Tips: milkman yes, postman no

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/commen ... 097600.ece

Robert Crampton: Notebook

I’m guessing that a lot of readers know that yesterday is called Boxing Day because traditionally it was the time when the wealthy boxed up presents for the less wealthy. I also suspect many will have had, may well still be having, a dilemma about whether to persevere with this particular festive ritual.

I’m thinking of those people who, although they have done well out of 21st-century capitalism, would like still to believe in 20th-century socialism and so worry that a minor act of 19th-century paternalism looks a lot like 13th-century feudalism.

I used to know what I thought about tipping. As a 14-year-old paper boy, delivering the Hull Daily Mail six nights a week, Monday to Saturday, for £1.50, which worked out at roughly 19p an hour, I had no problem whatsoever at Christmas 1978. Risible 10p piece? Unimaginably generous fiver? Inappropriate tumbler of scotch? Bring them on.

Neither did I complain when, as a milkman’s assistant, slipping on that special Northern Dairies coat every Saturday and Sunday, my boss gave me a slice of his Christmas box every year. Did I say “Lenny! No! How could you be so condescending? I feel oppressed!â€

[pinstripe]

As this is a public forum, I'll keep my reply to this 'person' clean and unabusive. But I'll think it.
Typical Times, eh! I didn't actually think that Times/Telegraph/Sun/Mail readers would tip anyway as minimum wage is costing them so much. This article only highlights the difference between them and the real people in this country.

[saru]

There's always one pretentious tw@t on every round! The "newly rich" are the worst, the people who've grown into their money, or were born with it, are generally very nice.

[DirtyHarry]

There's always one pretentious tw@t on every round!

I've about a dozen on mine.

[smokerjim]

The working class - especially those of the retired generation are the ones that I find tend to tip more often than not - might only be 50p more or less, but it's what they can afford....and that is what touches me.

I will come clean and admit I done well this year - comes from being in a reasonable area of Sevenoaks - but many commented on me being a good postman, giving a good service ( any lineos reading this look in the dictionary, especially under the phrase "Public Service" ) and always smiling and being happy, come rain or shine....but it wouldn't bother me if I got £1 or £10....if that's what they can afford, I appreciate it all very highly.

As yer man said, his postman is surly ( might not be the full story ) but if his postie slapped on a McSmile every time he left the office his tips might go up ( I find it easy to smile when I go out on delivery - no screws hypocritically telling me to get on and do some work ).

[jafferpants]

The working class - especially those of the retired generation are the ones that I find tend to tip more often than not - might only be 50p more or less, but it's what they can afford....and that is what touches me.

I will come clean and admit I done well this year - comes from being in a reasonable area of Sevenoaks - but many commented on me being a good postman, giving a good service ( any lineos reading this look in the dictionary, especially under the phrase "Public Service" ) and always smiling and being happy, come rain or shine....but it wouldn't bother me if I got £1 or £10....if that's what they can afford, I appreciate it all very highly.

As yer man said, his postman is surly ( might not be the full story ) but if his postie slapped on a McSmile every time he left the office his tips might go up ( I find it easy to smile when I go out on delivery - no screws hypocritically telling me to get on and do some work ).

Iv'e said many times how we'd all settle for 50 p off every house on your walk. In most cases it would add up to a few hundred squid.