Holiday tipping is emphasized more in some areas than others: in the suburbs of Middle America, it can be relatively uncommon, while in some buildings in New York, it's required. Not tipping your doorman can be like slamming the door in his face.
The custom of holiday tipping may have begun because people in certain professions provide services that are worth far more than they're actually paid to perform them, and because people who work hard for lousy wages might need a little holiday financial help from grateful patrons. Either way, neglecting to tip the right people at this time of year can be a social disaster... but who are those people, and what should you give them?
Blueprint magazine has an article on their site (also published in their November/December issue, currently on news-stands): the Holiday Tip Sheet. It has etiquette advice and a printable chart (PDF) to help you figure out who (and how much) you should tip during the upcoming season, and who should receive a gift, either because they can't accept cash, can't accept gifts over a certain monetary value, or really deserve something more personal than money. Ideas for what to do when you're on a tight budget are also included.
With Blueprint's help, you'll have no problem showing the people who help you out how much you appreciate them.
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Reader comments (Page 3 of 3)
Us newspaper carriers deserve tips too. We wake up at 3 am in all kinds of weather. Pouring rain or 5 feet of snow we still have to deliver them papers. We slip and fall because people are to lazy to shovel and salt their sidewalks. We trip over garden hoses, and kids toys that were never picked up. We are out with drunk drivers and other various weirdos at that hour of the night. We work 365 days a year, and arent paid 25 bucks and hour like the mail carriers.
ReplyIf these people don't like NOT getting tips then to bad. Let them go out and get a real job.
ReplyAny fool who works for next to nothing and expects tips to make up the difference deverces what they get.
No one should feel they MUST tip.
I found a great way to tip. Instead of money I give them something to smile about a complimentary teeth whitening system for free. Just go to www.thesmilesalon.com and they will give you one for free.
Replyoh yeh by the way server min wage in NY is $4.60 per hour!!!!!
ReplyMy daughter is a hairstyist and makes minimum wage so she greatly relies on tips. They don't get the price you pay for your service unless they are the owner of the shop. So tip generously.
ReplySeriously, people... cut me a break. Why not just say anyone you come in to contact with during a day needs a tip. Hey lets just tip everyone... ridiculous. The people that need the tips are the people that never get them... how about the teachers that put up with your ungreatful kids on a daily basis or the bus drivers that drive their crazy butts to school. There are lots of people in the world that want tips but what about focusing that "tip" on people that have nothing! Put it to good use and give it to charity. You will feel a heck of alot better about yourself.
ReplyAslo remember there are some people out there that just plain cant' afford to go past that bill! they are the ones that feel the guiltiest! it's not because they don't want to tip their hair dresser it's because they can't, should that stop them from trying to look their best? I get ridiculed all the time because I don't go and get my hair done, well now yya all know why???
ReplyAdd these to your list please:
ReplyYour Mayor
The cop who tasered you for speeding
Your boss
The IRS audit guy
Your guard at the jail
The kid who got your daughter pregnant
Riddle me this! WHY give a tip BIG or small to a cabby or anyone else you'll never see again and then NEVER tip your home heat repair technician? Ya' sure hairstylists and parts counter salepersons BUT what about the guy you WILL see again, who came out a 3:00 am at 20 below zero to get that pile of junk you call a heating system to run. Waitresses, hairstylist, salesmen don't come to your house for an emergency! Do they? I've always loved how people scream "EMERGENCY" but they can never find their wallet when your done!
ReplyThis is a joke!
Reply"Historically, tips helped lower-paid workers meet the extra expenses of the holiday season," says Thomas Blaikie, author of "To the Manner Born: A Most Proper Guide to Modern Civility" ($18, Villard Books). The custom has endured as a way to acknowledge those whose efforts are often much grander than their hourly rates:"
Hairdressers are NOT low paid workers. Neither are my trash collector or manicurist and certainly not babysitters who, when you average all the children they can take in, make a decent wage. Most of these people are paid more hourly than I am when regular tips are factored in. I tip them at the time of service only. When one is truly a low paid worker, such as a waitress, I never tip lower than 15% and almost always tip 20%.
How about your card dealer at the casino? I hear, "I win you win....I only tip if I win....I can't tip if I ddon't win." How about I say, "when I leave your restaurant or store or place of business with more money than I came in with then I'll tip the staff?" If you have the money the gamble then you have the money to tip. This also goes for the slot techs,etc. I've seen people literally win thousands and stiill don't tip....not even a dollar. If it were not these people you wouldn't even have the chance to win............think about it.
Replylets don't forget the people that don't have time to do there laundry, and bring it to a drop off service. we have some that come in weekly and never leave a tip. i really like my job and our customers. it would be nice to know they appreciate what we do for them and leave a little something. hope u guys see this! merry christmas! & happy new year!
ReplyAs a food service employee, I truely belive that there are those who EXPECT those they serve to tip, no matter how aweful or cavalier they are to their assigned customers. If I provide (and when dining out, am provided) exemplary service and am tipped nicely, "Thank You." If I don't "get to you" in a timely manner after you have been seated, drop the plate in from of you after your food has been ordered, never check on you, ignore refilling your beverage, and you have to "physically" come and find me to recieve your bill, I would be surprised if I was left 5 cents!
ReplyAs with ANY "service provider," there are people who have "passion" for what they do. Then there are others who are there to "collect a check." If you are a service provider who has the passion, it will show. If you are just "going through the motions," please don't expect the people on the recieving end of your inept performance to reward you for it.
That said, my Stylist will get the usual 50% tip, PLUS a single visit price Holiday Tip, the Paper Girl & the Mail Lady get a Gold Canyon Candle plus 2 Popcorn & 2 Movie Tickets (each). My Pharmacist gets a $20 Starbucks gift card. Happy Holidays!
www.YoursToCherish.com is offering 40% off your TOTAL order w/ promo code "NEW" and free shipping.
ReplyOh come on......enough with all this tip business. What about the stay-at-home Mom's who don't get jack! When do we get tipped for busting our butts to raise productive members of society?
ReplyMarybeth......KUDOS!!! Couldn't agree more!!!
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