers at a distribution center, they were always delivered to my house. If they were every late, I had to double-time to ensure I was completed so I could eat, shower and attend school.

I can say that this was NOT one of my best jobs, but I do have many stories that bring back fond memories.

 

[tiggerlover]

People like this have some nerve and their attitude really ticks me off. I don't know what has happened to people in our society, between this and the person that posted about her change going into the DD tip jar just proves it has gotten out of hand. I thought a tip was supposed to be for good service and is the choice of the person giving it?

 

[PhotobearSam]

I would want him to ask me for a tip...When I work I don't get a tip.

I agree with tiggerlover---TIPS are earned not a given...(slight pun)

 

[KimRaye]

Several late night-early morning thoughts from me ~

When I 1st saw that my Mom's paper'BOY' was leaving an envelope (also un-stamped but, addressed) I thought it quite rude. But, Mom explained, that he/she left the paper sooo early that there was NO way to catch this person if you so desired to tip at the holiday time. OK, sounds reasonable but, still presumptious, imo.

My postal carrier doesn't do anything like that!! In fact, my mail is delivered every day, rain or shine, w/o any TIP at all!!! Yes, I know they aren't allowed to 'ask' either but, it's just an example.

When I worked as a bank teller, we were Forbidden from taking anything from a customer. Too bad too, since the pay stunk!

As for the DD thread, I would've said something if this was not a regular place I visited and, the counter person just 'stole' my change!!

Heck, back when I worked (outside the home), I visited a White Hen EVERY day for my caffeine-free Diet Coke and, the only 'container' on the counter was the 'need a penny, leave a penny'! That's the BEST idea, imo!!

Not only should tips be earned but, it is VOLUNTARY on the part of the Tipper! jmo

nite, I've said my piece!

 

[Lucky4me]

I delivered papers when I was 12. We went from house to house with calendars looking for Christmas tips and did pretty well. It was a tradition, everyone did it. My sons delivered papers but no one was ever home when they brought the calendar. I think leaving the envelope is a good idea, but they should have left something along with it, at least a note. The pay these delivery people make is so low, the tips and Christmas gifts are the only thing that make it worthwhile. We make sure to tip our paper person $30 every six months and another $20 at the Holidays. My paper is there, without fail every day. I want them to know I appreciate it.

btw, that job was, to date, the WORST job I have ever had! Waking up at 3am, putting together all the papers, and then delivering them in snow, rain, wind, etc. I am so glad I don't HAVE to do that job, even in an SUV.....

 

[Lars624]

Kim - I used to be a bank teller (about 15 years ago) & I had a customer try to tip me $5.00 for cashing a check.

Does anyone else tip their babysitter? Not a regular daycare type...just a teenager you hire to go out? I don't but I have a friend who does...just wondering what you all think?

 

[A kid at heart]

They tip the babysitter on top of paying her?

This yr when the paperboy leaves me the self addressed envelope I'll have to send it back to him like that! LOL
All he does is deliver the sunday paper. I do however take care of the mailman. He gets a nice tip during the holidays.

 

[Lars624]

Yes, they give her about $5.00 an hour minimum & then tip her on top of the pay.......whatcha thinking?

 

[A kid at heart]

that makes no sense. WHy not just give her more money to begin with?

 

[Lars624]

?? I don't know ??
Makes no sense to me!

 

[mamamia]

As far as tipping the babysitter - I never did. I haven't used a babysitter in a while, but the last time I did I think it was like $4.50 and hour and if it came to 3 hrs. I'd owe her $13.50, but I would round it up and give her $14 because it was just easier for me.

 

[Lucky4me]

I've never heard of tipping a babysitter either, strange. I did used to give the sitter a little something extra for Christmas, but I considered that a gift.

 

[MeanLaureen]

I've never tipped the person that delivers our papers. Of course back when I was 8 years old I beat the pulp out of this guy because he ripped a chunk of hair out of the head of a poor 4 yr old little girl.

Yeah I know, that was 25 or so years ago but I don't forget

Besides - he keeps throwing the paper in a small 2 ft wide border in my yard

 

[jc]

I tip my paper guy every quarter. He does put the envelopes in the paper every quarter but I feel he does a great job. He drives up our drive way gets out of his car and will put the paper on our door step or in the mouth of our dog. I think if he just threw the paper in the drive way he would not get much of a tip. He's the most reliable paper person we've had and he's been our paper person for over 5 years. But as always it's up to the individual to decide whether or not to tip.

 

[Bob NC]

Every holiday season I have great intentions of catching the guy who delivers the paper in order to give him a tip of appreciation. He is there so darned early that for one reason or another the time slips by before I ever follow thru on this. I wish our paper-guy would leave an envelope, it would be much easier for me. I can see where some folks believe the paper delivery person might not be deserving of a tip, but, for those of us that think otherwise, leaving an envelope is a great idea.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

We usually get an little holiday card with our weekend newspaper with the delivery person's address on it right before Christmas. I DID send a card back with a "gift" when there was this fabulous team (I believe a daughter and her older father) who delivered our paper. They were timely and very friendly (I walk in the mornings and try to do different routes daily. Every time they saw me, no matter where I was, they would wave).

Don't know what happened, but now we have someone else who obviously doesn't give a hoot. We only get the paper on weekends and it's supposed to be there by 8 AM. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. They guy speeds down the street too.

So I'm not too sure what I will do this holiday,

 

[nhrenee]

My paper carrier just leaves us a Christmas card at holiday time. I usually give her $20 because I don't tip during the year. We live in a rural area and I LOVE getting my morning paper.

 

[paras4ri]

I'm the first person to offer a tip when it's earned. I just don't think he earns it. I forgot to mention in my earlier post that he actually puts 2 self-addressed envelopes in at holiday time, one in early December and a second right near Christmas for us slugs who ignored him the first time.

I don't feel he deserves a tip, especially with his little game he plays in delivering our paper last. I've watched him and all the neighbors have their paper and just about 6 a.m. he comes tooling down the street and tosses one our way. It's either at the end of the driveway or under a car if he puts a good spin on it.

 

[danacara]

No one ever got rich off shorting the paper delivery man or the babysitter. Sending him the envelope back empty and postage due is, in my opinion, far more pretentious than the envelope itself. Given that you did that, I'm surprised you're getting papers at all at this point, and I definitely understand his choice to drop off your paper last. Treat people as you would like to be treated. Send the man $10 for Christmas. If your paper is on your property no later than a few minutes past six every day, I'd say you have a pretty spectacular paper delivery man. (I'm lucky if I get mine by 8!)