TOTALLY GEEKED!

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

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sweet tooth wrote:

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Where do you people work that you all make enough to tip everyone and his brother?

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 This is a very good point.  20 years ago no way could I tip as I do today.  I now have the income to do so and I really want people in lower paying jobs to know how much I appreciate their service if they go above and beyond.  I understand that not everyone has had the opportunities I had but their services are valuable too and I want them to know that.

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 This is me too. I have a pretty good paying job, especially for the area I live. A few years ago, I was living paycheck to paycheck and not quite making ends meet. I am very aware of my blessings, so I like to share now that I can

Southern_Belle wrote:

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Speaking of feet.... you wouldn't believe how people show up for surgery. Gag. We've had to use bone cutters for toenails because they are so gross and overgrown.

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 Could be that some or all of them are nursing home patients who don't have access to nail clippers, or cannot do it themselves, and are not getting decent podiatric care.

ed11563 wrote:

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Southern_Belle wrote:

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Speaking of feet.... you wouldn't believe how people show up for surgery. Gag. We've had to use bone cutters for toenails because they are so gross and overgrown.

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 Could be that some or all of them are nursing home patients who don't have access to nail clippers, or cannot do it themselves, and are not getting decent podiatric care.

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 If a patient is a diabetic in a nursing home nurses are not allowed to trim their nails.  At least in TX.  They have to see a podiatrist.  The reason is because of increased chance of infection if you accidentally cut too deep or get a hang nail.

I don't make a whole lot, and I have a pile of student loans to pay. I can't really afford to live an affluent lifestyle, but I plan the gratuities into my budget for the rare outings I take.

Servers, valets, bell hops, and maids are generally the only people I tip. I don't get manis/pedis. When DH and I get a house, we'll probably do a Christmas gift for our mail carrier.

We don't give our mail man anything. He gets $20 an hour. Not tipping him.

lilyofcourse wrote:

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We don't give our mail man anything. He gets $20 an hour. Not tipping him.

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This.

             I understand tipping people who don't make much money, esp if they make less than minimum wage like in a restaurant.

             But I'm not tipping someone who makes more money than I do and has better benefits.             

I used to carry mail. Very few people tip their postal person. More of them leave goodies out for them. Like a loaf of banana bread or some cookies. Some little goodie that says I care.

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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I used to carry mail. Very few people tip their postal person. More of them leave goodies out for them. Like a loaf of banana bread or some cookies. Some little goodie that says I care.

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 I thought that you couldn't tip in cash to letter carriers, and that there was a $20 limit on the value of a "gift"

I used to get a gift card for mine, to Starbucks, Subway, etc.

They may accept gifts valued at $20 or less. THey may not accept cash or gift cards in any amount.

about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22349/html/cover_025.htm

When I remember, I leave a gift for our mail carrier. But I'm not always consistent.

JPT wrote:

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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I used to carry mail. Very few people tip their postal person. More of them leave goodies out for them. Like a loaf of banana bread or some cookies. Some little goodie that says I care.

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 I thought that you couldn't tip in cash to letter carriers, and that there was a $20 limit on the value of a "gift"

I used to get a gift card for mine, to Starbucks, Subway, etc.

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 That's correct.

I just don't see why I would tip the mailman in the first place.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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So who else? Your daycare worker? Babysitter? How much tip for valet parking? Maybe we should tip flight attendants too ? Why not?

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 I do give CGs to the counselors at before school care  and to DD's teacher at the holidays.  

Thanks. That is my original avatar. The blue spikey fuzz ball. A bit prickly on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside, lol.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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I think there are ways to thank people without giving them money or gift cards. A simple handwritten thank you note . Or even verbally, just go up and say " I want to thank you for all your good service, etc". I got off the Christmas Train a long time ago. The only people I buy for are DH, my kids and immediate relatives. I have no desire to make Christmas into some big thing where I have to run around buying everyone gift cards. I mean, if you want to do it, then by all means. Enjoy doing so. But, I think the need to tip for Take out and everything else is getting silly.

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I couldn't agree more.

Now THIS is a tip -

“He would always tip 20 percent. He never even looked at the bill.”

A wealthy regular of Donahue's Steak House went above and beyond his normal tipping rate when he doled out $50,000 each in his will for two servers, The New York Post reports.

Robert Ellsworth, an art collector worth millions, lived in a 20-room apartment at 960 Fifth Avenue, a coveted building that was nicknamed "The Impenetrable Co-Op" by New York Magazine. It's the same building that broke record for priciest co-op last year, when a unit sold for $70 million. Ellsworth made the fifteen block trek to dine at Donohue’s for the last fifty years of his life, sometimes visiting for two meals a day.

It had become somewhat of his second home before he passed away in August of 2014 at age 85.

Maureen Donohue-Peters is the daughter of the restaurant’s founder, and has worked in the family restaurant her whole life. She was shocked and grateful to have been included in Ellsworth’s will, along with her niece, Maureen Barrie. They were referred to in the will as "Maureen-at-Donohue's" and "Maureen-at-Donohue's Niece Maureen."

Despite Ellsworth's highly regular visits, he never learned the last names of the women who had become his favorite servers.

Ellsworth was “more than just a customer,” Donohue-Peters told the Post, who knew him for 53 years.

“He was a wonderful man and a dear friend,” Barrie added.

This isn't the first time that humble servers have been blown away with generous and unexpected tips, but this was a demonstration of gratitude for a lifetime of service, not just a random act of kindness.

Ellsworth left $100,000 to his household staff and other friends as well.

Well, I shocked the heck out of the flatbed driver.

I don't think the poor man had ever gotten a tip, before yesterday.

The charge was $75 dollars, to move Conor's T-bird out of my garage, and drop it in Conor's garage.

The poor man, pushed it himself, to get it in far enough, to close the garage door. He was sweating bullets. That car is heavy.

I gave him a $20 tip.

He looked at me, and said," Ma'am, are you sure?"

I said, "You just went above and beyond, to give me great service. Of course I want you to have a tip!"

He said," Ma'am, I thank you. I was down to my last $5 until payday." (He gets paid on Fridays, so payday is today.)

I think I made his day.

(Little does he know, he really made my day! I have my bay in the garage back!)

I drove on a flat tire into a mechanic's shop one day. He took a look at it, told me it was toast, and put the spare on for me. He wouldn't take any money so I had a large pizza delivered to his garage (it was a bit last lunchtime when I was there and he mentioned he had not eaten yet). I figured he couldn't turn that down.

But I agree with Gaga - I don't tip everyone just because. Never tipped a mail carrier or a garbage person. I do tip my hair stylist well. My hair is difficult and finding someone who can deal with it is hard. I treat him well.