In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

[2moretrees]

I was reading an article in the morning paper about gifts you are supposed to give to the people who give you service during the year. It is from a book on tipping.

Babysitter: One evening's average pay or a small gift in equal cost

Teacher: Small gift from your child, restaurant gift certificate, movie tickets, gift cards, gourmet gift basket

Hairdresser: Cost of one haircut plus a nice gift

Manicurist: Small gift, thank-you note

Gardener: $20 or a bottle of wine, small gift, baked goods

Doorman: $40-$100 or a small gift

Newspaper carrier: $10-$15

Nanny: One month's pay, plus a small gift from your child

Day care provider: Same as teacher

Massage therapist: Small gift, bottle of wine, gift certificate or gift card, thank-you note

Personal trainer: Small gift or cost of one session

Handyman: $20-$50

Dog walker: Small gift or one session pay

Fed Ex, UPS, mail carrier: Postal service permits up to $20 in cash, a bottle of wine, gift certificate or homemade goods. A nice note to supervisor.

Coffee barista: $10-$20

Garage attendants: $10-$35

Trash collector: $20-$40 or baked goods

Elevator operator: $15-$30

Driver: $20-$40

Personal assistant: One to two weeks' pay or a nice gift, a few days off

Nursing home: Not cash. Consider ordering a pizza for the staff or homemade goodies.


Does everyone really give gifts to all these people?

[PrincessPerky]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

Well since I havn't got any of 'em no (except the postal carrier, but I can't afford money and it is never the same person for more than a month anyway)

[Tree0164]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

I made some fudge for my son's two bus drivers.

My son's teacher specifically said no gifts please but the Parent Teacher group said if each child could donate $1.00 so a new book could be bought for each classroom.

I do buy gifts for my younger's son therapists. They come to our house each week.


My mailman I usually leave some baked good for.

The others... nope. I am my own driver, gardner, bellman etc.

[akaivyleaf]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

The only service that I have now is the Hairdresser, and I give her a gift. Well actually this year, since she had a baby I'll give her baby a gift. I've known her for 8 years so she's like family and she always gets a tip, so a gift for her child is more than appropriate.

When I was a teacher, I used to get gifts galore from the students and from their parents. I always thought it was a very nice guesture.

[terry1156]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

I must be a scrooge.

[2moretrees]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

It must have been written for people that don't visit these forums often

[akaivyleaf]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

or for those of us who haven't been here long but feel that sometimes its better to give than to receive. And giving isn't always monetary.

[miclason]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

I used to give my hairdresser a nice tip....7 years with the same hairdresser...
Alejandra's teacher always gets a gift...even if just a 4 oz box of chocolates...
GArbage collectors always come to ask for their Xmas bonuses...with what they make here in ES - probably about $160/month -, believe me, even $1 per house makes a difference!...the nanny gets her Xmas bonus (I calculate it according to the labor law, although, technically, since we don't have a contract, she is not entitled to a bonus, but, I feel that she really deserves one!) and I also buy a small gift for her (usually a "basket" from the supermarket: just a bucket full of different types of food. I try to include things she can use for her Xmas dinner, and make a point of always adding some powdered milk for her kids)...Although she has a good salary for what the standard is, I feel that for the work she makes, she is underpaid, so I try to compensate it in other small ways...

[DivaJen]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

I don't have most of those, lol, or if I do, it's not always the same person.

We gave candles to DD's dance teacher, Spanish teacher and preschool teacher (from last year). When we had a regular postal carrier I would give him cookies and a card, but now we have a new person every week, it seems. If I had a regular hair stylist I would probably do a little something for him or her.

[PennyPincher]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

I must fall into the scrooge category too, although many of you are making me reconsider. Maybe there is a part of me that has a hard time giving the holiday 'tips' because I don't get any sort of bonus at work myself. It's not as if I have clients that pass me extra green or that I receive a heavier amount in my December paycheck. I guess I shouldn't think of it like that, but I give my hairdresser a 20% tip everytime I see her. I guess selfishly, I think that should be enough. I'm horrible... Thanks for making me think about all this though. Hmmm...

[2moretrees]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

The article recommended that you give your tips in the summer (if you give them) so that you stand out from the rest of the crowd. That would take away the holiday pressure to give more I would think.

[amomof4]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

No, no, no! First off, I don't use most of them. Secondly they are already paid for their services. And lastly, Christmas is already to commercialized. I did give $50 gift cert to a family my Bible study adopted.

[amomof4]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

PS give your extra's to a food bank. They can make better use of it.

[jeffrey]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

One of the greatest things about living in Japan is there is no tipping, None at all. When you go into a restaurant, the price is the price. Same with a bar. Go to a hotel and someone helps with your bags, no tip needed. Sane with the barber / hairdresser. I think I will have some adjustments to make when I return.

[marla]

Re: In Shock! Do you give gifts to all these people?

Oh, I would love it if they outlawed tips!