By Heather O.
I got an envelope in my newspaper the other day. It was a Christmas card, with a happy little note from my newspaper carrier, and then an envelope tucked inside the card with his name and address on it.
Um, am I suppose to tip him?
If so, what is an appropriate amount?
Also, do any of y’all tip your mail carrier, and if so, how? Put a little note inside the mailbox that says, ‘HEY, MAIL CARRIER DUDE. THIS IS FOR YOU, SO DON’T TRY TO MAIL IT.’
And again, how much do you give the mail guy for Christmas?
And if somebody gives you a lovely yummy edible bit of Christmas goodness, but you yourself are fresh out of yummy edible Christmas goodness, should you just whip up a batch of goodness to give to said person, even though it’s um, sorta obvious it’s an afterthought?
And what it you, um, kinda suck at whipping up yummy edible Christmas goodness? Would a sonnet do instead? Okay, so I kinda suck at sonnets, too…um, a Christmas limerick? People like a clever Christmas limerick, right? Better for the waistline, too. Laughing burns like, 3 kajillion calories. Who wouldn’t want that at Christmas? That’s like the best Christmas present EVER.
Please tell me if you give christmas ‘bonuses’ to your community workers. And if you can toss me a clever limerick or two, aka THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER, I will send you yummy edible goodness.
Just kidding.
No goodness. I’m fresh out of goodness.
Good limerick vibes, though…I’ve got those.
Do you think my newspaper carrier would appreciate them?
I have no advice, but I’ll seek some here as well. The only people I’m planning on doing something for for Christmas is my son’s teachers and therapists. But there are quite a few, so I can’t get them much. I was thinking some cute blank note cards (because teachers need to send home notes to parents, or congratulations to kids, or whatever). I know there are some teachers around here. Would those be useful and appreciated? Do you have any other ideas? (I think we had this conversation last Christmas, or maybe at the end of the year, but I don’t remember.)
Comment #1 by VadaDecember 13th, 2009 at 8:54 pmI meant *are* my son’s teachers and therapists. I can do subject/verb agreement, really.
Comment #2 by VadaDecember 13th, 2009 at 8:55 pmI really don’t understand this new phenomenon of tipping every single person we know. They already get paid to do their job. If they give exceptional service or have to personalize it, they deserve a tip. Throwing my newspaper on my driveway and dropping my mail in my mailbox every day are not noteworthy.
I gave my mail carrier a Christmas card one year, but that was it.
Comment #3 by JanelleDecember 13th, 2009 at 8:58 pmMail carriers can’t accept cash. I learned this by blogging about it one year. Go read the archives, would’ja? Sheesh.
Newspaper, though. Yes, you should tip. I always included it in with the bill - they had a spot for it, so it was expected. Now, I don’t get the paper. I do miss the comics, though. Ditch the paper - save the tip.
Comment #4 by The WizDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:11 pmI used to have a newspaper route. There were a couple of Christmases when a couple houses on our route would leave us a small tip (though we certainly never asked for nor expected one). It was very much appreciated though, even though it was only a few dollars. I think blatantly asking for a tip though is a bit rude. I’ve always viewed tipping as an expression of gratitude for a job particularly well done. If you are feeling particularly grateful for the job your newspaper deliverer and mail carrier do, and want to express your gratitude for them, then I think a tip is fine, but if you don’t feel like it, I don’t think it’s any big deal to not tip them.
I would love to receive a Christmas limerick. I’m extremely fond of Christmas treats as well, though I am extremely bad at returning the kindness of those who give them to me. If a Christmas limerick is deemed an acceptable substitute for the return gift of baked goods, then I’m all for that.
Comment #5 by kaduseyDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:11 pmThere once was a blogger named Heather.
Comment #6 by The WizDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:12 pmWho always predicted the weather.
She hated the sun,
So summer she’d shun,
Also, all birds of a feather.
Went for the easy rhyme, huh Wiz? Wuss.
Comment #7 by Heather O.December 13th, 2009 at 9:19 pmI KNEW you’d call me on that. But hey, it took me like 5 seconds to write. You’d NEVER know!!!
Comment #8 by The WizDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:20 pmBad advice, Wiz!!!! Keep your paper (says the wife of the newspaper editor - yes the newspaper industry is operating on an ancient business model - but I really like full employment!)
I give a modest tip if my newspaper arrives on time and in a place I can easily find it. I figure, hey….I’d really hate getting up that early if I were him or her.
Comment #9 by JenDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:21 pmOk, keep the paper. Employment is good.
Comment #10 by The WizDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:24 pmI love my paper. And the comics. And the coupons.
Comment #11 by Heather O.December 13th, 2009 at 9:26 pmWiz, can you write a limerick with the word ‘Kentucky’? Such is your new christmas literary challenge.
Comment #12 by Heather O.December 13th, 2009 at 9:27 pmI hardly ever tip, but I always feel like I’m supposed to be tipping this person or that person. Like Janelle said, they already get paid to do their job. That said, I always tip my hair person because if I don’t I’m scared she might have an accident with the scissors the next time. And I always think that garbage men deserve a tip for the simple fact that they have a crappy job that most people wouldn’t do, but that is a really really fantastic service. It rids my garage of poopy diaper smell every Tuesday and Friday. I’m just not sure how to get a tip to them without frantically running in front of the truck to get their attention.
Comment #13 by ErinDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:38 pmVada, the blank note cards are a wonderful idea.
I am forever having to go and buy some… maybe one of my students will think of that this year. With the way my waistline is starting to look it would be much better than chocolate!
Comment #14 by JessicaDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:44 pmErin, for our garbage men, we left them some cold Powerade’s one day. We just put them in a little cooler with ice on top of the trash can, with a big note on it saying something like “For you.” Or something. They weren’t too sure what to do with it at first, but they did take the drinks.
Maybe you can do something similar and leave a tip with it?
Comment #15 by RorieDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:50 pmI would take a sonnet or limerick instead of a plate of goodies any day. Because, hey! Sonnets & limericks are calorie free!
Comment #16 by Terresa WellbornDecember 13th, 2009 at 9:57 pmI tip 20% at resteraunts cause they get paid barely enough to cover taxes on their tips. I tip my barber because my mom tipped him growing up.
You want a Limerick that rhymes with Kentucky,
Comment #17 by Matt W.December 13th, 2009 at 9:58 pmThat’s easy, you don’t even have to be lucky
But the challenge I won’t steal
Cause That’s a “bad” deal
And I want Santa to bring me a Rubber Ducky.
I’m saved from this dilemma by the fact that our newspaper carrier does a lousy job. Ta-daa!
Comment #18 by EstudianteDecember 13th, 2009 at 10:40 pmIn California, I had the same mailman for ten years. We would hang out and chat by the mailbox some days. I always made him a big plate of cookies at Christmas.
Paper delivery person? Didn’t even know who it was, as we paid the paper directly. So no.
A Holiday Limerick?
The Holidays are upon us this moment
Comment #19 by Tracy MDecember 13th, 2009 at 10:43 pmYour paperboy wants more than a doughnut.
Guilting into giving a tip
Makes him look like a drip
Now find your paper on the roof where he’s thrown it.
If everyone I gave Christmas goodies to also gave me Christmas goodies back, we would all be in big fat trouble. I would love a limerick though.
See, everyone should do what they’re good at and then we’re all happy. I’m good at chocolate; I don’t need anyone to give me chocolate. But I can’t write limericks, so I would love that!
Comment #20 by dangermomDecember 13th, 2009 at 11:28 pmWe too found a card in out newspaper and an it went with an envelope to be mailed to his house, and no stamp.
1. I think it’s rude to ask for a tip. I get the weekend editions, I don’t even get the whole week.
2. If you’re so unsure that people will tip you so you don’t self-stamp the envelope, then I’m not going to wast 49 cents either.
Last year I gave one of our mail carriers a card and some truffles I made. My children and I talk to her and she does go the extra mile and delivers my mail when we have packages and is super nice. My other carrier makes me still walk to the mailbox to get my mail on days he delivers packages to my door. No truffles for him!
Comment #21 by LaceyDecember 13th, 2009 at 11:32 pmOnline tipping guides suggest different amounts, depending on how often you receive the paper. This year and last year, I have not received, or have not noticed, a card from the carrier. Last time I received such a card, not where I currently live, I sent the carrier a card with a fifty dollar tip.
Comment #22 by kamschronDecember 14th, 2009 at 12:01 amIs this geographic-specific? I never recall tipping for garbage or letter carriers in the West; it seems to be an East coast thing. Any confirmation? Complete conjecture?
Comment #23 by AzucarDecember 14th, 2009 at 12:33 amThanks Jessica (#14)!
Comment #24 by VadaDecember 14th, 2009 at 1:34 amK. Here’s the deal on the mail carrier. My DH used to be one. Every once in a while, someone would leave something in the mailbox for him - movie tickets, small treats, etc. He LOVED it. I think if you can do a little something for those who have thankless jobs, it goes a long way.
Besides, they reciprocate. You may not know it, but your mail/garbage/newspaper is getting better treatment because you did that nice thing.
Comment #25 by Laurieann ThorpeDecember 14th, 2009 at 7:40 amMy dad once got a flyer with his office newspaper subscription. One whole page of whining why adult newspaper carriers don’t earn much and need tips to make their bills. Um. I think newspaper routes are for kids to learn a work ethic. Adults need to go find better jobs.
The mail carrier I would leave a treat for. The hairdresser I tip 15% like waiters/waitresses.
Comment #26 by mormonhermitmomDecember 14th, 2009 at 8:43 amLarieann, so you’re saying if we don’t tip then we are going to get poor service? That doesn’t seem right to me. Every job is thankless if you really think about it. I do agree that we should do nice things for people but I don’t think they should expect it. People are starting to think they are entiltled and that’s when it bugs me.
Comment #27 by flip flop mamaDecember 14th, 2009 at 8:59 amAzucar,
My FIL is a garbage man in LA and he brings home some pretty impressive swag each Christmas Eve. Wine, chocolates, gift certificates….although he says the amount has gone down through the years. He has had the same route for over 20 years, so that makes a difference.
Comment #28 by JenDecember 14th, 2009 at 9:19 amI don’t tip my paper carrier. I truly understand that it’s not a high paying job, and driving miles in the dark on icy roads isn’t much fun either. However, if the carrier repeatedly can’t get my paper to the drive because she doesn’t want to drive up the snowy/icy hill, and them dumps my paper in the snow bank at my neighbor’s (who live more than half way up the hill anyway, and they don’t bother to tell me they have MY paper, too) a tip will not be forthcoming. I think asking for tips is just tacky. I do tip in restaurants.
I got some really nice monetary tips on Christmas Day when delivering express mail. I kept them.
I don’t have a set list of people. There is always a gift for the children’s teachers. Hmmm, since I’m homeschooling a teenage daughter, does that mean I get an extra present? Last year I made a bunch of shortbreads and lemon curd. On Christmas Eve morning about 9:00 a.m. we started driving to people we knew. If they were home, they got some cookies, if not we just kept on driving to the next house. It was really fun, and because it was done so “late” in the season, I didn’t have to worry about being overrun with reciprocals. I’m making sugar cookies this year, but instead of normal frosting we’re piping designs with chocolate - so much easier, so much faster, and sooooo much tastier.
I once had a job with the papers,
Comment #29 by JCDecember 14th, 2009 at 9:23 amDelivered them to all of my neighbors,
I’m really a drip,
And I asked for a tip,
All I got were some used candle tapers.
I read a blog one day in December
With posts too numerous to remember.
‘Twas called Mormon Mommy Wars,
With stories about floors,
Kirby vacuums, Arizona, and September.
(I don’t recall any specific posts about September, but I liked the rest of the limerick, and I needed a rhyme for December and remember.)
Comment #30 by Keri BrooksDecember 14th, 2009 at 9:35 amNot that anyone asked, but as the wife of a teacher, PLEASE don’t give candy, a stuffed animal, or mugs! I promise you they will end up at Goodwill. (The mugs and animals that is, chocolate I will eat, though it goes right to my seat, and cherries go straight to the trash!)
I gave my boys’ teachers book store gift cards for Christmas, and in kindergarten they got a certificate for a pedicure. Those women earned that! LOL!!
Comment #31 by SallyGirlDecember 14th, 2009 at 9:48 amKentucky’s a hard word to rhyme.
Comment #32 by The WizDecember 14th, 2009 at 10:14 amAlthough I could get there in time.
In the meantime I think,
I’ll just scrub out my sink,
Before everything’s covered in grime.
When writing a poem there are rules
Comment #33 by Heather O.December 14th, 2009 at 11:01 amI hope that they teach this in schools.
Limerick’s are tough
Is this link enough
to give y’all poetry tools?
I’ve never been one for the rules
Comment #34 by Keri BrooksDecember 14th, 2009 at 11:34 amThough I’ve been taught them all in schools.
Writing poetry’s an art,
Though mine doesn’t sound smart
I promise I’m not one of the fools.
Heather and her darn rules syllabic
Comment #35 by Matt W.December 14th, 2009 at 12:52 pmenough to make me apoplectic
don’t be pedantic
it makes me frantic
I was trying to rhyme with kentuck
All I know is you’re not allowed to tip them more than $20 or anything worth more than $20.
We always left a plate of cookies in our mailbox for our mail carrier growing up.
Comment #36 by Emily CDecember 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pmWhile a tip to your paperboy is not expected, it is much appreciated. If they get the paper to it’s destination, then a tip is a nice gesture. Adding the tip into your bill payment is fine. I was a paperboy (not PC) as a teen, and over half of my customers tipped me a little each month. That was back in the ‘good ol’ days’ when children/teens *could* actually have a paper route and when we had to go door to door each month to collect their payment. At Christmas, I got larger and more tips. These days, most ‘paperboys’ are adults who are trying to supplement their income from their ‘day job.’ If they’ve done a good job this year, and you want to, then please feel free to tip them. I would say $5 minimum.
Just because someone gives you some treats, doesn’t mean that you “owe” them treats. It is a gift; not a pre-arranged trade. Accept the gift without any strings attached.
Comment #37 by StrollerbladerDecember 14th, 2009 at 2:31 pmI am going to start handing out envelopes with my address on them and see if anyone sends me a tip!
Comment #38 by LisaCDecember 14th, 2009 at 2:56 pmBy the way, if you haven’t seen it yet, Dr. Phil had a woman on today talking about holiday manners. She said the same thing about the postman…$20 limit. She also talked about buying a small gift from the kids for the babysitter. EEK!
Comment #39 by LisaCDecember 14th, 2009 at 3:57 pmWe have three different postmen/postwomen in the course of each week. They come at different times of the day and I’m never sure if the mail has come or not. Should I put something out every day to make sure we get them all?
Comment #40 by Jessie T.December 14th, 2009 at 4:44 pmY’all, they are not MY rules. They are rules of the form. AABBA, 88558, with allowances for one or more syllables either way (but has to be consistent within itself) with a specific meter. What can I say, we all have our “things”.
Comment #41 by Heather O.December 14th, 2009 at 7:03 pmI knew I was breakin the law, and I didn’t care.
Comment #42 by Tracy MDecember 14th, 2009 at 8:29 pmA few years ago, my daughter was a paper”boy” and she made a killing at Christmas. Of course it was in Minnesota (think below freezing), and she walked every paper to the door and placed it inside the storm door so it wouldn’t get wet. She did put cards in the papers in early in December, but no return envelope and no “tip please.”
As I recall it was a fairly unfun job, 7 days a week. The newspapers had to be delivered by 7 am (and if they weren’t we heard about it), plastic bags and elastic bands were not provided by the company so she had to buy them. She earned about $125 a month.
I think I’ll go write a tip out for my paperboy.
Comment #43 by SherrieDecember 14th, 2009 at 11:15 pmSince out paper person drops the papers at the end of our driveway, I’m not going to tip them. If they had been putting my stack of sunday papers (I get three) on the porch like they did the first month we subscribed, I would consider it. But they don’t. So I’m not. So there.
Comment #44 by m2thehDecember 15th, 2009 at 10:57 amWe got a letter in our paper the other day wishing us a merry christmas and his address at the bottom. Seeing as I have called numerous times about the placement of my paper and he even called me to try to change my mind, I will not be mailing a tip. All I wanted was for it delivered to the bottom of my driveway and not at the mailboxes at the end of my complex where I can’t see if its there from my home. And since he has to drive by my home to deliver others, its not making him go out of his way.
Comment #45 by starfishDecember 15th, 2009 at 1:18 pmThe six years we lived in DC, I subscribed to the Washington Post. I received bills every two to three months (the subscription was on some funny schedule); I would always round the amount due up by a few dollars. At Christmas, I’d throw in an extra $15 or so. Delivering papers really is a thankless job. ..bruce..
Comment #46 by bfwebsterDecember 15th, 2009 at 8:31 pmYou’re bringing back memories of my paper route days as an 8-16 year-old. I remember getting lots of tips at Christmas. I made $35 every two weeks, so the $250 in tips was a big deal. But I also had to go door-to-door to collect the subscription fees, so the tips came then and weren’t mailed to my house. The tips really kicked in after I started leaning the paper against the front door on snowy mornings so that the paper would fall into the house when the door opened.
Having said that, I do not tip my current carrier.
Comment #47 by Matt JacobsenDecember 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pmI would love a limmerick from you for Christmas…after last nights cookie exchange we REALLY don’t need any more treats at our house. Wonder if we have hte same mail carrier…I got an envelope tooand I though, Oh I should send something, but then I lost the envelope:) Do you still have the address by chance?
Comment #48 by EricaDecember 17th, 2009 at 8:58 amI did a paper route one year. I was an adult. Doing a paper route before the break of dawn was the only thing I could do if I wanted to earn a little bit of money and be home with my kids all day. My husband, being a PhD student, simply didn’t have time to take care of the kids while I worked and I could not pay for a babysitter.
Consider this: adults that do paper routes are usually trying to supplement their income, meaning they don’t have much money and paper routes do not pay much.
As I understood it, sending out Christmas notes is standard and if your paper person does a good enough job, it’s a good idea to tip them. They get about $.12 per paper delivered and they have to pay for gas and rubberbands/or bags. Also, when I needed a sub, I had to pay the sub $.20 per paper delivered.
The Christmas tips I got allowed me to do some special things for my kids during a period when we don’t have much money coming in. So it frustrates me to hear everyone complaining. We don’t often give to people who get minimal pay and work hard (get up at 4:30am to deliver a paper be fore 6am 7 days a week when it -15 degrees out).
I’m grateful I had that experience because when my husband gets a job, I will definitely be willing to spend some money to help others who have given me a valid service.
Comment #49 by JuliaJanuary 5th, 2010 at 12:43 pm