The lost art of tipping...

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-03-2008, 09:23 AM

Not just in restaurants, does anyone tip other people who do things for you?

We have guys coming to take down a huge tree today (actually 2 trees), and I want to tip them when they are finished (if they do a good job with clean-up, etc.), but honestly, I have no idea how much to tip them!

Just curious if anyone still tips people for things like this and how much would you tip?

**AmyBoz** · 07-03-2008, 09:27 AM

I am a tipper. Even when times are tight, I'm a tipper. My grandmother was a beautician and spent her days on her feet, and she was so exhuasted at the end of the day, and her feet hurt so badly. She got a paycheck, but of course, they really only make money on tips. So, my Dad (her son) passed on to me the thought that anyone who spends the day doing service jobs like this and are either on their feet all day or are doing hard, physical labor for you so you don't have to, you should tip them.

As for what to tip the tree-taker-downers? I have no clue. How much is the job costing you? That's generally a good way to figure it out.

We tip the movers when we move, we put change in the little tins at Dairy Queen and Dunkin Donuts. I tip hairdressers and waitresses and anyone else who does these jobs, and I tip generously. Actually, I should say that "I" do that. It drives dh crazy.

**The Muse** · 07-03-2008, 09:31 AM

If the tree guys own the tree removal business, I wouldn't tip them. If they don't own the business, I'd tip them $20/apiece.

In the past, I've tipped the insulation guys and furniture delivery guys. I like to tip generously because I've worked for tips in the past and a nice tip really brightened my day.

**cab54** · 07-03-2008, 01:52 PM

I am a big tipper.

My Mom raised 5 of us on waitress tips after my dad left her for a 19 year old. In the days before they went after dead beat dads. He hardly EVER paid child support and those tips kept us fed, clothed, and our house warm.

I recently tipped a teenage boy who put my groceries in the car, and he said "OH! You saved me! I am starved and had no lunch money!" He seemed seriously relieved! LOL! Cute kid.

**leezza** · 07-03-2008, 02:06 PM

I would tip them each $20 for doing a good job......to me it doesn't matter if they own the business or are employees.....if they do a good job tip them for it.

JMHO,
leezza

**stinkbug** · 07-03-2008, 02:10 PM

Keep in mind that some employees are not allowed to accept tips. You might check with the business owner before hand.

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-03-2008, 02:14 PM

If you have the money give them each 20.
I wish I could tip better but most of the time I barely have enough money to get the job done much less tip.

**bumplett** · 07-03-2008, 02:14 PM

I'm not a tipper.

**prftstrngr** · 07-03-2008, 02:24 PM

Im with the others...$20 a guy would be a good tip. Although I dont think I would ask the owner...then he might want a cut of it and I dont like that idea. Hey if you offer them $20 a piece...they arent gonna tell the boss!

**tbs727** · 07-03-2008, 02:28 PM

I tip generously for those who do a job well, and I give the standard tip to those who are just ok. That's my rule for waiters. I also tip my hairstylist.

**baxjul** · 07-03-2008, 03:53 PM

My dh is an electrician and he is always getting $20 tips when they have to do service calls.

**stinkbug** · 07-03-2008, 03:53 PM

I'm going off the experience that an employee could be fired for excepting tips ...... (I know of at least one local company that has this policy)

**blitzen** · 07-03-2008, 04:15 PM

Is all this tipping stuff regional or cultural or something? I'd go broke if I tipped everyone. Restaurant servers and hair people get tips from me. If I tipped the tree service guys that came her last fall, I would have gone broke! There were 6 or 7 of them to remove two small trees and grind a bunch of stumps!

On another board I am on, this topic has come up and people have talked about how they tip hotel workers and garbage men and you name it! I don't think it's the norm where I live, though.

I have read that postal employees cannot accept cash or gifts in excess of $20 in value.

**joeymoma93** · 07-03-2008, 10:56 PM

I was a server/bartender before I had my son and I decided to be a sahm. I will tell you I am a tipper . These are the people I tip servers (but we rarely go out to eat anymore) hair dressers (for my son,I let mine grow and then donate it to charity that means 1 haircut every 1-2 years),the newspaper delivery person (I now read online to save money and trees),and the pizza delivery person(I don't even order pizza anymore).
After stating all this I guess that if and when we get these things rarely now we tip. I'm not sure if I would have tipped the tree people. I'm leaning towards no.I don't think that they make minimal pay and count on tips like other service people do I remeber server wages were $2.65 per hour.

**Palooka** · 07-04-2008, 12:36 AM

I tip anyone and everyone that does a service for me...

I don't go out to eat unless I can afford a tip to give them or I am better off to them to stay home. Always 20% above for servers and hairstylist will be around 15%.

Any labor work they will get tipped.

I've even tipped movers. Heh, my heating and cooling guy is my dh's best friend. They do that barter system and just exchange 12 packs of beer. It works.