The first issue I had this morning was with our bathroom scale. The weight indicator was too high.
The second issue I had this morning was with this lap top. The download speed was too low.
The scale I can do something about, the computer....can you see me shrug my shoulders? I know I'm in trouble when I can't decipher the HELP page instructions. Over the years the one thing I've learned, shut it down and start again. Sometimes it actually works. If only everything was that easy.
As Christmas is less then a week away: A holiday tip guide, who and how much, as per Emily Post.
1. Mail Carrier: According to a U.S. Postal Service spokesperson, your mail person can accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas. However, cash and cash equivalents like checks, money orders, cashiers checks, travelers checks, or gift cards must never be accepted in any amount. I think a carrier would enjoy a nice hot drink from Starbucks, but you can't give a gift card? What the Hell are you going to give the mail person, a tie? May I suggest a couple pair of nice thick socks? Since I couldn't find any information on Hanukkah, one gift or seven, it's up to you.
2. Hairdresser/barber/manicurist: The common advice is to give a tip equal to one service. So, if a haircut is $15, leave $15 extra. Where can you get a haircut for fifteen bucks? If you get a cut, color, and style, be sure to bring the credit card. If you get pedicures give a little extra. How would you like touching feet all day?
3. Teacher/day care staff: "The best thing is a small gift presented by the child." The guideline suggests something between $20 and $30 and adds, "it doesn't have to be extravagant." I wonder what constitutes extravagant? If you are going to have the kid give it , think cookies. Save yourself a few bucks.
4. Trash collector: Emily says $20, and don't tape it under the lid of the can. Get a nice thank you card and put the money it that. I don't know if it's twenty per can? We have garbage, green waste, and recycle cans that are picked up by two different trucks. No matter how you figure it, twenty dollars is thirty eight cents a week, why bother?
5. Personal Trainer: You should check to see if the trainer is allowed to accept cash. If so, the rule of thumb is, give the cost of one session. If not, a nice gift of Kashi Heath Food, a granola product, or one of the many variations of snack bars make wonderful gifts. Also consider a nice box of doughnuts or candy. Ya right, like they don't cheat. Come to think of it, why do you even have a personal trainer? You need motivation? Stay home and think about the money you're saving. You won't have fees and you won't need to think about one more holiday gift.
6. The Dog Walker: The dog walker? Who the Hell are these things written for? According to Emily Post your dog's buddy should get the equivalent of one weeks pay. Most people give around $20. Give more if you have a dog that poops a lot. Even more if you have a big dog that poops a lot. Make this easy, get outside and walk your own dog. You got rid of the trainer you can get rid of the dog walker.
7. The Baby Sitter: OK, maybe you shouldn't fire the personal trainer. You have a kid? You need another reason to get out of the house. Tip the sitter in accordance with your child's temperament. The brattier the child the bigger the tip.
8. Building Staff/Superintendent/Doorman: I live in a house so I don't give a hoot. But since I am trying to be informative, if you live in a building that has such people, a quarter of your neighbors don't give anything, blend in.
9. Newspaper Carriers: Emily Post Institute says to give $20 to $30 or a small gift, most folks tip $15. This was first posted in a newspaper. If most tip $15, why bother? No one is reading it anyway.
10. House Cleaners: Once again the rule of thumb (is there ever a rule of finger? or hand?) is the cost of one service. Here again, if you cleaned your house and walked the dog, you could do without the trainer.
There you have it, ten tipping tips. There are many more according to Mrs. Post. Yard workers, and pool men. Nanny's or Au pair's and other live-in help. Private nurses, massage therapists, pet groomers, and garage attendants.
A guy could go broke taking care of these people for the holiday. Then again, if you have all of them you probably can afford the two or three hundred dollars. As for me, I better go out and scrape the tape off the bottom of the garbage can lid.
Happy Holiday Tipping
No comments:
Post a Comment