[AlaninCarlisle]

Do you still tip your postman/woman and the bin-emptiers at Christmas? I did until about three years ago but they seemed so shocked and even embarrassed that I assumed it was an outdated custom and stopped doing it

[AndyRVTR]

Errrmm.. no!

[wighty]

As we seem to have a different Postie every day, don't bother there.  The refuse collectors get a packet of chocolate biscuits to share between them.

[Growster...]

If our coalman is the same bloke we have had for years, from Corralls, he gets a bottle of wine, but as our great old (young) postman, Steve, left, we really don't feel inclined to give them anything, especially as their strike issues somewhat dampen our enthusiasm for goodwill an' all that...

The dustmen don't really count, especially as they always leave the emptied blasted bin right in the middle of our gates, so I couldn't get back in this morning without a big detour and a lot of bad language!

But we always tip our hairdressers, as they work their socks off, and always do a home visit for Mrs Growster, which is just marvellous!

[mumofstig]

My window cleaner kindly told me a few days ago that he wouldn't be round again 'til after Christmas, but I just gave him his usual money and left it at that 
and yes, Growster, I always used to tip the coalman, when they carried huge sacks on their backs round the back to the coal shed - cos that really was hard work, wasn't it? Nowadays my delivery is only a few small bags on a trolley, and the lads just dump them by the front door and walk off 

[Lardman]

Nope. If I receive a level of service above what I have paid for I might leave a tip at the time, doesn't happen often at all anymore though.  I certainly don't feel the need to tip my ever changing postie when the first class mail I had delivered today was dated 8 December.

[jaydig]

I now only tip for service that's above and beyond.  There are still some people out there who are proud of what they do and do it to the utmost of their ability and I feel this does need to be recognised, not only with a tip, but with a verbal "thank you". I think we all know who they are because we are usually stunned to get the sort of service that we used to years ago instead of  the couldn't care less attitude of far too many.

[Subversive_plot]

Barber, yes, tends to be 25 or 30 %

Waitstaff at a restaurant 20% (acceptable service), or 25% (great service), occasionally 30% for exceptional service.

All our heat, power, water delivered by pipe or cable.

We generally don't tip painters, roof cleaners, etc., just negotiate a rate and pay it, promptly.

[GraciesGran]

The bin men where we live are worth their weight in gold do I tip them.  Over the past few months we have had a series of different postmen so no.

[Hampshire Hog]

Afraid no tips here apart from in the hairdressers.( & restaurants)
Mind you I suspect my wife gives a tip that’s larger than my cost for the haircut. 

[JayG]

I've had the same window cleaners for all the 22 years I've lived here - they always were a bit erratic, which hasn't improved now they're starting to creak a bit.

A couple of years ago they came to clean the windows on Christmas Eve, just as I was about to leave to stay with a friend for the festivities. I gave one of them the usual money, and he stared glumly at his hand as if I'd just presented him with a fresh cowpat!

I now give them a bit over and above the usual fee throughout the year to compensate! 

[rowlandwells]

my wife used to be one of the local post ladies and because she would always go that extra bit people did  appreciate that and she had many Christmas gifts when they closed the local post office and all the staff where moved to a town sorting office and made all posties drive a van so my wife retired then and now we get a different postie every day

as we still have our milk delivered we do tip the milk boy and that's about all if someone does us a favour for free we always give them a tip

[Subversive_plot]

my wife used to be one of the local post ladies and because she would always go that extra bit people did  appreciate that and she had many Christmas gifts when they closed the local post office and all the staff where moved to a town sorting office and made all posties drive a van so my wife retired then and now we get a different postie every day

as we still have our milk delivered we do tip the milk boy and that's about all if someone does us a favour for free we always give them a tip

Because our mail carriers are all federal government employees, no tipping is allowed (against the law).

[Goosegirl]

I would only tip if someone has gone beyond their duties, but I always give a grateful big thank you to those who are polite and helpful such as the Waitrose chaps who deliver to us.

[Growster...]

It's now half-five, and very dark, and Andrew is still on his coal deliveries!

All the outside lights are on, and anyway, he uses a body-torch to find the bunker...

Fiver at the ready - he's a great chap!