Did I tip okay?

[sharlon]

Not a large city here. The garbage tips I quoted are in a small town in the mountains of North Carolina.
Basically, I look at tipping this way. If someone does an exceptional service for you throughout the year, than honoring them with a gift is appropriate if you can afford it. Since you don't really know them personally, then cash would be an appropriate gift (thus a tip).
Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

 

[pearlieq]

How would I tip the garbageman--tape it to the can?

That's kind of what I wondering too!

 

[sharlon]

Actually some do tape it to the cans. Others watch for the truck and hand deliver it and a few mail it into the office noting their address. The lady in the office collects them for each driver and helper and gives the envelopes to them.

 

[sasywtch]

One of these days I'm going to be able to quit saying "I'm new" but have read the boards for years.

I lived in a state down south that had private garbage pickup with guys who didn't make much, got out of the truck to lift the cans. You could burn so didn't have to have garbage pickup. I made them cookies/candy. The mail people used their own cars, didn't make much so left something for them.

Here the garbage is county run and you pay or you get a lien. They make more than I do and never get out of the truck. The mail people are well paid. I do not tip here or make anything for them here. I'm a government employee and do okay--but with furloughs, have cut down alot. In the previous state, I can see some of the tipping but definitely not where I live now.

I don't understand the logic either with all the tipping. I can see if you have a regular babysitter/cleaner as that would be like me giving something to someone I work with/for. Years ago when I was growing up here, the garbage men were poorly paid, got off the trucks and knew everyone. I'm thinking that's when the tipping started but since it went county and they are paid very well, never get out of the truck, no one tips here anymore and probably the younger people wouldn't have a clue that it was ever done. Having lived in two complete different areas, I can see why some do and some don't.

 

[patsal]

Teacher here who does not tip teachers, and I have never been given a tip either. I'm not sure what the guidelines are stating, but government workers cannot accept tips. Postal workers, county or town refuse workers, public school teachers, bus drivers. etc. are not supposed to accept flat out cash tips. If we have no way of reporting it as income and can't be taxed on it we cannot accept it. Gifts are a bit different, within reason we can accept them, but not cash.

 

[maiyasgram]

I have a cleaning lady, and she comes every week. So for her, I give two weeks' pay for Christmas.

I do not tip any furniture delivery people. I've never met anyone who would - they are paid well. I do offer a drink if it's hot out.

If it's a one time thing, I wouldn't even worry about tipping.

I just switched back to my "old" hairdresser, and honestly, gave nothing above a normal tip last week.

I have tipped the furniture delivery people. Not a percentage of the purchase, just a few dollars.

Cherie

 

[mjkacmom]

I have tipped the furniture delivery people. Not a percentage of the purchase, just a few dollars.

Cherie

$5 - $10 per person, depending upon the size of the furniture or appliance. I honestly don't know of anyone here who doesn't tip these people (I've gotten many phone calls "quick, how much do I give them?!"

 

[dispor]

I have never considered a maid to be a tipped position.

As far as it being a holiday gift - the maids are employees of the cleaning company. The cleaning company should be responsible for providing their holiday bonus.

OP, I think it was a very nice thing for you to do.

 

[thefirebuilds]

Teacher here who does not tip teachers, and I have never been given a tip either. I'm not sure what the guidelines are stating, but government workers cannot accept tips. Postal workers, county or town refuse workers, public school teachers, bus drivers. etc. are not supposed to accept flat out cash tips. If we have no way of reporting it as income and can't be taxed on it we cannot accept it. Gifts are a bit different, within reason we can accept them, but not cash.

Postal workers may accept up to $20 value of a gift, by law. It's on the books.

BTW, they will accept more, happily. And for outstanding service mine receives more.

as far as the maid, i strenously disagree with the post above mine, it is a service, and all services are "tippable."

 

[shoes99]

I had an emergency refrigerator delivery on Christmas Eve from Lowes. They came at 3:30PM, set everything up as advertised, and we gave the driver and helper $10 each. I know we didn't have to, but I was grateful..