Who and how much do you tip during the holiday season?

Question

I have heard you tip your mailman, garbage man, regular hairdressor, etc etc etc. I have never spoken to my garbage men, my mailman comes when we are at work so its the same with him. My hairdressor I more than likely won't see for the holiday season. I heard on the radio that you should tip the cost of a regular visit! It seems a little extreme, the whole tipping your garbagemen and how much you are supposed to dish out to others. Anyone actually tip to this extreme? And if you are someone in one of those professions, do you expect a tip?

I don't want a list like that, thats the list I heard on the radio. I want to hear from people who actually tip those people.

Answer 1

Generally the guys at the house pitch in for our mail-lady for Christmas, but thats just us, and considering we are a Frat, and our postal lady is good looking.. well you get the idea.

As for Bar-tenders, if you happen to go to a bar during Christmas, make sure you tip well, remember that most bar tenders are college or university students who make next to nothing, and are away from home to pay education. Just a thought.. don't be a jerk when you get a brew

Answer 2

that's odd. i would say if you don't normally tip them don't. as far as when you should tip:
always tip your hairdresser at least 10% of the cost of the service. usually if i get a cut and wax my eyebrows it costs about $30 i will leave at least an extra $5 for her.

ALWAYS tip your server AT LEAST 20% especially on lower checks. most places servers only get paid a mere 2.13 an hour and if you sit longer than thirty minutes tip more. if you aren't getting up to leave then they aren't making any money off of the table you are sitting at. so if you sit there you may as well take a dollar from them for every 5 minutes you sit there if you aren't going to tip accordingly. also many of those same servers are either single mothers or college students trying to pay their own bills.

another good tip on tipping. if you feel like you should tip the person tip them. it's better to tip than to offend.

Answer 3

I think Eriayasha has about covered it all. I might give a little less if you don't have the extra money. It is the thought more than the gift itself. Everyone likes to be thanked during the holidays and be apprecitated for what they provide. Cheers and Happy Holidays.

Answer 4

CLEANING PERSON
How much to tip: The cost of one visit if they visit weekly or bi-weekly, says protocol advisor Rosanne Thomas. Up the tip amount for a cleaning person who works more often.
Exceptions: If you use a cleaning service that works in a team, a box of chocolates for the team is customary.

HAIRSTYLIST
How much to tip: The normal cost of a visit for a stylist you've used all year.
Exceptions: If your stylist doubles as a confidante, include a small personal gift that speaks to their interests as well as a monetary gift. If you don't require as much attention from your stylist or barber, you may prefer to give only about $20 as a tip during your December visit.

NEWSPAPER DELIVERER
How much to tip: $10 to $20.
Exceptions: If you tip your deliverer generously throughout the year, a smaller gift of a few dollars is customary.

LETTER CARRIER
How much to tip: The U.S. Postal service says gifts must be under $20 in value. A gift card at Dunkin' Donuts or a similar store that could serve as an off-duty for the carrier's route is acceptable.
Exception: If there is a particular example of a postal worker having gone undeterred by snow, rain, heat or gloom of night, a glowing letter or email to a supervisor may mean more than a gift, says Peggy Post, author of "Excuse Me, But I Was Next."

NURSING HOME WORKER
How much to tip: "A personal gift may be in order for someone who has been extraordinarily kind," says Thomas. Think gift baskets or homemade cookies.
Exceptions: Check with the policy at the facility. Workers often are tipped through a fund that is run by a central administrator. Some facilities ban tips and gifts on grounds of fairness.

PERSONAL TRAINER
How much to tip: $50.
Exceptions: The key question to ask yourself is whether you have an ongoing, above-average relationship with the professional, says etiquette expert Charlotte Ford. Tip at year end if you feel you've gotten above-average service year-round.

BABY SITTER
How much to tip: Two nights pay.
Exceptions: Only give a holiday tip if you've frequently used the sitter during the year or you had to call on them in an 11th hour emergency, advises Thomas Blaikie, etiquette expert and author of "To the Manner Born."