Do you tip the delivery man ....

[smallblueplanet]

It never even crossed my mind that a supermarket delivery driver might be tipped. But then I am vehemently anti-tipping. People should be paid a proper wage for their job and if their job is a service why should they expect more than a 'thank you' for doing their job?

[zazen999]

My OH had to take on a job delivering shopping. What meant more than a tip was people helping to carry in the shopping instead of just opening the door and watching him do it ....

I agree; I have lots of trouble when at supermarkets people who are more than capable of getting the shopping into the baskets and onto the tills suddenly being incapable of packing their own bags and standing there whilst operators have to lean across and lift heavy items into bags with no help whatsoever.

Don't get me started!!!!

[piskieinboots]

..But then I am vehemently anti-tipping....

me too - it is confusing, embarrasing and shouldn't be necessary

[Rhona]

I never tip the delivery chap, but the regular ones (yep, we get quite a lot delivered, but with two toddlers, it's LOADS easier) get a nice bottle of something/chocolates at Christmas.

I always unload the shopping myself. I usually end up restacking the empty crates for them as well. And I never let anyone pack my shopping at the supermarket - I'm too fussy about how I like it doing!

[Glutton4...]

... We have a great postie, he has the brains to leave our parcels hidden round the back, he signs for stuff if we're out ... I give him a bottle of wine at Crimble

Our regular one does that too - he is a star! Unfortunately, we no longer get him all the time. The young lad cba to drive down the little lanes, so he leaves the post in the Van for when the conscientious guy is on, so he's usually late as he has twice as much to do.

... I am vehemently anti-tipping. People should be paid a proper wage for their job ...

me too - it is confusing, embarrasing and shouldn't be necessary

I quite agree.

[Caro]

At least tipping isn't quite as ingrained into the culture here as in the States.

The benefit in the States is that you genuinely do get very good service, the standard is much higher than here. The downside is that's because the staff there rely on the tips to make up their measly wages.

I'm happy to tip in this country, but do wish it were recognised as being more for excellent service, not just a standard thing that we'll all pay in a restaurant, unless the service was actually abysmal.

As for postie and milkman etc, I'm sure they appreciate the Christmas bottle of wine etc. I had a dilemma for the binmen including recycling bins - there are loads of them; I ended up leaving out cans of Stella, as I thought at least there'd be enough to go round. I think they were fairly happy with that

[Two_Sheds]

I'm happy to tip in this country, but do wish it were recognised as being more for excellent service

I usually tip my hairdresser, but that's because I only pay a tenner, and she has to give half that to the salon owner.

[Florence Fennel]

Himself always takes delivery of the shopping as I'm at work. He tips the driver if they are friendly and helpful and they rarely refuse. I wouldn't tip - I've paid for the delivery.

[Brengirl]

I do tip when the service goes just beyond the necessary. In my opinion there can be no set rate for any job. It depends entirely on how the job is done. If a delivery man goes beyond the call of duty and is pleasant and helpful I will thank him and 'buy him a cup of coffee'.

[Rocketron]

If my maid got a ride off the butler during working hours, I'd sack the pair of them !

[Hilary B]

At least tipping isn't quite as ingrained into the culture here as in the States.

The benefit in the States is that you genuinely do get very good service, the standard is much higher than here. The downside is that's because the staff there rely on the tips to make up their measly wages.

I'm happy to tip in this country, but do wish it were recognised as being more for excellent service, not just a standard thing that we'll all pay in a restaurant, unless the service was actually abysmal.

As for postie and milkman etc, I'm sure they appreciate the Christmas bottle of wine etc. I had a dilemma for the binmen including recycling bins - there are loads of them; I ended up leaving out cans of Stella, as I thought at least there'd be enough to go round. I think they were fairly happy with that

As far a I am concerned, the point to a tip is that it is for 'beyond expectations' service. I've had some strong exchanges of opinion about that with an American acquaintance!