Holiday Tipping

It's the holiday season...and somewhere along the way someone came up with the bright idea of tipping those who provide us a service. I'm not talking about the person that takes your order at the diner...these are the folks that deliver the oil, or the mail, or maybe the guy that hauls away your trash every Tuesday.

Hey those are tough jobs...and my hat is off to anyone that goes out and works hard each day. But who came up with the list of occupations that get tipped and those that don't?

My thought is this...we're in the worst economic situation the nation has seen in a very long time. It's going to be hard for some people to buy presents for their kids this Christmas...let alone buying a little something for the guy that cuts my hair.

On the other hand, the charitable side of me says if I can help someone that may need it...then maybe I'm paying it forward and the good karma will come back to me later. it's a tough decision.

I liked one option a guy suggested this morning when we talked about this on the show...make homemade stuff for those special people that really go out of their way for you. Think about it...a loaf of homemade bread, or a jar of strawberry jam, a really good apple pie. I think that sounds good...or else I'm hungry!

Anyway, here's the Holiday tipping guide from the Emily Post Institute:

• Live-in nanny, one week's pay and a gift from your child.

• Regular babysitter, one evening's pay and a small gift from your child.

• Day care provider, a gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member and a small gift from your child or children.

• Live-in help (nanny, cook, butler, housekeeper), one week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.

• Private nurse, a thoughtful gift from you.

• Housekeeper/cleaner up to the amount of one week's pay and/or a small gift.

• Nursing home employees, a gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).

• Barber, cost of one haircut or a gift.

• Beauty salon staff, give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you.

• Personal trainer, up to the cost of one session or a gift.

• Massage therapist, up to the cost of one session or a gift.

• Pet groomer, up to the cost of one session or a gift.

• Dog walker, up to one week's pay or a gift.

• Personal caregiver, between one week's to one month's salary or a gift.

• Pool cleaner, the cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.

• Garage attendants, $10-$30 or a small gift

• Newspaper delivery person, $10-30 or a small gift

• Mail carrier, small gift only

• Superintendent, $20-80 or a gift

• Doorman, $15-$80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.

• Elevator operator, $15-$40 each

• Handyman, $15 to $40

• Yard/Garden worker, $20-$50 each or a gift

• Teachers, a gift (not cash)

OK...so if that wasn't enough to empty your checking account...add these professions into the mix!

• Wait service at a sit down restaurant 15-20% pretax

• Wait service (buffet) 10%

• Host, no obligation, $10-$20 on occasion, if you are a regular patron

• Takeout, no obligation, 0-10% if the person went above normal service

• Bartender, $1 per drink or 15-20% of tab

• Tipping jars, no obligation but tip occasionally if you are a regular or if the person went above normal service

• Restroom attendant, 50 cents-$3, depending on service

• Valet, $2-$5

• Skycap, $2 first bag, $1 per additional bag

• Housekeeper, $2-$5 per day, left daily

• Concierge, $5 for tickets or reservations, $10 if hard to get; no need to tip for answering questions

• Taxi driver, 15% plus an extra $1-$2 if helped with bags

• Hairdresser, 15-20%, ask to be split among those who served you

• Manicurist, 15-20%

• Facial, waxing, massage, 15-20%

Now I don't know about you...but who has a live-in nanny, a pool cleaner, or a dog walker? If you can afford all that stuff then you should be tipping...and if you do then add morning radio host to the list of people that deserve a generous year end reward!

I just hope my wife doesn't see this list because if she does she'll argue that she fills almost all of these jobs at our house and then she'll demand a REALLY BIG present as her tip. If that's the case I may have to get a second job...and I'll be sure to take one where you're guaranteed a tip!