bigjohnny7

Hi all,

I've been pretty much against these guys all my life, but I'm starting to soften in my old age (well, 34). They're much more common around Auckland - especially South Auckland where I work - than in the UK, where I really only used to encounter them once or twice a year in rainy Manchester.

The fact that these guys don't pay tax, etc, used to really annoy me, but I'm starting to come around to the viewpoint that at least they're getting off their butts and doing some work.

So, for the people who do tip them, what's the going rate these days?

Genesis

They area scourge. They scratch your panels and I am perfectly capable of cleaning my windows with the little stick on my steering column. They get gobby if you don't tip them and I never asked for their service. I dislike they ardently.

Dorothy

I usually tell them in my most authentic American accent to get the f**k away from my car before I open a can of whoopass on them.

I also dislike them.

GoingIn2011

They're annoying but thankfully they tend to occupy just selected intersections of selected areas (eg New Lynn). So they can be avoided if they get too much. I just tell them no - that's always done the job. I've not seen one since I moved from Titirangi to the North Shore.

Robbie2010

Never had any problems with them in Hamilton, they all seem happy and cheery ... I always wave them away .. sometimes they clean my screen anyway and walk away looking for another customer.

Bo-Jangles

There's often one / some at the Tristram Avenue intersection at Wairau Road playing chicken with the traffic.

I find that a polite 'no thank you' normally sends them packing to the next victim. If not, my plan B would be to run them over!!

pricklykina

Doesn't bother me either. I get the occasional freebie, which is nice. I pay when I think the windscreen needs it, not if I don't. As for tax...there are people earning a lot more than them avoiding paying much more tax.

grantanddebs

An unneeded distraction at a busy intersection.

scrubbedexpat094

I've never come across one in my 6 years here. I just know that I'm not going to be able to move for them now