Seasonal gratuities

[Scottman]

When I were a lad (a LONG time ago - thank you) my parents made a point of giving a Christmas tip to each of those that supplied a service to the home - the bread man, the milkman, the paper boy, the postman, the window cleaner, the refuse collectors. It was a common practice in the street and, I think, in society at large.

I'd be interested to know what people see as fair custom and practice in 2014. We're just down to the last three of the above, but I wonder if the custom has disappeared along with much other appreciation of public service?

[Mel]

You are right but we stopped tipping the dustmen when they introduced the black bins. We still have milk delivered so we tip him. We usually tip the postman as he was very good but he's now moved on and we seem to have a different one each week so whether we tip this year remains to be seen. And that's it!

[mb1]

I do usually leave something for the bin men, but not the postman anymore as it is a different one every week. We don't have any of the other services.

[Andy B]

Its quite different here in NZ as in general day to day life "Tipping" is not done but that said its quite normal for a tradesman to be given a gratuity for good service and it is not necessarily money but a gift of homemade produce such as jam or honey and this time of year it could be fruit off your trees. Was tipping in the past from the "well to do" to the lower class doing a meanial job?