Forum Topic

Should one tip at Christmas?

In days gone by, we used to tip the postman, our window cleaner and the rubbish collecting man(sorry, or woman) at Christmas. Is tipping done these days?  And if so how much should be offered please?

Gerry Tan ● 4512d24 Comments

Defiantly parking attendants Keith, But I think vermin is a suitable term for them. Although I admit I parked on a yellow line every day for 18 months in Mayfair. The attendants used a garage just across from my site to take a break and I took a photo of 2 sleeping in uniform informing them I would post it on facebook if I ever got a ticket they also warned me if their supervisor was touring the area. Nice guy’s shame about their choice of occupation.

Tony Maxey ● 4499d

Who is that remark directed at Tony?

Keith Iddon ● 4499d

A "legitimate target" of parking wardens.

Nigel Brooks ● 4499d

W-Anchors

Tony Maxey ● 4499d

Or maybe a stealth,befitting the way they sometimes hide and pounce when you're not looking...but I think 'An unpopularity of traffic wardens' wins it for me.

Keith Iddon ● 4499d

How about a posse of parking wardens Keith?

Gerry Tan ● 4499d

I wonder what the collective noun is....any suggestion?

Keith Iddon ● 4499d

If you want to see them 'socialising' go to Mattock Lane any afternoon where they hang around in groups of three or more studiously ignoring all of the non-disabled drivers filling the disabled parking  bays.

Nigel Brooks ● 4499d

I have often wondered where parking attendants socialise whether they congregate on mass in one area or just keep themselves to themselves. I have yet to meet anyone who has a parking attendant as a friend if they do then they certainly keep it quiet.

Tony Maxey ● 4499d

Was that in response to no tip?

Charles Campbell ● 4500d

Tony?Tipping them into what? :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4500d

How about tipping parking attendants they work during all weather always smiling they walk for miles to find that elusive vehicle that the owner that has under paid their pay and display whilst doing Xmas shopping. Not forgetting that the revenue raised gives our council plenty of cash flow to build car parks and such.

Tony Maxey ● 4500d

I  can't get enough of the postie elastic bands. Free elastic bands six days a week and for fifty-two weeks of the year! How can anyone complain about that? I can't even remember the last time I bought some, even though I use them most weeks.I do tip my postie because he does such a marvellous job. He loves his cricket too!

Ben Owen ● 4501d

Good point, Steve. In fact, stop scrunching my post up in rubber bands altogether!

Susan Kelly ● 4501d

I've a tip for posties - please stop dropping elastic bands on my doorstep!

Steven Diver ● 4501d

Won't be tipping any Royal Mail employees this Christmas.I have sent four inland parcels this year. Royal Mail have lost one sent Special Delivery and stolen two mobile phones from another sent Recorded Delivery (they left all of the other contents - funny that) compensation case still on going.

Nigel Brooks ● 4510d

There's more to working as a postman - quite often people aren't at home to receive a small parcel and the postman has to ask a neighbour to take it and the postman has then to write a confirming note to say where the parcel is located, usually with the temporary holder's name and address.  Also, as Susan says, there's the friendliness and other neighbourly duties. And working in inclement weather conditions, not to mention dangers from angry dogs(and people)!

Gerry Tan ● 4510d

Well, not all of them manage that, Jack. I guess it's to do with attitude, being friendly and cheerful as they stand on the doorstep in the rain, with yet another parcel from Amazon, waiting for me to answer the door.

Susan Kelly ● 4511d

Whats the difference between a good service and a bad service that a postie gives surely all they have to do is put the mail through the correct letterbox

Jack Ryan ● 4511d

My milkman is brilliant - fresh milk delivered to the door and I can put the used bottles on the doorstep to be reused again and again and again.Nowadays you can buy other things from the milkman which is very useful if you can't go out and you can do it all online. You don't have to buy all your milk from him either.  I just buy a small regular amount.  On snowy mornings it is wonderful to know you don't have to go out and for that alone he deserves a Christmas tip.I reckon a trip to the supermarket is more expensive in the number of things you buy which you didn't intend to - especially when you are hungry and are out buying the milk for breakfast!

Philippa Bond ● 4511d

There's an article by Toby Young in this week's Spectator, detailing how he follows LB Ealing's bin men along his street every week with a black sack, picking up all the stuff they drop.Our regular postie does give good service; he wouldn't get a tip otherwise.

Susan Kelly ● 4512d

Yes, I tip only for pleasing service. Our postmen and window cleaners are excellent, friendly and regular. So are our rubbish collecting men, but one or two of 'em are rather haphazard and some are downright surly - but so essential.

Gerry Tan ● 4512d

Isn't the rule you should only tip for good service?

Christine Daniels ● 4512d

I do tip the postman. I think I gave him 20 quid last year, though it might have been only ten. Don't bother with anyone else, though.

Susan Kelly ● 4512d