| Author | |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 1:28pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I will start out by saying that I am not much of a tipper in general (it sort of makes me nervous/uncomfortable  ). Anyway, every year when I am ordering all of our books for school I feel as if I should tip our wonderful mailman, even though I never have. I have a 100 foot driveway and it has been very hot out, nevertheless, he always walks my large used book/Amazon orders up to the door. As I am sure you all know, when ordering used books, this whole process can go on for a few weeks as each book trickles in!
So, what would you do??? 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 1:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I wouldn't tip. But I might offer him some fresh-baked cookies as a little thank-you gift.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
organiclilac
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 30 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 640
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
What about a cold, bottled drink he could take with him on his route? I've never tipped our mailman, but I know some people leave a Christmas tip - you could consider that for all of his efforts throughout the year since he goes above and beyond!
__________________
Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristinannie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 27 2011
Location: West Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1363
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 2:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would definitely thank him for his hard work. Honestly, the best thing for him might be to write a letter to his supervisor telling them how he does such a great job!
__________________
John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 2:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I was thinking a nice cold bottle of water might be just the thing to offer him.
And the letter to his supervisor might be very nice.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Donna Marie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2530
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
As the wife of a mailman, let me just say that any kindness you give your mailman goes a long way. It is a hard job and the pressure on them is often very high.
My dh tries hard to be thoughtful of anyone on his route, he is also the first one that notices signs of trouble and goes out of his way to help others. The people on his route know this and will hand him a cold drink on a hot day or they will hand a hot dog over the fence when they are grilling etc. It really lifts his spirits.
If they do a good job, it is so very helpful that you call the post office and let them know. They are often so interested in numbers and times that they don't always know the good that the carriers do out on the street. The PO that my dh works for is extremely hard on the carriers because of politics and such. It is a shot-in-the-arm for them to know that they are more than just a timecard.
HTH...just my .02
__________________
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 4:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you Donna for your input and everyone else's for that matter!
I am *definitely* going to hand write a letter and deliver it personally tomorrow to the PO. I certainly want him, and his boss, to know how much I appreciate all that he has done.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen T
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 927
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 4:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Donna Marie,
thanks for posting that - it is especially helpful to hear from someone firsthand! We have a wonderful mail carrier here, too, and I really should call and compliment her work to the supervisor. I have handed out cold water on hot days.
Our carriers here deliver everything on foot, and most of the houses have the old mailboxes right on the front of the house next to the door, so it's a lot of walking for them. I always worry in the winter b/c we have a steep driveway, so I make sure one of the kids clears a path on the driveway as soon as possible after it snows.
Karen
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our mailman is incredible! Someone knocked over our mailbox. The first day, he got out of the truck and put the mail in the box on the ground. Then we were picking our mail up at the post office for a couple of weeks because my husband couldn't get out to fix the post in the winter weather. We were okay with that. But then I came home one day to see a strange car in the driveway - it was the mailman! He brought his tools from home and fixed the mailbox on his own time! He didn't want to be paid, so we more than gladly baked him cookies. Turns out he is a homeschooling dad!
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 7:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
hylabrook1 wrote:
Our mailman is incredible! Someone knocked over our mailbox. The first day, he got out of the truck and put the mail in the box on the ground. Then we were picking our mail up at the post office for a couple of weeks because my husband couldn't get out to fix the post in the winter weather. We were okay with that. But then I came home one day to see a strange car in the driveway - it was the mailman! He brought his tools from home and fixed the mailbox on his own time! He didn't want to be paid, so we more than gladly baked him cookies. Turns out he is a homeschooling dad!
Peace,
Nancy |
|
|
Neat! Our former mailman was a homeschool dad, too. He looked a lot like my dad. And our new mailman has the same name as my dad, Daryl.  And my dad married a mail carrier after my mom died.
Anyway, are mail carriers allowed to accept money. I know I've had this conversation with my stepmom before, but I can't remember. I know they can accept gifts, but I thought maybe not cash???
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 7:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh I almost forgot.. I had a whole bunch of stuff come UPS one year and spur of the moment I was able to grab a jar of homemade jam to give the driver.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angi
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 23 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 521
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 9:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I tend to leave hot coffee in the mailbox when it is really cold, or cocoa, depending on what he likes. I leave a note that if he brings the cup back, I will refill it ;) i tend to use an extra insulated mug with a lid, s getting it back is always nice.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mom2mpr
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 16 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1550
|
| Posted: June 27 2011 at 10:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We leave the mailman, library box delivery lady and UPS a holiday "tip."
Usually it is a gift card to a local grocery store where they can buy just about anything from lunch to groceries to gas.
Living rurally we get a lot of packages and our UPS man told us he used his gift card to buy the dog treats he leaves for all his doggie friends--ours included.
I use the library box way too much. Last year I had a few issues that necessitated calling the office and I got to know most of the staff. I already met the delivery lady who was always calling to let me know she dropped stuff off, or couldn't fit a book in, etc. I got them all a Subway gift card and it was a hit. I called the office a few times after and each person I spoke to thanked me profusely.
I think the small tokens of appreciation really make their days...
__________________
Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
leanne maree
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 25 2008
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 508
|
| Posted: June 28 2011 at 7:00am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We used to give our mailman a little gift.
He was really kind.
our youngest dd used to run up the driveway to collect the mail from him.
She would give him a big hello and a thank you.
He always waited for her.
Especially on wet days, He would bring our book orders down to our front door. It was a steep driveway, he loved driving up or down it.
We have moved now, we have a younger mailman, and we haven't really built up a repaul with him as yet.
So we have given him any 'tips' as such.
Leanne
__________________
God is Love
Leanne
Loving wife to Dermot and Adoring mother to Louise, Kristie, Kieran & Brid
http://leannemaree.blogspot.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stellamaris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2732
|
| Posted: June 28 2011 at 8:32am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our mailman, whom I knew personally, used to bring candy for the kids. They loved him! He often had to walk to the door with books  . The kids would race to see who could open the door first and get the candy! He reminded me of Mr. McFeely on the Mr. Rogers show. We were all sad when he retired.
I do tip our various service people (garbage collectors, mailman) the day after Christmas, I usually put $10-$20 dollars in an envelope with a card for them. Last year I made a plate of cookies for our librarians, which they really seemed to appreciate. So many of the librarians are community volunteers and I think it is important to recognize and be grateful for their contribution. I also took cookies to our auto repair shop, since our old car spends so much time there !
__________________
In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
|
| Posted: July 07 2011 at 2:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Something to drink now, and something delicious at the holidays (I make some bang-up cream cheese pound cakes, I usually give one of those to those "service" people I see frequently).
Rachel
__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mavmama
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 01 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 618
|
| Posted: July 07 2011 at 3:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I always leave something for our mail carrier and the trash guys at Christmas. Food, gift cards, whatever-they really appreciate it. When we moved redently, i made a point to stop at he post office and let them know how much we appreciated our mail lady. She was always so great to the kids! Anyway, the supervisore went ot the back and she was there so got to come out and talk to me personally. I could tell she was happy.
When we got here, the new mail lady actually stopped and got out of her truck to walk up the drive and welcome us. She will definately get our thanks!
__________________
Liz
Blessed by 4 wonders
dd11, dd911, ds9, ds8
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Do you tip your mailman?
