It's possible to deduce conclusions by observing facts. For example, you can tell which of my neighbors tipped the garbage men for Christmas and which did not.
After the holidays I noticed something: at some homes (like ours) garbage men empty our cans and carefully return them to the driveway with lids neatly on top. At other homes cans are tossed pell-mell down the street with lids strewn in every direction.
Garbage men may not be educated but they're not dumb. And they know how to communicate.
I certainly wish there was a way for me to do so for my garbage collectors. They have to deal with my extremely messy apartment dwelling neighbors. Instead of driving to the two dumpsters a little farther away, people back their cars down to the dumpster near us which only has a single unit.
ReplyDeleteThey come in the early hours of the morning. I have made friendly with the mail-people though and offer water or drinks in summer as often as I see them.
Common experiences. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteOur trucks are automated so a big mechanical arm picks up the herbykerby and dumps it in. They don't even get out of the truck. I wonder how you go about tipping someone in those circumstances?
ReplyDeleteProbably not. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteThere was a time that the garbage men here called at one's house to wish one a Happy New Year, which was their roundabout way to ask for a tip. We always tipped them, I hasten to add. They don't seem to do that anymore nowadays, possibly because most people aren't at home anyway ... xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad. I like communal connection, whether for tips or just holiday greeting. Modern life is becoming too impersonal and that's bad for everyone.
DeleteOh, that's interesting! We tip our mail carrier but not garbage collectors because we take out our own trash (city living). But once we move to the suburbs we'll know to do this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYup. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI've never seen our recycling truck people - they come during the day when I'm at work. I greet and chat with everyone I interact with, from grocery clerks to bus drivers (who always get a thank you when I step off: https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/uncommon-courtesy-viral-video-shows-victoria-transit-riders-thanking-bus-drivers-1.5985097). We tip our cleaners every single time, cash. Any service profession probably doesn't make enough money, or get enough acknowledgment or thanks, so even just a simple thank you and a smile can make someone's day.
ReplyDeleteYes, and any sign of appreciation is appreciated.
DeleteI've never done this. Keeping it real...we pay some of the highest taxes in the world for our limited city services. The waste collectors are unionized with the city and make a good wage. They are in very large trucks and use a mechanical arm to lift and deposit the waste. They never leave their trucks. I don't feel a tip is warranted and honestly am starting to feel attacked by the number of people that expect tips for simply doing their job. Every time we buy a coffee at the counter people expect a tip. At the grocery store they expect a donation. At the pet store they expect a donation. Every single time I buy something they expect something extra. I'm over it. Unless they are providing a service and doing some above and beyond I'm no longer being shamed into a tip for people simply doing their job.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Understandable. Your country's treatment of workers differs from mine. Garbage men here use their arms to lift heavy, smelly containers, run alongside the truck for miles and get paid peanuts. I doubt they get health insurance. They're always recent immigrants with hard-to-spell names.
DeleteOn the second topic you raise I couldn't agree more. Asking for tips at counters is absurd. Requesting them on pay-pads is offensive. I have no trouble rejecting that crap.
That is interesting to note. I am rarely around when the bin guys come. In the lock down years, I ran outside and gave one of them a £20 and said thank you but I just haven't remembered the subsequent years.
ReplyDeleteP. S. I do say thank you to everyone who serves me.
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