Do you tip your mail carrier for the holidays?

[Beavs]

I think Amy, Chris, and Janie summed up my feelings. I don't dispute that many a mail carrier works hard and anyone who really wants to tip should do so. However, if the criteria for tipping is doing one's job to the best of their ability with a smile then there are a lot more people out there deserving of a tip.

 

[diane57]

I tip $25 to the letter carrier and $25 to the newspaper guy. When I had a regular hairstylist I tipped her at the holidays, ditto for the massage therapist I saw frequently when my money situation was more flush. If I had a family member who was in the hospital for an extended period I would definitely tip or get gifts for the nurses. I don't begrudge tips to almost anyone, I like to tip well for good service in restaurants, I like to tip the maids in hotels, I like to brighten the servers' days and give them incentive to keep giving good service to people. If I did not get good service I would not tip or (at a restaurant) would tip much less.

I don't think my letter carrier and paper guy "expect" a tip at the holidays. I have no trouble tipping someone who already has a pretty good salary and benefits. They provide me with really good service and I like to make people happy by tipping. I have worked in law firms all my life and am always so happy and grateful if I work in a place that gives a year-end bonus - even though I will do a good job all year regardless, and even though my salary is ok and at many firms I've had good benefits. For me, though, I just enjoy giving things to people. (Not saying I'm a saint, because, for instance, I hate to cook and I hardly ever cook for my loved ones, so in that way I am NOT generous.) I give generous gifts to my secretary and our receptionist as well. I think it's just a matter of individual preference, DH has a staff of people who do pretty good work for him but every year he just HATES getting them holiday gifts and fusses and moans about the (to me) measly box of chocolates he gives to everyone.

 

[pjlippert]

Hi gals,

We live in a relatively small town and have the same carrier for most of the year. I write a personal card and give her a gift card of some sort. Only $5, but I also give gifts to the garbage guys and the plethora of teachers, our Pastor, etc..

We've had years where we couldn't afford anything but a card and they still appreciate the thought they we recognize their contributions to our lives.

Honestly, it's truly the thought that counts. These unsung heros keep things in our lives clean and get our Cathe DVD's comin' on time!! Oooh- now, what about the UPS guy, hmmmm.

Merry Christmas!
Pam

 

[Iris_g1]

I've never tipped my mail carrier before, but if he brings my STS Cardio workouts before christmas, I definitely will tip him, lol.

Seriously though, my brother is a mail-man and he couldn't believe I don't tip my mail man because soo many people tip him or give him christmas gifts. My mail man is not very nice. He's grumpy, and has made rude comments to my daughter about how much mail we get, so I don't think he deserves any kind of tip. If he did his job with a smile, I wouldn't think twice about giving him at least a $25. tip.

 

[Stephanie0523]

I typically leave my carrier a bag of candy, or a nice thing of cocoa. This year he's getting what my garbage men are getting: a pair of thermal socks (I got a pack of four at Walmart for $5) and a hot chocolate--put in a cute bag. $25 is WAY over my budget. I think a small gesture just to let them know you appreciate them is good enough. Especially in these tough times.

 

[jharris]

I was going to stay out of this, but I just need to state something here.

Out of curiosity - are any of you letter carriers?? Ever been a letter carrier??

My BF is a letter carrier, and while it's true he isn't 'saving lives' out there, he is doing his job. For him and all letter carriers to be judged, indicating they're not deserving of a holiday tip (all totally voluntary from the people on the routes, mind you) is unfair. He is 'dedicated' and 'works hard to make' the people on his route 'comfortable' just like a lot of other people who take pride in their work do. For a lot of people on his route, HE is the only person they see everyday. They look forward to him delivering the mail so they can see at least ONE person a day. If one of these people wants to show appreciation and offer candy, cookies, money, whatever, what's wrong with that??! And they don't 'ASK' or 'EXPECT' a tip as it seems some of you are implying.

All this comparison of letter carriers and medical workers is ridiculous. Who are any of you to tell anyone who they should tip and who they shouldn't? If I want to tip someone for good service, I'm going to tip them. What's wrong with that?

And I'm not even going into the hours worked, conditions worked in, and all the others things I never realized about letter carriers until I met my BF.

I know my situation is different because I'm on the other side, but to sit here and read all of this negativity towards letter carriers because people WANT to tip them during the holiday is really bothersome.

Attack me all you want and do what you will, but someone needed to support the other side of this conversation.

I agree with you that mail carriers have a hard job.

I work for the post office, (not as letter carrier) but see the work these guys and gals do everyday. Most of them are very dedicated to thier profession. They have to deliver in all types of weather. And I know of carriers that come in on Christmas day to make sure packages are delivered. We also have many carriers who have helped save lives.

As to tip them or not tip them is personal matter and up to YOU and the job you feel they do for you. If you think they deserve something tip them.


But I think it is unfair to compare them to other professionals.

 

[jharris]

I think it's because people send so much mail during this time of year and USPS workers really work their tushies off around the holidays, more so than usual.

We all work our tushies off, it takes a lot of people to get those carriers out the door, unfortunetely they are the ones that reap the benefits from the customers.

And as a postal worker I am thankful to have job with great benefits.

 

[Beavs]

But I think it is unfair to compare them to other professionals.

I couldn't disagree more in terms of tipping. I think we have gotten way overboard with wanting to tip so many people. Maybe I should have tipped the paramedics who showed up at the door within seconds of me calling 911 for my ailing mother. Maybe I should have tipped the bookseller in Borders who not only put the book I needed in my hand but showed me another of interest. Perhaps I should have tipped the librarian who helped with a legal reference question and I should have tipped the guy who held the door open for me at the liquor store. Everyone is looking for a tip these days. I realize most postal workers don't expect one but appears some do. I think tipping or simply saying thanks making your appreciation known is wonderful but when people feel pressured to tip or feel compelled to ask "How much should I tip?" perhaps we are getting a little carried away.

 

[Govtgirl]

I agree, tipping is waaaay out of hand. There are tip jars at Dunkin Donuts for Pete's sake! What so hard about getting a donut off the shelf that deserves a tip?

As far as the mailmen. ...they are government workers and shouldn't expect a tip. *I* am a government worker, and I sure don't expect one! To me, a tip is for extra service. Since our mailman continually gives us the next-door-neighbor's mail, I don't see that he's doing such a bang-up job.

We just got a thinly-veiled request for a tip from the ORKIN man! He comes to the house, sprays for bugs, and leaves. He's not slaying them thorugh hand-to-hand combat. Sheesh.

 

[fit44]

We just got a thinly-veiled request for a tip from the ORKIN man! He comes to the house, sprays for bugs, and leaves. He's not slaying them thorugh hand-to-hand combat. Sheesh.

LOL!

My son works for Best Buy geek squad installing home theater systems. He was tipped with deer meat last week. My DH ate our son's tip!

 

[TeTe]

Nope, I don't tip our mail person, but I DO tip our paper delivery guy. He is the best! He brings our local paper everyday, along with our NY Times on Sunday. He has never missed a morning, and every single day, the paper is so close to the door that I don't even have to step on the porch to get it! Plus, I don't think he gets paid very much or receives benefits for his job.

 

[Boingo1]

Actually there was a recent article in the newspaper this week about how government employees in MA are not allowed to accept gifts over $20. (including teachers!!!). I think it was intended for POLITICIANS , but they have to include ALL state workers.




"Those little holiday thank-you gifts are falling under more scrutiny this year, especially if the receiver is a government employee.

The U.S. Postal Service bans carriers from receiving any cash or personal checks or gift certificates or cards. They can receive gifts valued under $20, said Maureen P. Marion, a Postal Service spokeswoman. But they cannot accept any gifts of alcohol because it’s against postal regulations to carry alcohol with them on their routes.

Marion said the best gift any letter carrier can receive is for residents to clear snow from around mailboxes all winter long. "

 

[Boingo1]

And a comment on newspaper carriers.

For the last 5 years I've paid the newspaper directly through a credit card. Since that started, I stopped tipping.

But my 14 yr old son just recently got a newspaper carrier job. I see the effort he (and the entire family!) puts into this job, with the physical demands as well (delivering outside to the doorstep in all kiinds of weather). And he gets paid VERY LITTLE by the paper. He is very appreciative of all the tippers on his route!

I'm definitely sending my carrier a tip this year! I feel horrible that I've overlooked it!

 

[fit44]

I forgot to mention, I do not tip my mail carrier or UPS.
I never really thought about it until someone asked this question last year.
I really don't want to start because then I will feel obligated.
I give any extra cash I have to local charities.

 

[lioness]

I don't tip the mail carrier but I do give a $50 gift card to our lawn guy. He's been doing our lawn for 10 years and has not raised the price once. He is very, very inexpensive but does a good job.

 

[fit44]

But my 14 yr old son just recently got a newspaper carrier job. I see the effort he (and the entire family!) puts into this job, with the physical demands as well (delivering outside to the doorstep in all kiinds of weather). And he gets paid VERY LITTLE by the paper. He is very appreciative of all the tippers on his route!

I had no idea there were jobs for kids delivering papers. I thought that was a thing of the past.

That was my first job as a kid. My brother and I had our own paper stand. We sold papers to cars that drove by. After we shut our stand down for the day, we delivered papers (on bike) to the elderly who couldn't get to our stand.
We were paid 3 cents for a paper. The elderly people always tipped us in candy. We LOVED the candy!!!

 

[Boingo1]

Cynthia... It's a local town newspaper. He has 28 customers, and goes door to door with the paper every afternoon. Each customer specifies WHERE they want their paper, and he puts it exactly there , rubber banded and in a bag, every day (except Sunday). He goes door to door to "collect" too. He (we) keep track in a book of who pays, and who doesn't. It's really alot of work! LOL! The people are super nice, though, they ALWAYS tip him. It's very nostalgic to me. We always had a "kid" deliver our newspaper growing up.

The newspaper we get is the city newspaper, and it's delivered in the morning, before 6am!, by a guy in his car/truck, and put in our paper box.

 

[fit44]

What a great job for your son!
I know it is a lot of work when you are delivering on foot! I can remember the ink all over my hands, and stuffing the ads inside all the papers. My father helped with our book keeping.
We brought home a coffee can full of change everyday for him to count.
I can remember getting excited over a quarter tip. Every now and then, we would get a big spender who would give us a whole dollar!

 

[Gayle]

I agree, tipping is waaaay out of hand. There are tip jars at Dunkin Donuts for Pete's sake! What so hard about getting a donut off the shelf that deserves a tip?

ITA!!! It's one thing if someone actually MAKES you a sandwich or something, but lately I see tip jars set out just for cashing you out. WTH?

We don't tip anybody for any holiday. I tip generously to people who's total wages are actually dependent on tips (i.e. waiters, bartenders, my hairdresser who rents her chair, etc).

IMO, save all that holiday tip money for your local food shelf...they REALLY need it.

 

[atiman]

I've been tipping our mailman for last 10 years or so about $20.00-$25.00. I know that few of our neighbors tips as well. We have had this discussion once before. So if I just counted the 4 homes I know for sure that do out of the 8 home on our block, he is making at least an extra $80-$100.00 just from us alone.

The only reason I started tipping was because I worked with a lady whose husband was a postal carrier. She mentioned all the types of gifts he was given. He mostly wanted cash gifts over the bottles of alcohol, cookies, sweaters, mittens etc.. She said that he made quite a bit in tips every year. They looked foward to it because it helped cover their Christmas expenses.

It was the first time I realized that people tipped this position. She made it seemed as though tipping was more commonly done than not done. So, this why I tip.

I don't tip garbage man or UPS. I don't tip at Starbucks or places that have a tip jar. I hate those jars!!!!!