leith

It seems that some kind of extra tip or reward at Christmas is expected here for just about everybody - garbage collector, mail carrier, newspaper deliverer, hairdresses etc. What's your experience in Canada or the UK?

Stinkypup

I find that not enough people bring booze to their doctor any more- nI think that tradition needs reviving.

Bob

Over here, I found unless the postie got a $10 DD giftcard or similar, we often found that the mail couldn't be delivered in the winter and we'd get that notice that it was to unsafe to make delivery at the slightest hint of rain, snow, cold...

Kids teachers get a small gift and that's the lot from us.

Souvy

So does the tradition of being able to have a family doctor.

R I C H

Post is delivered to a box 1km from home, garbage collected well before I'm up and about, no newspaper delivery, and I've never used a hairdresser here. I'll tip in a bar/restaurant as is convention, not just because someone does their regular job and it's this time of year.

Stinkypup

Oooo you know how to stick the knife in.... at this festive time of year as well..


If people gave more booze to their docs then maybe more docs would be encouraged to be family physicians

BristolUK

What about a nice tub of BrusselMole? The label says it's delicious.

You wouldn't know whether to eat it or apply it.

Stinkypup

I think you could predict my response

BristolUK

Waiting staff, taxi drivers (more if they help with the shopping) and the newspaper courier but for that one I add $5 to the monthly payment to ensure they get it rather than someone who happens to cover them at xmas.

I've never experienced anyone else believing or (re)acting as if they should get something.

We did get a bottle of wine for a teacher who had been particular good with my stepson when she left.

Atlantic Xpat

How do you get your haircut then?

I'm with you on the rest of it - my post comes to a rural mailbox, the bins are collected by a bloke who doesn't have to leave to truck to hoist the wheelybin up & ditto Newspapers. I did tip my hairdresser a fiver yesterday night.

On the other hand you should definately tip your kids teachers alcohol. Their husbands appreciate it!

Stinkypup

I got this today which is a bit different and might be nice with some after eights. The fudge...I'm not so sure- the sensible thing is to examine the donors fingernails to judge whether either we or Stinky get the edible gift. In this case, I think Stinky's in luck

scrubbedexpat091

I have no regular long term business relationships with anyone, so never felt the need to tip or give a gift.

I suppose I could leave the doctor something, but he isn't in Canada at the moment, and he spends a lot of time not in Canada, so I see his fill in doctors more then him, I have only actually seen my GP 2 times, every other time it's been a fill in doctor.

I haven't had the same person cut my hair this year, each time I go it's a different person. So no need to tip special at Christmas, I just add a few extra dollars to the total at the time of the hair cut.

BristolUK

Buzzzzzzzzzzz

sharkus

I certainly don't feel like it's expected here. The kid's teachers will probably get something, maybe the security guard / concierge at the building. Beyond that, i don't deal with anyone o a regular enough basis for it to come up.

In the UK, yeah, the postman, milkman, paperboy got a tip, as they'd been doing it forever. Paperboy espeically got one as I know how much "fun" that job can be on a cold Saturday morning, and I used to get a nice tip from most of the people on my round.

leith

According to Miss Manners, you're supposed to give money or a gift to just about everyone who's already been paid to do something for you during the year. The garbage collectors, for example, should get $20 (US) each. If I gave out all the amounts she recommends, I'd have nothing left for Christmas presents for my own family.