Just so I don't get caught out without cash and look like a pillock, will anyone call for a tip at Christmas? Before I've had the Fire Service, the Postman and the refuse department....does this happen in Canada? I particularly like the rubbish man, lovely chap, as opposed to the surly Québécois post lady....but do I tip 'em please?

If you get a newspaper delivered daily some people leave an envelope...if you get door to door mail delivery some people will give that person a card or a voucher etc...never heard of tipping the fire service or bin men.

Tipping the fire brigade?

If people you receive services from can damage you, tip them accordingly to the amount of damage they could inflict.

Unless they've already inflicted damage.

[QUOTE=Alan2005;10406872]Tipping the fire brigade?[/QUOT

Sounds like the storyline of a dirty movie.

I only tip the guy coming down the chimney.

Two cookies and a glass of milk.

Cant remember which comedian it was but.....'you can tell Christmas is coming cos the effing bin men start saying good morning'

It'll be interesting to see the responses in favour of tipping people who dont rely on tips for their income...

I don't tip anyone at Christmas and never have. So far there have been no incidents.


BTW, the Fire Department here is voluntary and also come out for 911 calls for ambulance they often get to the scene before the ambulance so do a bit of immobilising, CPR etc. At Christmas they collect for their "Disaster Fund" which helps people whose homes have been fire damaged. They also put on the best Canada Day fireworks show. So maybe this lot deserves a Christmas gift.

Why not just tip those you wish to tip?

I guess in my job then I could expect at least a dollar then
In my job I dont expect tips nor other forms of gratuities plus we also have a policy that states we cant receive such unless it is of minor value as per this

Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.

Acceptance of gifts, hospitality and other benefits is permissible if they:
•are infrequent and of minimal value such as low-cost promotional objects, simple meals or souvenirs with no cash value;
•arise out of activities or events related to official duties of the public servant concerned;
•are within the normal standards of courtesy, hospitality or protocol; and
•do not compromise or appear to compromise your integrity or that of the CBSA in any way

I am paid to do my job and there have been days where I go above and beyond these duties.
Sure Im not making minimum wage but Im not also making a shed load of money either.
I could argue why should people be tipped if they provide a service and they are being paid to provide a service but thats not the point. If these people rely on tips to supplement their wage I could argue then they should have done better at school or look for a higher paying job or trained to get the qualifications for these higher paying jobs but again thats not the point.
I tip people whom I deem deserve it and have provided excellent service that IMO deserves a tip or other reward.

Surely, a Christmas tip is gratuitous one. I don't believe that anyone relies upon such tips to supplement their "employment income"

No they probably dont unless thats the only time they are working. Probably in your line of work you might be bunged a nice bottle of scotch or meal for providing services to a client over the year as gratitude and I have no problems with that. Its the whole tipping culture that confuses some be it during xmas time or any other time of the year.
There have been several threads on tipping and who should be or should not be tipped.
I agree with you in tip who you think deserves to be tipped but not because its expected or customary.

In hospitals people usually bring stuff in for the nurses and forget about the rest of the people who work there. Just saying