Holiday Tipping? Oh, Brother!
I have always considered myself generous (almost to a fault- ask my husband). I tend to overtip on a daily basis. I enjoy receiving repeat services, and before living in a referral-based world, I was always extremely loyal (I am a Southerner after all!).
All that said, I apparently have committed a crime against the service industry by not tipping every person I come in contact with this month. There is proper etiquette to follow, but the “book” of etiquette seems to have been written in New York where people will punish you for not tipping… I could be wrong, I haven’t been there since I was 5.
Who will you be tipping this season? Here is MY “will tip” and “won’t tip” list:
My hair stylist- I DID tip Francesca because I value her services more than anyone else’s… seriously. This fancy blonde ain’t accidental, y’all! My husband tipped her a ridiculous amount. (Tip amount tip- equal to one visit)
The baristas- I WILL tip the baristas at both Starbuck’s we frequent. They are great- if your barista knows your drink and doesn’t have to ask you how many pumps of Classic syrup you want, you better tip them! (Tip amount tip- $20 per barista buddy, max 2 buddies per location)
The recycling & trash crew- I WILL NOT be tipping these clowns. They always leave the bins tipped into my driveway. I’ve had to get out of the car, move the cans and THEN drive onto my own property. Tipping didn’t fix it last year for anyone on the street. (Tip amount tip- if your service is good $10-25 plus a card)
USPS Deliverer- I WILL NOT tip these people. There is a new one every week and my mail gets to everyone BUT me. I keep getting a neighbor’s social security checks. She’s lucky I like her marginally… (Tip amount tip- USPS is not allowed to accept cash or gifts, so skip it regardless of service)
The Title Company- I WILL NOT be tipping them even if it were legal. They’ve gotten waaaaay too many policies from us this year! That’s tip enough. (Tip amount tip- your loyalty is all that’s necessary)
My Kids’ Teachers- I WILL NOT tip them. I had no idea people did this. Bath & Body works sets will be it. (Tip amount tip- keep it inexpensive so as not to appear to be bribing)
I don’t employ a personal trainer, life coach, driver, housekeeper (blame our OCD), door man, nanny, or babysitter (the kids aren’t babies). The article did show that Southerners are likely to tip the least, but they failed to mention that it is customary to be generous year round in our culture, even to those providing bad service. We typically tip regardless- we’re rarely stingy. Charity is different than serving those you interact with daily- it feels good. I encourage everyone to give everything you can to charity but don’t you dare forget those who support you every day… like your Realtor, perhaps??? 
What’s it like where YOU are? Who will YOU be tipping (or not tipping) this season?
December 21st, 2007 at 9:04 am
Hi Lani.
Excellent post. I like your advice on how much to tip.
I disagree with you on the teacher point. I have to admit, my wife is a teacher. My feeling on tipping the teacher is, if you are willing to tip the hairstylist equal to the cost of a haircut, the person moulding the mind of our young deserve more than a little gift. I think gift certicates to the local mall is a good idea.
Don’t forget office staff, for Realtor, having good office staff is important. I need to contribute to our office staff holiday bonus fund, any suggestions as how to handle this one.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:43 am
Steven- all great points! We have joint custody of the kiddos who go to school in Oklahoma (not Texas where we are). if their teachers could remember the childrens’ names (or how to spell them), be willing to respond to emails with simple questions about how they are performing, be able to recognize what areas the kids need help in, etc. I would gladly give them my right arm for Christmas. Since these particular teachers can’t, it’s a B&B gift basket or nothing!
MOST teachers deserve a massive tip- gift cards, thoughtful gifts, etc… I’m sure your wife is in that deserving category.
Great advice on office staff- slipped my mind since we’ve already done the big hoo-rah.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Frogs with disposable income. Nightmare.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:37 am
I do not feel emailing the teacher about a kid’s performance in school is accurate. It puts a lot of liabilities on the part of the teacher to respond to parent’s requests on the performance of their kids over the Internet or phone. The best solution is a face to face meeting.
Second of all, it is an outrage that waiters, waitresses, and other service-sector employees have to pay taxes on the tips they earn. The IRS makes an estimate of how much service-sector workers will make in tips, and taxes them on it even if the taxpayer did not actually earn as much as the IRS’ estimate!
Tips provide a substantial portion of the income of many service-sector employees, many of whom are young people just trying to make a few extra dollars to get through school, or single parents often balancing two jobs while trying to make enough to raise a family. This tax amounts to nothing more than the federal government punishing these employees for working hard and doing their jobs well.
Senator Ron Paul introduced H.R. 3664 in Congress to end this problem. The Tax Free Tips Act of 2007 will exempt tips from federal income and payroll taxes. Ending taxes on tips will give workers an immediate pay raise, letting them keep more money to put toward things like a house or car payment, their retirement, or their own and/or their children’s education.
When you give someone a tip, you should not have to simultaneously tip the federal government.