i have an appointment for a haircut this saturday. i've never had a hair appointment so close to christmas so i've never come across this dilemna. do i tip the hairdresser extra for the holidays? is this proper etiquette?
how many of you would throw in a little extra money or a gift card of some sort?
how many would just tip as usual?
i don't know what to do.
also, what about the mail carrier? gift or no gift?
anyone?
I dont know....If you are feeling jolly and have a little extra cash, I am sure your hairdresser would appreciate a larger tip, depends probably too, on how long your relationship has been.
Yes, I think you are "supposed" to tip the mail carrier, but I never have. I am not sure if they are "supposed" to accept money or not though. My mom used to have little gifts for the UPS guy (he came every day) and for the mail lady. I am sure they apprieciate it also, but I dont think it should be mandatory. I am yet to get a tip.
The mail carrier isnt supposed to take "tips" because of all of the stuff with 911 and everything. So inless you and your mail carrier are close I wouldnt. My dad was one and he wasnt supposed to take things from people. With a hairdresser I used to work at a salon and it all depends on how well you know this person if its your first time going there dont worry about it but if you go to them on a regular basis it wouldnt hurt to do something a little extra I have seen everything given to hairdresser including extra money but they have been going to these people for years. But hey wouldnt mind getting a little extra money?
Don't you love these dilemmas? I thought about that last time I went to the hairdresser, I've been seeing her for about eight months now. But I gave her my regular tip - because she is almost always late and it ends up inconveniencing me. The problem I have with tipping is it used to be for a job well done or something over and above, now it's expected - even for lousy service. Don't get me wrong - I tip 25% at restaurants if the service is adequate - but I hate the expectant attitude when the service is rarely exceptional. If my server has been friendly, attentive, but not too attentive, they earn every penny of a good tip. But if they aren't great, neither should the tip be. Some states only pay minimum wage to servers and they depend on tips, but that's another bunny trail.
Back to the point. I think the policy for mail carriers is not to accept anything - especially money. I think that is standard USPS policy - but they wouldn't turn down a box of cookies or something small and thoughtful - if you know them. I give a box of cookies to our postman each year, but we chat frequently, and I think he more than deserves any treat he gets. I think we are the first to give him something because the first year we did, he was surprised. I also run out and take a box of cookies to our waste disposal guy.
In an age of materialism, I think a gift from the heart or the oven 
- is the way to go.
thanks everyone. its hard because i just started going to my hairdresser 6 months ago and she canceled on me one time last minute. grrrr... BUT she does a great job on my hair so i'm going back. i'm thinking i might go with a dunkin donuts gift card of a small denomination.
Ray75:
in my opinion, i wouldn't tip the bus driver. maybe a little treat or something but no money.
as for the garbage collectors, i don't know about anyone else's area, but we pay for our garbage to be picked up. so, i wouldn't tip them at christmas.
As a former salon owner I will say this. You don't have to tip extra for the holidays. Some of my clients would tip extra for the holidays but those were the clients that were my clients for years and I saw all year long and very often. Don't feel obligated to tip extra because of the season. Six months is no time that's pretty much a trial period, if after a year of service you feel he/she deserves it then go ahead.
Postal worker I usually tip because he is really nice. Our water delivery guy I tip because he always brings the bottles inside the garage for me instead of just dropping them off at the front door.
Cleaning people absolutely! they do the stuff that I absolutely hate!(cleaning the oven and the fridge)
My son's not in school yet but I would definately give a teacher something any day!
I really think it's what you are comfortable with. Or if you just want to be on the safe side a small tin of cookies is always nice to get.
I give the bus driver something similar but on a smaller scale than the teachers. However, ours is REALLY good. She makes sure science projects get to school in one piece, pumpkins get home safely, waited a couple extra minutes when my dd got hurt so her friend could walk her home because she's a "big girl" and I'm supposed to stay at the door only and didn't see it.
I agree, tipping is for good service. Presents are that - given from the heart no matter what the service, if you have become friends. Good points, ladies!
The bus driver that drives my sister gives her a treat all time so I would give her a gift because she goes out of her way to be nice to all the students. I wouldnt give the trash people anything inless maybe that picked up something extra that they arnt supposed to (our garbage people can be strict) I would maybe make the mail person a loaf of bannana bread or something warm depending on where you live.
I tip with baked goods. I tip our Bordens (lady), mail (lady), hairdresser (lady), custodian (lady) at school, grasscutter (man) and pharmacist (lady & man). I figure since they give their service with a good attitude, I would bake something different and tasty for them. Usually I bake boscotti. My neighbors get pies or cakes just for watching my house while I am at work.
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