TW’s mom would like to give a gift to the guy who drives the bus for the Senior Center but he’s not allowed to accept money so she was wondering whether he could accept a gift card or what other type of gift she might give him. He goes out of his way to pick her up/drop her off — beyond the call of his actual duties and she wants to thank him.
So — I started researching the problem and I found a whole lot of people who feel very strongly (both in favor and against) the tipping of service providers.
And, I understand both sides of the argument.
Why do we tip folks for doing their jobs?
Shouldn’t tipping be reserved for people who go above and beyond? For those who provide extraordinary service?
Do teachers, bus drivers, hair dressers, postal service, UPS/Fed drivers, garbage collector, etc. always deserve a holiday gift?
Are those who make a “good” wage with benefits less deserving of a tip/holiday gift than those who don’t make said wages/benefits? Even if they provide outstanding, over-the-top service?
How do you decide which service providers to gift? And what types of gifts do you give?
I always give my children’s teachers a Christmas present in order to say thank you for the service they provide my children each day. I also tip the mail man at Christmas because he is constantly delivering packages to my door. I believe if the service is good and provides a value to my family then why wouldn’t I tip?
As well waiters/ waitresses I always tip they don’t make enough of a salary. In this city they just lowered the minimum wage of our servers which aggravates the hell out of me.
I… can’t think of anyone that I have enough regular contact with on a regular basis that I’d give a holiday tip to. We would give gifts to my teachers when I was in elementary school, but I don’t believe we did the bus driver.
Wait. I lied. I like to give my librarians a gift. Remember my omg worst Christmas ever in which my care package from home got stolen and I was trying to fake the joy? I baked for my librarians. I bake less now but I do try to get them a gift card for a local coffee shop. Since the library will be open the Saturday before Christmas I might bring them a cake from the catering company up the street. 🙂