Christmas Bonus or Just Doing Their Job? Discussing Tipping Service Workers
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Do you give your bin men a tip at Christmas? Do you leave something for the window cleaner? Do you give a little extra to the paper boy? ( these people could be male or female, but that’s another topic of conversation). Or do you think they get paid enough and don’t need tipping?
I don't tip our bin men as they leave litter all down the streets ... I give the Postie, Hermes lady, Fish man and hairdresser a small gift.
I don't tip. Period. Restaurant workers, taxi drivers, cleaners. If they want more money, then they should just be honest about it by reflecting this in their prices.
Nope because bin men are rude leave bags behind. Don’t have regular delivery people but they get paid to do their job.
When I had my car accident a bin lorry couldn't turn into the street because of where my car had ended up. The one nearest me wound down the window and I was ready for a mouthful, but he leaned right out and asked, "are you all right love? "
After assuring him I was unhurt they reversed back and went another route. But I still don't tip anyone these days as they all earn more than me!
Lynibis I think it all depends on where you live my in laws bin men take extra rubbish mine same every week leave behind come up street in middle of road so nobody can pass out of street. My oh one day was on way to work they wouldn’t move so he reversed out into middle of road so they had to move back and drive sensible.
Yes, I've given to the posties who have been amazing and the three supermarket delivery drivers who've been distanced but incredibly helpful. Life would've been so much more stressful without their help this year.
There's no street cleaners or postman's these days around here (delays and such), so even if they were, they'd just be doing their job. The most I'd give is a respectful thank you.
If someone tips you, that's a gesture of kindness, not an obligation.
I don't give a tip to any of these people, as never see the bin men, our window cleaner doesn't normally come in December, normally he takes a long haul holiday Dec/Jan & I don't have a paper boy, but if I did I would.
But saying that I always tip my hairdresser, I think it's because I am in there for hours & it's a more personal service.
I don't tip the bin men as all they do is chuck them all over the place. But our post lady on the other hand we gave some chocolates and bits to for xmas as she goes round and puts the post round the back. Was always brought up to look after those who look after you and thats what I do. But at the same time try and look after the less fortunate or vulnerable. Merry Christmas all
I think tipping is something that should be normalised but it also shouldnt be expected. When I used to do paper rounds as a child, the area I worked was mainly full of old people and they would often give me £5 or £10 during Christmas which was always lovely.
flipside Really?????!!!!!! You were accepting money from pensioners who had only a small income to live off. When I was a teenager I delivered leaflets, brochures and catalogues and not once did it occur to me to expect money for handing over Avon's orders, small items that could be delivered by me instead of it being posted or using a delivery driver.
Yes I usually leave a note saying "just a tip aim for the bin lorry not the road" They literally may as well empty our bins over the road and call it a job.
Our postman is great. He always looks out for the elderly on his round. He hides parcels if I’m not in, and is always friendly. I have given him a gift to acknowledge the extra he does.
Good grief $8 has got to be at least £5, surely that's on top of her wage. Disgusting behaviour as I assume they had already paid for the food and tipping isn't mandatory.......is it
Lynibis Iv always understood it that in the USA whilst tipping isn't exactly mandatory it is more expected that'll you'll do so than it is perhaps here. Whilst I mostly always do & am happy to leave a tip I certainly wouldn't like being expected too.
I always tip staff when I'm out for a meal unless I'm especially unhappy with food/service. Likewise I always tip take away/ delivery guys. Also tip taxi drivers, hairdressers & window cleaner. Iv always done it but tbh I think it's because I always saw my dad doing it growing up.
The only places I tip are hairdressers, taxis and restaurants unless it's particularly bad service.
I generally do not tip these chaps anymore as I have noticed the service has changed since I have moved areas. I only tip my hairdresser and in restaurants for great personal service. Xx
I don’t see the bin men, they come too early. We don’t have a regular postie. I do tip in restaurants as I know how little they get paid but the tips should be shared with the kitchen staff too rather than just pocketed.
Tips very rarely make the kitchen. I once gave a tip and asked that it go specifically to the kitchen and by the time I'd collected my coat Chef had arrived and thanked me, it was after all him/his team that had cooked the food, the waitress just carried the plate to the table. 
lilyflower it is very rare however the pub I used to work in as a kitchen runner, the tips were split between everyone. It only used to end up being about £4 by the time it was split, however that used to be loads to me as a younger girl!
Pjran lol well I started working there in 2010 so not all that long ago, still over 10 years 
lilyflower I would never have thought of doing this - giving a tip specially to the kitchen staff.
I recently returned to the U.K. and there was this little sticker...
Honestly, I see no problem with it as long as it's optional, unlike in countries such as the U.S. where it's out of control and even the robots should for some reason be given a tip (not a joke).
Not to mention I hate self-checkout machines and how they always need human assistance whenever they run into issues. 
Only person I tip is the lady who cleans our room when we're on holiday, window cleaner charge's £9 so he ain't getting owt, bin men make a mess, and we have a different postman every week
If I go out for a meal and get good service I usually tip 10% . The window cleaner earns enough with the money he charges. Bin men are a pain with leaving bins. I’ve had that many postmen so don’t bother.
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