to take xmas gifts from a neighborhood even when they're strangers' why should he be more special than the needy I wonder''
2007-10-24 05:17:18 · 26 answers · asked by bigturkeyme 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I don't give the mailman a Christmas gift. I can't afford to, and of course if you are Jewish or Jehovah's Witness you don't hand out Christmas gifts anyhow. If you can afford it, its a nice gesture. But if you can't, don't even bother your head about it.
2007-10-24 06:47:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mailmen/letter carriers are allowed to accept gifts. I believe the post office has regulations about the size and nature of the gifts. So,if someone gives the mailman a gift card for a local restaurant for $25, that would be o.k. I think larger monetary gifts are frowned upon.
Letter carriers deliver the mail in all kinds of weather (rain, sleet, snow, etc.). Some work in dangerous neighborhoods. Some actually watch out for people on their routes- especially the elderly.
So, a gift now and then is fine. It shows appreciation and that someone has noticed the good work he/she does.
2007-10-24 06:45:52 · answer #2 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a neighborhood we all got together and gave our mail carrier a gift last year. We gave her a gift certificate to lens crafters hoping she would use it to get her eyes checked and a new pair of glasses. She kept delivering mail to the wrong boxes. It worked! But only for a couple of months and then she was reassigned to a different route. Our new mail carrier is doing a good job and I'm going to put a ribbon on a pint of Jack Daniels and give to him on a cold day before Christmas. Hope he doesn't drink it before he gets off duty.
2007-10-24 05:31:43 · answer #3 · answered by DD 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the neighborhood. If you live in a small community then he might accept a platter of cookies or something, especially if he talks to you while delivering your mail. If you live in a large city and you barely know what he looks like then there probably is no problem taking him off your Christmas list. If you really don't know your mailman and still want to give him something I'd suggest a non-food item.
2007-10-24 05:30:31 · answer #4 · answered by misty h 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This guy comes to your door and brings you your mail every day reguardless of the weather. Do you tip the guy that brings you your pizza even though he gets paid by the company? In many places, people tip the mailman AND the garbageman durring the holidays as a thank you for makeing our lives easier. Look at it how you will... but it depends on your community and what you feel the proper way to handle the situation is.
2007-10-24 05:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by shadowsthathunt 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, if someone wants to give them a present, why shouldn't they accept it? They go through a lot to deliver your mail, not always in nice conditions. I give presents to the mail carriers, usually baked goods, all the time. They're peope too, and you never know, they might be needy, or maybe they need just one thing to make their day better. They do the same job everyday for years, and probably never get thanked. Think about it.
2007-10-24 05:22:20 · answer #6 · answered by Monica L 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Why not? It's common to tip mail carriers, trash collectors, etc.
And how do you know that the person giving the gift isn't also giving to the needy? One doesn't necessarily relate to the other.
2007-10-24 05:26:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
We have always given a little Christmas gift to our mailman, and to the trash collectors. When I was in sales and had sometimes daily deliveries from UPS, we gave him something too. It's a nice gesture and our service always seemed better somehow.
2007-10-24 06:14:38 · answer #8 · answered by dawnb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if they are given to them. If people are appreciative to their mail man, they will probably be appreciative of the plight of the needy. People who are thoughtful are usually generous and tend not to drop their generosity on just one group. Delivering mail is sometimes difficult and tedious. If you are satisfied with the service you've received in a year, why not gift your mail man.
2007-10-24 05:22:04 · answer #9 · answered by darkdiva 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A mail carrier isn't "more special". You are simply showing someone who does a service for you everyday that you appreciate them & what they do.
Giving your mail carrier a gift certificate to a lunch is not the same as giving volunteer hours or giving monetarily to charity.
Sheesh.
2007-10-24 05:20:47 · answer #10 · answered by mkt 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋