M is for Money

To tip or not to tip, that is the question

Many people find themselves flummoxed at holiday time, it is customary to tip the people providing us services at the end of the year. It shows your appreciation for the job they do and hopefully, in turn they will work harder to make you happy. But who do you tip and how much is appropriate?

First, as with any etiquette question there are no hard and fast rules to follow. You have to go with your gut, everyone’s situation is unique. I don’t have to worry about whether to give my chauffer a tip or not, cause I don’t have one! But maybe you do, and yes you should probably tip him or her.

Who to Tip

You typically tip service providers, people like waitresses and valets. At holiday time you should acknowledge the people who make your daily life easier, especially those who get no recognition the rest of the year. Here are just a few of the people whom etiquette says should receive a tip this time of the year:

Housekeepers
Dog Walkers
Babysitters and Nannies
Day Care Providers
Personal Trainers
Doormen
Gardener
Building Superintendent
Newspaper Delivery Person
Garbage Person
Mail Carriers
Parking Attendants at work or home
Hairdressers and Manicurists
Personal Assistants

This list may or may not apply to you. Generally you only tip people who have provided you with regular service throughout the year, no need to tip the paperboy if you just moved into the neighborhood. Also, if you give your hairdresser a generous tip each time you go to the salon, it’s not really necessary to stop by in December just to tip them more. They already know you appreciate them.

What to Tip

Tips are typically given as cash, but that is not always appropriate. For example, mail carriers are not allowed to accept cash. In this case, a small gift will do. Also, if money is tight a homemade gift is an acceptable substitute. Better to acknowledge the person somehow than ignore them completely. Here is a rough guideline on what to tip each of our service providers:

Housekeepers – cash or gift equal to 1 week’s pay
Dog Walkers - cash or gift equal to 1 week’s pay
Babysitters – one night’s pay
Nannies – one week’s pay
Day Care Providers – cash or small gift to each person caring for your child
Personal Trainers – 1 session’s pay
Doormen – cash or gift ($15+ value)
Gardener – cash or gift ($20+ value)
Building Superintendent - cash or gift ($20+ value)
Newspaper Delivery Person - $10 to $20 cash
Garbage Person – small gift or cash, check your local rules
Mail Carriers – only gifts under $20 per federal rules
Parking Attendants - small gift or cash ($10 - $20)
Hairdressers and Manicurists – cost of one session
Personal Assistants – one week’s pay

How much to tip also depends on the nature of your relationship, where you live and many other factors. You should take these numbers as suggestions only and tailor your tipping to fit your situation. Also, tipping every single person on this list could get out of hand! You may decide just to tip a few of the more important people in your life rather than stretch yourself thin to tip everyone. Remember there is no right or wrong answer to how much to tip. Ask yourself how valuable that person is and the service they provide. Show the people who are important to you that you appreciate their services and they are certain to remember.


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