To tip, or not to tip? Every holiday season I ask myself this question. Whom, and how much should I tip? The "experts" tell me I should be tipping my hairdresser the cost of one salon visit. Well, I usually get full highlights and a cut at the cost of $125. That's a pretty hefty tip, especially for girl on a budget. Then I am told that I must tip the mailman (or woman), the milkman (yes, we get our milk delivered), the newspaper delivery boy, my garbage man and anybody else that provides us a regular service (the nanny, teacher, UPS driver, my dog groomer, limo driver and our maid). What if I've never even met my mailman (or woman)? We spend a pretty penny on our home delivered, organic and hormone-free milk that supports local farmers. Couldn't I just leave him some cookies? I really can't afford the recommended $30 tip, in addition to my $50 milk bill. And what about our garbage man? Newsweek says I should tip $15-$30 each. That's $60. Yes, we appreciate having our garbage picked up curbside every week, but I can't say that I appreciate having to walk out to the middle of the street and pick up my overturned garbage can that he couldn't be bothered to put back where he found it. Does that rate a tip? And we can't always count on our newspaper to show up. When it does show up, it's launched at our house in the wee hours of the morning. Apparently I am supposed to give him $25-$50.
Call me scrooge, but I think "Holiday Tipping" has gotten out of control. I consider our family the average middle-class American family. We don't make a ton of money, but we live comfortably. This year I quit my job to stay at home with the baby, which leaves a lot less money for Christmas spending. If I were to tip the "expert recommended" amount that doesn't leave much for family and friends. Not to mention the Christmas turkey and mashed potatoes.
I am the Folger limo driver, maid, laundry attendant, cook, errand-runner, diaper changer, dog-walker, accountant and housekeeper. Can I expect a large sum of money from the Folger moneymaker this year? Probably not. I think we'll spend it on gas to get back to MN for the holidays instead.
Whatever happened to a simple card that says "Thank You, I appreciate what you do for us"? Perhaps a candy cane as a nice added holiday touch.
For the record, Kami my hairstylist did get a little extra in her tip this year. After all, she's responsible for keeping me beautiful and highlighted. As for the garbage men, they'll have to settle for candy canes.
