How Do I Tip The Trash Collector?
Invariably this time of year, all the “tipping experts” of the world unite and tell us ignorant folk what to do. But how do I tip the trash collector? I’m never around during pickup. Put a wrapped package beside the can and hope it doesn’t get overlooked? Tape an envelope to the bucket and hope it doesn’t blow away? U.S. Postal Carriers aren’t allowed cash or anything worth over $20, so I usually give out either gift cards or I’ve also done lottery tickets. Some of them seemed really surprised to get them. I don’t have anything else - nannies, gardeners, personal trainers…
Where I used to live, people leave out a case of beer or soda for the trash collector. No idea why, but maybe because it’s pretty easy to spot. People have never heard of it here. Does anyone else do that?
December 20th, 2006 at 11:48 am
I usually leave a 6 pk case of nice beer if I know they are guys and a gift certificate to Macy’s, linen & things, bath & body works if it’s a woman.
One year, my dad put out his entire collection of porn that he wanted to get rid of. Boy were the guys happy to get that haha.
December 20th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
I’ve never heard of people tipping the trash collector! I’d be worried that any gift I left out would automatically be tossed into the garbage truck! And if you left out a case of beer here, it would either be gone by the time the garbage men came, or you’d get a fine for improper recycling! I’ve never tipped a mail carrier either. My newspaper delivery person leaves me a pre-addressed envelope, so I usually do send a little something.
December 20th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
My girlfriends mom is a postal carrier and she gets TONS of gifts. We’re staying with her right now as we’re saving for a house (we’re closing on the 28th of this month) and she came home last night with a chocolate orange, a large pack of deer sausage, a big pack of Ghiradelli chocolate, and some home made chocolates. She says it’s pretty common people leave gifts for them and the garbage collectors in the mail box or on top of the garbage cans. We’re in Minnesota, I don’t know if it’s like this elsewhere..
JL
December 20th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Tipping is a waste of money. Don’t let society and friends pressure you into throwing your values and money away.
December 20th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
I’m in the camp that pretty much doesn’t tip anybody. This year I have a concierge (well, about 10 of them, it seems, but one has actually stood out as doing a good job), so I actually have someone I am “supposed” to tip. I doubt I’ll get them anything, though. I’m not a fan of tipping in general - call me Mr. Pink. I do tip (and generously for good service) at restaurants/bars, though.
I think the taping an envelope on the lid is the best bet, but there’s a good chance they will overlook that. The other option might be to call the trash company and ask them for ideas. Of course, they might not like the idea of tips in general, so that might not go well.
Just out of curiosity, are you tipping because you “should”, or because the trash people have done an exceptional job? With my concierge, at least I’ve spoken with this guy multiple times, so there’s some level of personal bond.
December 20th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
My parents have always tipped the trashed collectors. Typically, my mom taped a big envelope to the top of the trash can right around Christmas. Sometimes she had us kids watch out for the trash collector and then run outside to alert them of the tip. I think it is a nice practice espeically because we always had extra trash right after Christmas with all the paper and such.
December 20th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Postal carriers and garbage truck/Recycling employees seem like they get paid pretty good anyway. Of course you if you feel led to bless them then go for it. If you have to get up early to meet them then do so.
If you have extra to give out this time of year, try a random acts of kindness. Pay for gas for someone behind you at the convenience store; pay for the person’s meal behind you at the drive up (yes, even at Starbucks!). Its great if your shy about talking to strangers; the clerk will do all the explaining for you!
Merry Christmas!
December 20th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Ah, giving porn for the holidays, just like our forefathers
I’ve always lived in apartments up until recently, so I’m really just curious about the actual mechanics here. My mailbox is at the front door, not by the curb. Living in the NW, it’s highly likely lots of wind and rain will be involved.
Pre-addressed envelopes - I can’t decide if that’s tacky or practical, given my own confusion!
I’m pretty much with the people who are trying to keep up with society norms, while keeping practical. If nobody told me that people do this, then I wouldn’t tip anybody who earned a regular salary (non-waitstaff). Mail carriers and trash collectors do earn a solid income, sure.
At the same time, I see nothing wrong with thanking the people who serve us with a little gift at the end of the year. I don’t think I’ll give more than $10 though. I still like the idea of scratch-off lottery tickets. Or I’m going to give them some beer and start the tradition here!
I just moved, but things seem very mechanical here. When I leave out extra trash, they charge me for it! Maybe they’d look the other way if I tipped…
December 20th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Put a white envelope tapped to the trash can. Then put $5 in it with a note saying thanks. Just wait until you have to throw out something big like a TV. They’ll take it
- Bryan
December 20th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
There are some cheap bastards on this site. I’m not saying you should tip because society says so, but if you have a good relationship with a service employee and they do a good job of providing you that service then it is not “a waste of money” to tip or give an annual gift.
December 20th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Leaving beer/porn beside the road could get you in trouble with the law if someone underage ended up coming along. In today’s sue everyone environment, I wouldn’t risk that.
Where I live, trash collection is very automated, they only have one driver and he never leaves the cab of the truck as an arm just comes out, grabs the can and dumps it. He is never at my house more than a minute or two.
I tried dropping off a card to the postmaster once, they made me buy postage for it even though I was hand delivering it. This was even in a small local office where she keeps you talking for 20 minutes every day you come in to stave off the boredom. I haven’t done it since.
December 20th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
I used to make excellent tips as a newspaper girl. My customers were all billed via postcard, and there was a checkbox to add a tip to the bill. I think at Christmas I earned roughly an extra month’s pay, which was awesome. It was a townhouse route so I had to get out of the car to toss them up to the porch. One of my most generous customers was the one whom we started with, so he’d get his paper by 5:30am when he left for work. It’s nice to know the extras are appreciated.
I will probably tip my mailman since he has to get out of the truck and walk up to my apt. to deliver mail.
The best tip my parents ever left was a bottle of good booze for their mailman! They figured he needed it after hauling hundreds of college info packets to our house when my stepsister and I were applying at the same time
December 20th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
What is the logic behind who gets tipped and who does not ? Should one a tip a salesman at a computer store ? TSA employees at airport ? Dell support center employees ?
December 20th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Frankly, I don’t understand tipping.
If you take generosity to the extreme, give the money to charity. $10 is enough to save a life. $10 will pay for multiple vaccinations. (Or if you take it even more extreme, keep the money, invest it, and then donate it.)
If you take greediness to the extreme, then keep the money or spend it on a friend.
Why waffle in the middle? To make yourself feel better?
December 20th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Our trash collector went on strike; no tip for him!
December 20th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Yes, if you live in an urban area, perhaps leaving out liquor and adult material isn’t the best idea ever
I don’t see tipping as charity. However, it is also a personal thing and you should give as you see fit. Don’t want to give? Just don’t give then, you broke no laws, the world will keep on spinning.
I see it as a Thank You to people who have an effect on your everyday quality of life. Your nanny. Your doorman. Even the barista, if you go every single day. The UPS guy, if they come every day. If they somehow make your quality of life worse, then there’s nothing to say thanks for!
I call it Karma, but if you want to be more practical about it - these people have the ability to go beyond the call of duty to help you out later in life; Do you think they will more or less likely to do so if you don’t even go a tiny bit beyond for them? You don’t need to give money, maybe do a favor for them or some other gift.
December 20th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
I think the comments by the nontippers are a little harsh and extreme. It seems they feel like they are obligated or coerced into tipping.
The way I look at it is, if the person went the extra mile with their job, or if you had them do extra work for you (eg you throwing away a mattress or large appliance), and you appreciate it, there’s no harm in tipping them. Also, I know that when I need them to help me out in the future, they will be more likely to oblige (eg when I dump a lot of garage when moving, or when I am expecting an expensive package that I can expect them to put it in a safe place or give it to me by hand).
As to how to give the gift, the garbage man & mailman usually comes the same days around the same time. Just give them the gift in person. It’s more sincere and will prevent your gift from being stolen or lost.
PS to Melvin’s comment: Porn was in a bag, so I wouldn’t be able to help it if a minor did decide to rumage through my garbage and tear open the bag and found porn in it; Not very many kids play with garbage these days.
December 20th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
not until I see this post, I didn’t even know that there’s a tipping for all the service people for your house such as mailman/woman or trash collectors. This is going to be a small problem for me. 1st, we have a maillady, a set of trash collectors, and the special trash (recycle items) all come in on different schedules. That means I have to prepare 3 set of gifts. 2nd, I thought a nice cookie or some home baked stuff is nice enough. Money is going to be problemetic. We don’t have any, no one is tipping me for my job (my boss just announced that they are issuing some stock option rather than bonus this year - my computer is a startup). Another thing is how do you measure preformance? Are they really doing a better job than those who don’t get tips when they collect trash in a poorer neighborhood?
Maybe a thank you note is more approperite.
December 20th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
southern california here.
never heard of tipping like this.
i will in the future if i can.
current mailman doesn’t seem to understand how to put mail in the box though.
December 21st, 2006 at 3:12 am
umm my garbage man never gets out of his truck b/c theres a robot arm picking up my trash can
December 21st, 2006 at 5:22 am
Heres a thought for all those who don’t understand tipping or never thought about it:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! IF you worked as a service provider would you want a tip? Especially having to put up with all the crap that the general public likes to dish out… anyway, just think about it.
December 21st, 2006 at 7:28 am
Our office (about 75 people) just took up a collection for the couple that cleans our offices every day. They are a hardworking husband and wife from Korea. We collected $380.00 and they were very surprised and happy.
December 21st, 2006 at 7:50 am
My mom tips the mail carrier if he/she at least does a decent job. The new one will not get a tip because he’s useless and refuses to deliver mail to them in bad weather.
For the trash collectors, we would leave out a case of beer only if we had a lot of extra trash (I’m talking 5+ extra large black bags). But for the municipalities, this type of tipping is a nightmare because of the potential for having a drunk guy driving a huge garbage truck around.
December 21st, 2006 at 7:51 am
I’m actually against the tipping that goes on in this country. It’s why foreign people come here and don’t understand that every single thing requires a tip. That anything they eat has a tip jar, that the tax driver wants a tip that somebody even doing their job and getting paid to do the job wants a tip. Of course I think we should tip waiters, since their salary depends on tips and we should expect good service since we’re the ones paying for the service.
I just think it’s gotten out of hand that everybody has their hands out for just doing their job. If your car breaks down and you need it towed for instance expect to pay a tip even if the person is already charging you a few hundred dollars. It’s why I think it’s out of hand
December 21st, 2006 at 11:19 am
Where I live, it would be impossible to tip the trash collector unless I stood outside with my gift and waited for them. So many people roam the alleys looking for recyclables, food, shelter, etc. that my gift would never reach its intended recipient if I just left it out. Also, I’m not sure why this is, but a trash truck picks up trash in my alley every single weekday. It seems that our trash is only picked up once a week, but that different apartment buildings and condos on the street all have different trash collectors. Is this possible? Basically, I don’t even know what day our trash is picked up since I hear trucks daily.
December 21st, 2006 at 2:53 pm
You mentioned that garbage collection is very mechanical around here, I live in Seattle and I agree. I have been charged for extra trash, I think I was even charged once for extra recycle. I don’ t have a problem with tipping the trashman if you want, but given how structured they are, I can’t see them going out of their way for me if I ever needed them. Anyway, how about giving them a Starbucks gift card or something similar?
December 22nd, 2006 at 2:40 am
Ahh tipping this is definitely a not so clearcut practice. Here’s my opinion:
If the person is in a position to do you a favor and you want special treatment you tip. Also if the job relies on tips (i.e. they are minimum wage workers) you should do it. If they are just doing their job and you are a number to them, no reason to tip.
Always Tip: Bartender (you want heavy pours and not to have to wait for the next one), Haircutter (they work for tips), Server (they check to see if everythings ok as opposed to just plopping the food down), If you live in a house and the person makes a special trip just for you - a tip is approriate (mail carrier, garbage person, UPS/FedEx person - if you have lots of deliveries), If you want your paper on your porch as opposed to the end of your driveway - tip. SkyCaps at the airport - they are saving you time by checking you in at the curb. Taxi’s helping you with your bags and getting you where you need to go quickly. You get the idea.
No Need To Tip: Restaurants that don’t have a spot for tipping on the credit card reciept yet their employees put out tip jars - an example is Togos (Sandwitch shop). They are getting paid to make your food, unless they bus your table or bring you drinks they arent doing any special service for you. If you live in a multi-unit complex and the mail comes to a central mailbox with 50-100+ slots - you are a number no need to tip. If Garbage men empty dumpsters as opposed to something specific to your unit.
As some people mentioned, with our modern culture of “fairness”, “don’t offend anyone”, “All people are equal”, and political correctness many companies don’t allow tipping due to the fact that they don’t want service providers playing favorites. Fairly unAmerican in my opinion and partially why service in this country is declining. Capitalism is about finding ways to get a leg up, not being held down by pricks that aren’t in your situation. Ever seen service in countries that don’t tip - it sucks…
That being said, developing a friendly relationship with people that provide you service can be even more effective than tipping - that technique works regardless of whether tipping is allowed or not. Knowing people’s names sometimes goes a lot further than simply handing them a buck and treating them like the hired help…
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:39 am
I pretty much agree with J.T. My only note: restaurant servers should be tipped not just because they’re checking on you and your food, but because they make LESS than minimum wage and rely on tips (like hair stylists) for income.
But overall, I’d say “Tip for extra special service.”
The bartender example is prime: If you want big pours, tip. If you want skimpy pours, don’t tip. Either way, the bartender is “doing his job.” But he/she gives you a little something extra if you’re a good customer.
As a result, we heavily tip restaurant servers (especially places we are regulars), bartenders and such.
We tip our garbage men because we sometimes put out big boxes or other items that the trash is not supposed to collect. We tip the mailman/UPS/Fed Ex because I work from home and get A LOT of packages delivered throughout the year. These guys provide more than the “regular service” for me, and I respond in kind by tipping.
And to all those non-tippers: Don’t complain when you get a little pour or lousy service at a restaurant, or when your garbage man doesn’t pick up that big refrigerator box. You probably would have gotten better service if you had been a little more generous of spirit (and cash) at holiday time.
December 22nd, 2006 at 11:53 am
I think the distance in opinions on tipping here is so great because we have different relationships with these people.
Some people say hi to the mailman everyday, and perhaps interacted with him/her the first time due to some special effort made on his/her part with an unusual delivery. In my case, I never see the mailman but certainly interact with everyone in the neighborhood every evening as we exchange our delivered mail to the proper owner - no tip from me!
When I received the paper, though, the paperboy always got a decent tip at Christmas. Only once in five years did I wonder “Where is my paper today?”, and honestly I think some kids on their way to school stole it that time.
The key word for this decision is “personal”, as Jonathan said. If you don’t interact with the individual, it’s not expected or required. If you do, then why not give a holiday thank you?
December 22nd, 2006 at 12:47 pm
When we had a regular trash guy (I think he switched routes or something because he hasn’t been our guy this year), I’d just make sure I was home that day, and bring it out to him. We’d usually give a big box of chocolates or other foodstuff, something tasty but easy to regift if their dietary needs so require. We also give gifts to the post carrier and other nice people who are around all year.
December 26th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Same way you tip a cow!
January 11th, 2007 at 12:48 am
good old cow tip’n - a badger tradition!
I never thought of tipping the tash collectors or postal carrier, but now I’m all for it. I remember a few extra smelly trash days so I must owe someone for that and my wife once got a bunch of free magazine subscriptions. That must have been a tough year for our postal carrier (she walks from house to house carrying the mail - and our free magazines) so I think she is due for a nice tip of some sorts.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I know i’m late but at least i’m early for this year’s chritmas. The day after Christmas is reserved for giving gifts to those who serve you in some countries (Europe & Caribbean) it’s called “Boxing Day”. As in leave a gift in a small “box” for the mailman/ thrash collector. Yes they get paid but you are thanking them for their service. It’s not considered tipping or charity. Just thoughful gratitude!
February 24th, 2007 at 12:42 am
There are people that go through the garbage and recycling bins every week. So it would instantly be snatched up by them. I can’t leave a single can outside for smokes without someone grabbing it.
March 24th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
In spring and summer leave a cold drink other than beer it is hot this time of year. (not all trash collectors drink alcohol. I don’t.)Christmas season it does not matter. Tape the tip to the part of the trash can that is facing the road or leave the drink on top with a note. I am a trash collector and if I find a drink on the trash or ground I would probably throw it away because I have no idea where it has been.
May 9th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Being a foreigner 15% tipping at the restaurants doesn’t quite make sense for me.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:47 am
I think anyone that collects trash for a living is doing a job that I wouldn’t want to do. Therefore, I am HAPPY to give him $20 at Christmas time.
The trashmen, mail people and newspaper carriers SERVE you EVERYDAY of the year. That, in my opionion, is deserving of a tip once a year.
Anyone that doesn’t “believe” in tipping doesn’t understand that this isn’t something new. It’s been going on forever. Years! At least 40 years - because I’m 38 and I remember my parents doing it when I was a child. It’s a nice, thoughtful thing to do for people you don’t know, who serve you all year long. Even $5. It’s a nice way to say thank you.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
This is absolutely the most insane, ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my entire life. Tipping trash collectors? Mail carriers? Who’s next? Frankly, tipping in America has been totally blown out of proportion. Even to the employees who are paid well (trash collectors, mail carriers, etc)? This is ridiculous.
I for one am not a tipper, no more baby. I’d rather give it charity, which I do. I used to tip at restaurants, but I hardly go to fine restaurants any more. I am cooking healthy meals at home. I am fed up with unhealthy food.
What really gets me is that employees at Starbucks and Sonic expect a tip?!? WTF?!? Even better. Get this. I went to fill up propane at AmeriGas. I am not joking. The guy expected a tip. What in the world is going on?!? Where is tipping headed in America? This is total BS!
December 9th, 2008 at 6:29 am
As far as tipping trash collectors?
I tip them because they don’t throw the trash cans all over; because they take ALL my trash I put out; because they don’t block the road when their are cars coming; I tip them because they do the things they do NOT have to do.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I tip the mailman, paper delivery person and the trash collector. I don’t care how much money they make. They provide a service and it’s a nice way to say thank you.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t know where to leave the tip - and amused over responses to everything other than the question asked. Have taped it to the trash but now just run it out to the curb on a week when I hear them coming. .. but also worry that it will go to the substitute trash person.
My Dad used to leave a fifth of scotch (over 50 years ago) but I feel weird leaving alcohol so I give $20.
I don’t get the anger about not tipping. No one is forcing you, and those of us who tip do so voluntarily, so what’s the problem?
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Our three trashmen wave and say “hi” to my kids every day they come to pick up. Some days, they’ll run the trashcans back up the driveway to the garage door. They have taken away all of my kids’ smelly diapers for a combined total of four years now and they are still nice to us, so in my mind they have more than earned a small gesture from us.
I filled three treat bags with homemade Christmas cookies and put cards with $10 inside on each of the three bags. The last day they came before Christmas, I took them out to them. It was 16 degrees out and those guys had no gloves on. They were so happy and you know what? It made me feel good to do something nice for some guys who brighten our day.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I know my cookies aren’t gold, but if I were outside in 15 degree weather collecting disgusting trash at Christmas time, I would be grateful to see that someone thought of me. I don’t really see it as leaving a tip, just spreading some kindness..there’s very little of that out there these days.