A reader writes the following:
Chanukah is here did you tip your garbage man, mail person, bus driver or other service provider?
Okay so we do not give gifts on the chaggos, but don’t the people who service us all year deserve something every once in a while?
They probably almost expect it, and receive something in the other neighborhoods that they service around the chaggos, so why shouldn’t we give them something now?
And yes, the large families Ke”H and ken Yirbu do cause the garbage men and mail people extra work!
A Freilichen Chanukah.
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20 Responses
not sure why they deserve more than their excellent salary.
but if you wish to show your karas ha tov, or if you wish to encourage continued good service
WHY CHANUKKAH TIME?
Agree. BTW, the issur of “Lo Sechanem” does not apply here.
i think a short note, showing appreciation is nice enough- escpecially for your garbage collector, if you actually KNOW who your garbage collector is!
Bus drivers i think do deserve a tip- since they service us on a more personal level.
and to WHY CHANUKA TIME- c’mon it’s just a thing, that this is the time of year to tip the teachers, busdrivers… and generally show appreciation- why not? its basically chock in middle of the year…
As i matter of fact,i think chanukah IS THE PERFECT most OPPORTUNE TIME. When else? On erev pesach?
Chanukah so that there is no hard feelings when you don’t tip at a later time and it becomes a Chanukah gift without going into all the shailos of tipping at other times.
local jewish org here does “goodies for good guys,” which on “civil” holidays delivers dinner and snacks to police stations and firehouses to to those who are working on their holiday – the thought is, we’re not celebrating a holiday with you, we’re just recognize that while your colleagues are enjoying your holiday with their family, you’re here to ensure that we are protected – so here is a warm dinner and dessert to thank you for taking care of us when you would probably rather be home with your wife and kids
it’s a nice gesture, it’s appreciated, and no, we don’t bring them chulent or kishke –
teachers assistants wouldnt mind seeing some ‘hakaros hatov’ too, after all we do more work than the teacher.
why the end of the year? because thats the expected time.
Why give? again its expected.
Everyone deserves Hakoras Hatov just for being there when needed.Everyone wants and deserves respect and recognition all year round.
IN MY OPINION TIPPING IS A WAY OF REMINDING OURSELVES THAT WE AREN’T OWED ANYTHING AND WE HAVE TO EXPRESS PROPER HAKARAS HATOV. THAT BEING SAID 1)IF TIPPING IS MANDATORY IT IS MEANINGLESS IN TERMS OF HAKARAS HATOV AND PROBABLY ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING.2)THERE IS A LIMIT. SOMEONE WHO GOES OUT OF THERE WAY FOR YOU YOU TIP. BUT SOMEONE WHO IS ALREADY OVERCHARGING FOR A SERVICE (AND OWNS THE COMPANY) IN MY OPINION DOESN’T NEED A TIP TOO.
Generally Federal, State, and local public employees including (but not limited to) mail carriers, sanitation employees, etc. are prohibited by law from accepting any gifts — monetary or otherwise.
Private bus drivers, etc. are not affected by this.
accountant101, as an assistant teacher, as well, I can relate to the fact that sometimes we are under-appreciated. While teachers’ assistants generally do not work out of school hours, we generally do work very hard when we are there. For any of you that have children in the younger grades, realize that your child’s assistant does works very hard, not only for the teacher herself, but for the students. Assistants are almost like the “big sisters” of their students. They comfort a child when she is crying, can’t figure out her math example, works one on with the students, interacts with them during recess, and gives them the personal touch that sometimes the main teacher can not provide during class time.
accountant101, I would not say that “we do more work than the teacher,” but I am sure you work very hard. So, kol hakavod to all your efforts; I am sure you are having a great impact on your students. Hashem sees every smile you give your studnets and the patience you retain when dealing with them.
Keep up your great work!
P.S.: My school PTA collects chanukah gelt from the students for the teachers and I have received a gift as well. Additionally, One mother even sent me and the other teachers a gift from Oh Nuts.
A Freilichin Chanukah!
I think we should stop the practice of giving rebbeim chanuks money. It makes them seem as if they are Shnorrors while in essence they should be considered our most respected “profesionals”. by every parent giving ten dollars or so really makes them feel foolish! What should be done i don’t know but certainly not this way.
#1, Fievel, there is Yiddishe concept called Hakaras Hatov. You could also ask, why say thank you to the mailman if he is just doing his job? It is his job and he is getting paid but I’m sure you will agree that it is the right think to do. I do agree with you about “why Chanuka time”? Chanuka has become a time for giving presents due to the Christian Holiday that comes around this time of year. I believe that it is far from the Torah way, to give presents Chanuka time or even make it a time for giving presents. I think that it is pretty obvious, as I stated above, why presents are given this time of year. Not only does it have nothing to do with Yiddeshkeit but in my humble opinion is Chukas Hagoyim.
Why should someone who is doing their job get a tip? The tipping business is the dumbest thing.
Tips should be left for people who go above and beyond their duty and people who make very little at their job- not people who are getting paid great money for doing what they are supposed to be doing!
I guarantee you that if you treat these workers or people in general with respect and not treat them like garbage it will mean more to them than money and you will also make a bigger kiddush hashem.
When was the last time you said the two hardest words in society to people who pick up your garbage or deliver your mail?
(THANK YOU.)
BYgirl, you are right that giving presents this time of year is chukas hagoyim, but giving chanukah gelt is in fact a Jewish concept.
I actually was once met sanitation worker whose route was Boro Park. I asked him how he did on the holidays there and he said very well. He also liked the fact that since large frum families generated so much trash he filled his truck faster then in other nieghborhoods
#12 Hey fester
Thinkabout what you are saying “rabeim are our most respected profesionals” you think giving 10 dollars makes them shnorreers . Wake up and smell
the coffee they are so underpaid to begin with , you dont know what can be done ! Try this on for size get out there and raise money and give your childs rebbe a huge chunk .Its unfortunate that they have to depend on the small matanos given to them chanakah and purim.
I always try to give something extra to the teachers of my children and have never heard from any of them that they feel like “shnorers” at all….I got the feeling that they liked being appreciated (like the rest of the human race) and I do appreciate their efforts. I’m sure they can use the bonus $$$, even if it’s a small amount and they really deserve much more.
That being said….can anyone post what is an average normal amount to give to your bus driver, post man, etc…
Thanks.
#18:
We (speaking from a Yeshivish block in Flatbush) give $5 per child to every bus driver who drives one way (to or from).
I think I saw the post man twice in the past five years, and he changed his face the second time. Anyway, he’s a Federal employee.
People should not expect or demand these extra gifts and tips in order to do their jobs. They know what the salary is and what the job requirements are when they apply.However,it IS nice to make everyone you know and deal with feel appreciated by giving a little something special every once in awhile,not only on Chanuko. A little boost to someone’s self-esteem is always a good thing,and chessed.