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Across the Fence:  New rules for tipping  |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 2:38:48 PM
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Heard on NPR the lastest rules for tipping service people at Holiday time and it almost plunged me into a financial stuper Here's what they recommend:
house cleaner - 2 months pay
gardener - 1 months pay
sitters/daycare - 1 months pay
trash guy - $30 - 50
mailman - $25-30
dog groomer -$25-30
stylist - $20-30
manicure/pedicurist - $20-30
There were more, but I forget who they are. Couldn't believe it.
When I hear things like this I really appreciate countries that have a VAT (value added tax) and tipping is an insult.
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 4:22:19 PM
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Do you think since I do my own housekeeping, gardening, childcare, mail pick-up, trash hauling, and nails (hahaha), that I get the money?
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 4:23:31 PM
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Well since I do all that as a SAHM, I should make out like a bandit this season!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 4:24:34 PM
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| I think any one of those people is already making more money than me! The only ones on this list whose services I use would be the trash guy and the mail carrier - and those are government employees! Jeez...I'm lapsing into a stupor with you as I think about it. |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 5:24:59 PM
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I'm a house cleaner. 2 months pay for a holiday tip? Are you serious?!
I have never and would never expect that out of my clients. I am just so
grateful that they welcome me into their homes and provide me with the work
that allows me so much free time for my family.
Melanie
Shop~ http://www.squidoo.com/buyinghomemade
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/ |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 7:36:30 PM
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So I suppose leaving a jar of homemade jelly for the house cleaner, a few cookies for the gardner, popcorn balls for the day care, gloves for the trashman, jerky for the mailman, doggie treats for the groomer, homemade hair clips for the hair stylist and a jar of vaseline for the nail salon would be be unfavorable gifts? Since I do not use any of these services regularly I think I will stick to simple "thanks you (hand written) for your service" in their christmas cards.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4739 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4739 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 7:49:12 PM
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I wouldn't be able to afford to go out the door if I tipped that much to everyone! I wonder who came up with these figures & how many people can actually afford to tip like this.
Dawn in IL |
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 8:23:00 PM
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I have had the same manicurist for 10 years now, so I do get her a gift card each year for 30 dollars to her fav store. My MIL also cleans houses, and when I told her the numbers, she didn't seem too shocked...I didn't pry, but I am guessing her clients take good care of her. I'm sure it also has to do with what area of the country you live in and what type of clients you have.
Either way, any kind of a bonus is a special surprise!
Samantha
www.myspace.com/elphie0503
I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the colour of my mind.~~Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 8:37:13 PM
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That's funny that they mention that you should tip your mailman....I'm lucky to get my mail on time at times. Sometimes it takes a week to get my mail from the next town because of him.
I'm laughing at the tip for the trash guy...now who is going to be running down their street..."HERE IS SOME MONEYYYYY!!!!"
House Cleaner...yeah those products have doubled in price but got shrunk in the size of the bottle. (haha) ;-)
At work, we did get a very neat Christmas letter/card. Inside it had a nice warm letter and it said that rather than buying chocolates, gifts, etc, they donated to the local chapter of a particular organization in our name. That was very thoughtful.
Jessica
Blog: http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
Etsy: http://kyphotography.etsy.com
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 12:11:17 AM
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WOW, who wants to hire me as a housecleaner throughtout the year AND gimme this extra bonus, YAY!!
No kidding, what a bonus. I realise most do their work very well and should get a bonus. But any homemade staple would be loverly IMO! So no money but nice jam or whatever you do.
We don't give tips here to the garbage man nor, to the mailmen etc. But I would not mind to give my mailmen a nice card, because he is very good and very kind always. He leaves my parcels with my neighbor when I am out and always tells her: "yes she is gone, AGAIN, lol"
But they don't expect to get anything, so I won't. I even think they are not allowed to accept gifts (??)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Again new creations added, too cute lol. Come and check it out!!
http://princess-of-pink-creations.blogspot.com/
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 05:49:50 AM
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We did give a tip a few years ago to our garbageman, but he was an EXCEPTIONALLY nice person, who we would often speak to on trashday, and he NEVER blocked the street with his truck (that will get you a huge honk and a telephone call to their employer--I've been 20 minutes late to work before! He was very faithful (meaning Christian), and we bought him a $20.00 giftcard to a Christian bookstore because he had lost his bible recently.
I don't even know who our mailman is...we get our mail at 5:00 p.m, so I'm not all that interested. Now, my mom, who does a lot of shopping online and gets daily shipments it seems, does tip her mailperson, because they will actually get out of the car and bring her packages to the door.
My mother also cleans offices and condos--she usually gets between $25-$50.00 per client around the holiday. But, remember, we live in an urban area, so it is more common to do these things...I also heard the story on NPR, and they did say that this is far more common in larger cities. |
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AuntPammy
True Blue Farmgirl
488 Posts
Pamila
williamstown
wv
USA
488 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 05:58:06 AM
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We ALWAYS give a monetary bonus to our trash guys. They usually go out to lunch with it. They are very appreciative of it and I think they deserve it. As for the mailman and others they get cards and thats it.
Let's dance in the rain and play in the puddles under the rainbows.
www.auntpsalmostheaven.blogspot.com |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 07:08:27 AM
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I have always found it annoying to have society tell me what is acceptable for a tip. A tip is an extra, a way of saying thank you. It is above and beyond what is owed. To me, the level of generousity I show is my own issue. I do want to be a generous person, but I also take into consideration the job that was done, the time that it took, etc. Since I do my own hair, I am the gardener, house cleaner, baby sitter, etc. most of them don't apply to me. And since we have the most, shall we say "challenged" trash man ever, if anything he should tip me for putting up with him (it appears that trash pick up for us is all optional on his part . . .) I always tip at least 20% at restaurants unless they did not do their job and we always give to all the bell ringers at every store. We tithe to our church and give to several charities. I just don't think it is the place of others to tell us how we should "give." Just my opinion!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 07:21:36 AM
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Mailmen are not allowed to accept cash over $20. Value of gifts left for them cannot amount to more than that either. Many enjoy home made gifts.
Betty in Pasco |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 08:06:21 AM
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WOW that's a lil much I think and I am pretty expensive in thinking. Am I cheap? We give our cleaning lady a days pay and then this year (she's going through a BAD divorce with 2 daughters) she wanted a knockoff tiffanys necklace so we got her that and the usual money and she about cried. IDK......I figure give what you want etc. I always do 20% for hairdresser and wait staff unless it is BAD......
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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simplyflowers
True Blue Farmgirl
489 Posts
Jamie
Locust Grove
Virginia
USA
489 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 09:35:17 AM
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ok....with that...I got out the pencil and paper. I would 'owe' out $520 in Christmas bonuses [the sitter, mailman, and garbage man]...however, I would rake in the rest :) which is $1460..
LOL
~Jamie
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison
Check out my blog!! http://bestcoupleintown.blogspot.com/ |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 09:41:29 AM
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The only tip I give MY garbage man is --- STAY OFF MY LAWN!!! GET THAT MONTSTEROUS TRUCK OUT OF MY CANTALOUPS!!! AND QUIT TEARING UP MY DRIVEWAY!!!! One day he almost backed right INTO our house!!!!! No, I don't think my garbage man DESERVES tip money from me. He's also always taking pictures of our dumpster if the lid doesn't close all the way and the company sends us letters saying "Perhaps you would like a LARGER dumpster....." I didn't know the lid had to stay CLOSED!!??
Anyway, I tip WHAT I feel deserves to be tipped, and I tip WHO I feel deserves to be tipped. I could care less what Society says. It's my business, and MY MONEY!!!! So NAAHHH!!! (LOL!) ~~~Hugs~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 11:23:24 AM
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Shepardgirl you cracked me up I loved your response. I thought I was the only one who had those thoughts. My mailman keeps pushing the mailbox over and then leaving me a note saying it needs attention. So, I gave the note back to him with a message that said "if you did keep pushing it over it wouldn't need attention."
The trash guy keeps dumping the cans in my front rosebed, smashing the hedge and the roses. Why would I tip for that?
As far as I'm concerned if the others (hair/nail/cleaning/groomer, etc)want to make more, then charge more. Don't lowball your prices then expect the client to make up the difference in a tip.
I figure my gift to them is the fact that I'm polite to them, pay on time and my checks don't bounce. |
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wild daisy
True Blue Farmgirl
503 Posts
Madelynne
Billings
Montana
USA
503 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 12:17:09 PM
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A gift should be from the heart. I think the saying that one must give more then one has, must stop. Look at the state of our economy right now. I usually give the mailman some homemade fudge or candy. The garbage man, well he comes about seven in the morning. I don't think I will be out this year chasing him down in below zero degree weather. I will be saying "THANK YOU" more often the whole year.
Madelynne |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 5:32:00 PM
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If I gave these tips even to the few I actually use, I wouldn't be able to get my kids anything for Christmas.
That would go over like a lead balloon. I can just picture it now.
"Sorry, guys, I couldn't get you a gift because I had to tip everyone else under the sun"
I'd have to give up my Mother of the Year award. LOL
I earn a wage,and no one tips me, eventhough I am in a service job. And I don't expect one either. That is what my paycheck is called.
This list is a bunch of bs.
My mailman probably makes a lot more than me, and he is cranky. The garbage man, well, they make a killing off our city contract. If I could, I would shop around. They aren't the best. They miss picking mine up at least once a month, and that includes recycling.
I tip the girl who cuts our hair and any wait staff 20% (on the rarity we go out to eat)
if they provide great service. Other than that, I am with Jenn.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
Edited by - kissmekate on Dec 16 2008 5:35:53 PM |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 6:59:49 PM
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Oh, duck pucky...like I'm going to do that!! I eat in truckstop restaurants quite a bit (I have cut down cuz I'm pretty chinchy) and I've even cut down on those tips. I figgered that I was paying a small mint for someone to bring my food and drink and, if I'm lucky, a refill. Most have stopped doing that and don't recheck to see if they can do something. If it's a buffet, all they do is bring the drink and a big tip isn't called for, IMHO. My duaghter is a waitress in a semi-swanky spot and she does get better tips but she is personable and attentive.
As for the other, nope, no way.
Winona ;-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
http://goneriding.wordpress.com/
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 9:34:50 PM
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Jenn-- I almost fell out of my chair laughing at YOUR response to MY response! I wonder if our Garbage man and your mailman are related? It IS a SMALL world after all!! (LOL!) ~~Hugs~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 08:31:53 AM
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When I was a kid, and the garbage companies were privately owned franchises, we always left an envelope with money clipped to the trash can lid. Of course, that was when they actually got out of their truck, came to your backyard, picked your can up on their shoulders and carried it to the truck, then returned the can and replaced the lid.
Today, our trash is picked up by a big truck after we wheel it out to the road. The guy never gets out of his truck, and never waves at us when we wave back. Our "municipal taxes" pay for part of the service and we pay an additional amount. Oh, and our taxes went up over 25% this year, for the "muni's" which supposedly include things like street lighting, road maintenance, parks, etc. We're 17 miles from nowhere, no lights, private road, and our "park" is the desert... all privately owned.
Shari Thomas
From the "middle of nowhere" Beryl, Utah. Our farm is nearly complete with 3 horses, 7 ewes, a cow and heifer calf, 19 chickens, 5 dogs and four country gals. I blog about it at http://sharithomas.com |
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Across the Fence: New rules for tipping |
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New rules for tipping
