I may be paranoid but I'd swear that my garbage man is giving me dirty looks every Christmas. I found out why last night. My neighbor gives him a bottle of Jack every year and I give him nothing. I mean, this guy is schlepping my garbage 52 times per year and getting paid for it. Does etiquette say that I should actually buy him a present for the holidays?
This actually started a mild argument at my house because I personally think tipping at holiday time is kind of silly. Aren't these guys just doing their jobs and aren't they are already getting paid? We're still debating it but I found out what etiquette says. Basically, you really should tip people that are constantly making your life easier. I don't really buy it because the guy at the grocery store pointing me to the grapes makes my life easier each time I visit but he didn't get a tip.
Anyway, here is the list of people that my wife wants to tip. You now know what etiquette says so you can make your own choices.
- Babysitter: One evening's pay, plus a small gift from your child
- Housekeeper: 50% of one week's cleaning
- Hair Stylist: Cost of a haircut unless she is coloring and doing other crazy things with your hair. If that's the case increase at your discretion.
- Mailman: The law apparently says they cannot accept cash but they can accept 'goods' of up to $20 in value. For some reason I don't think this guy is turning away the cash.
- Doorman: The recommended amount is $15-$80 based on how helpful the person is. However, in Chicago I have seen these Doorman getting gifts and cash well into the hundreds of dollars. So, again, you should give something however the amount is obviously based on your finances and how helpful they are.
- Garbage Man (aka Trash Collector): $20 if you are in a single family home and he stops specifically at your house. If you live in an apartment or condo building, than you probably never see this person so you can forget it.
