Last year I chose not to give out tips to the individuals I normally would have tipped at the holidays–trash collector, postal service person, newspaper delivery dude–as a way to save money. I even avoided getting a haircut–or getting my kids’ hair cut–near the holidays so I wouldn’t have to add in a big tip to the 20% I already give.
Seems I wasn’t alone in being somewhat Scrooge about tipping last year. According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, during the 2008 holidays, fewer people than in the previous year tipped their newspaper carrier, barber, mail carrier, hairdresser, manicurist, and garbage collector.
I know I thought the economy was bad last year, which is why I cut back–and felt guilty about it, for sure–but I’ve got to say that I feel like it’s worse now. In fact, another Consumer Reports survey conducted in October 2009 shows that the downward trend might continue: 26 percent of Americans who usually tip or give a gift to a service provider said they would spend less this holiday season than last. (Gee, what’s less than zero?) Just 6 percent said they planned to spend more.
Wondering what other people spend on tipping?
Fifty-eight percent of people tip their house cleaners (who can afford to keep a house cleaner?), averaging about $50 or an equivalent gift per tip.
The people tipping their manicurist (again, do your nails at home) give $10 whereas pet-care providers get $25, down from $30.
Most other people give tips of anywhere from $10 to $40 to their child’s teacher, the mail carrier, lawn-care crew (not gonna comment….) and garbage collector. I know people who live in apartments have doormen and superintendents to worry about tipping, too.
If the tipping budget is tight this upcoming season, Consumer Reports experts recommend saying thanks with a card or a homemade gift. I think baked goods are always welcome though with the trash collector, I might just hand out $10 to each guy–I wouldn’t want to encourage them to eat any cookies if they can’t wash their hands first.
READ LEAH ON HOME GOES STRONG
I tip…. generally the same as before. Many of the service people I interact with own their own small businesses. As a business owner myself, I know things have tightened up. So, I tip. Not for trash worlers or newspaper delivery (those are large companies), but my manicurist, my hair dresser, my house cleaner – generally 20%.
I compensate in our budget by eating out less, eating leftovers, freezing fresh produce I can’t eat as quickly, buying books from a used book store, etc.
It works for me.
That’s a great way of thinking about tipping. I’m surprised, though, at your decision not to tip the trash folks and the newspaper delivery people. I get the sense they’re not getting rich doing what they do, which is why I feel inclined to tip them. Thanks for posting your comment.
I think it’s especially important to give a holiday tip to those who would need it most, such as the newspaper delivery driver, the guy who brings my take out dinner, the guy who helps me to my car with my groceries, etc. These are the folks making minimum wage (if they’re lucky). Ten bucks out of my wallet really won’t break my bank; but it could really make a difference for someone in dire straits. And considering the state of the economy, there are lots of people in dire straits.
My childcare provider will get a tip because come on, what more important job is there? I want to show her I am grateful for the work she does. I also tip my UPS guy because he goes above and beyond to make sure that I get my packages on time, even hiding them on the side of my house for me when I’m not home, which I really appreciate. Same goes for USPS. They take care of me; I want to take care of them. I run a business out of my home and rely on good mail service.
I feel like I’ve been so fortunate during this Recession, with both my husband and I remaining steadily employed. I feel this is not the time to be miserly but instead, time to share our blessings.
That’s an excellent sentiment, Cynthia!
We always give a holiday tip to the newspaper delivery people and the recycling guy. They give us cards with envelopes so we can mail them – so I include a note telling them I value their service. Because we often see our regular mail carrier and have a friendly relationship with him, we hand him a card with a tip and personal note. If we are having a good year, we will give more. In bad years (like 2008 and 2009), the tip will be minimal but still something. I don’t know what to do about the trash haulers – I’m never around when they pick up and don’t know if it’s the same guys every time. We don’t contract for any other regular services so our holiday tip budget is pretty small.
I have never tipped any of these people just because it’s Christmas. Bah humbug of me, of course, but they are doing a job for wages. Just like I do. Where’s the extra service in that? They’re SUPPOSED to bring me my mail and pick up my garbage and leave a newspaper in the little box. The postal workers are often paid better than I am in the first place.
This is true, Julie. I never thought about tipping this way.
In our area, both trash services and newspaper deliveries are handled by large companies. It’s true that the people they employ may not be making a lot, but at least they have a job and a dependable source of income.
I guess there are as many ways of looking at this as there are individuals! I’d say that’s probably a good thing.
Thanks, Leah
I still tip the newspaper delivery person. I appreciate them getting up early and putting our paper in a convenient spot. Plus I can’t imagine they make much. When we had a house cleaner, we gave them an extra paycheck because again, they didn’t really make much and they were self-employed. As for my regular hairdresser, I usually brought a small gift, like a candle, cookies, candy or something like that. As for the trash collectors, I don’t even know who they are and they work for a big company.
I am probably one of the worst tippers– even in restaurants. I struggle with how much and how often to tip my hairdresser– for every cut, at the holidays??? As for some of the people who provide services around our home– the garbage/recycling crews and letter carrier are out there no matter the weather and in our area I believe the newspaper delivery people use their own car for the job. Just a couple more factors in considering a show of appreciation for not-so-cushy jobs. I could probably go off on a rant over tipping baristas at drive through coffee stands. How is that any different than drive through service at regular restaurants– especially on a $4 coffee?
I don’t understand the need to tip. I live in Australia and don’t tip anyone at any time. Most Aussies are the same. You get paid wages to do a job by your employer. If I go out for a meal, then I pay a fair price for the meal (sometimes much more than the meal is worth). Why should I pay extra on top of this.
Around 10 years ago, we went on Holidays to the USA. I didn’t tip there either and once again, I wasn’t alone.