Christmas is upon us and it's the season of goodwill - but how much, if anything, do you plan to tip those workers who do a thankless job day in, day out throughout the year?
For instance, our reliable postal workers and binmen are out in all weather, come rain or shine, week in, week out.
And with this thankless task in mind, we want to know, how much if at all, do you tip your postie and binman.
It has been a long-held tradition across the UK to tip tradesman just before Christmas, be it the paperboy, window cleaner or milkman - but it is a tradition which seems to be fading, report Kent Live.
Tipping facts
A survey by This is Money show just over a fifth of people tip their hairdresser at Christmas.
The research found it is the postman who is the next most likely to receive a festive tip (22 per cent), followed followed by binmen (15 per cent) and window cleaners (12 per cent).
Milkmen are at the bottom of the list (11 per cent), but this may reflect the fact many people now but their milk from the supermarket.
54.8 per cent of those aged 55 and above saying they tip compared to the younger generation where 45.3 per cent of 18-24 year olds tip.
The official etiquette on tipping
There is clear guidance on Christmas tipping, according to Debretts, a self-proclaimed authority on etiquette.
It suggests the following:
- Nannies/au pairs – Equivalent of a week’s wages - and a present, perhaps saying it’s from the children
- Cleaners – At least a week’s extra wages
- Milkman – A fiver wrapped up in a note saying ‘thanks and happy Christmas’
- Postman – ‘Some feel obliged to reward a regular postie'. £5 would be generous
- Dustmen – Some councils have banned it, but many still stuff a fiver in their binmen's hand so they can buy themselves a pint.
