Here’s a Sincere Tip.
A couple of years ago this December, we had some rooms painted in our home.
Mike, the painter would arrive bright and early because he would come directly from delivering the Buffalo News newspaper. I liked that.
He was dependable, early to start, and would leave early. Soon our morning coffee conversation took me inside the world of newspaper delivery persons.
Mike isn’t your stereotypical paper boy. At 50 plus years young, he very much depends on his newspaper delivery position to provide for his family.
He wakes up at 2:30 a.m. in all kinds of weather and needs to make sure his car is ready to handle deliveries.
Mike showed me the holiday cards he purchased at Dollar Tree and asked me if I liked them. Sure, who doesn’t like a cardinal in snow? He said a hand-written card usually resulted in more tips.
He told me about other delivery workers who quit right after the holidays because it’s too hard to go through another year waiting for the big climax – the holiday tips.
Every day during that December he would excitedly tell me when he received a tip and notes saying thank you for the professional service. He cared about his work and if the paper was late, it was a delay from the press, not him.
I witnessed what it was like when he did not receive any tips or notes. His psyche was down. He works hard all year and just like all of us – wants to be acknowledged and thanked. I began to realize how this was more than a tip.
I hadn’t been very conscious of the impact of this little gesture. It’s a validation that what you are doing is valued and we appreciate you for providing a great service.
I couldn’t even remember year-to-year if I tipped or I forgot. Isn’t that human nature getting lost in the hustle bustle and not placing any importance on something little that you really should? Something right in front of us.
We get caught up in the craziness of the holidays and buying gifts for our family, our friends at work, teachers, our other service providers. It’s time to prioritize the newspaper carrier.
If you subscribe to the Buffalo News, you have a great opportunity to lift someone up with a card and some cash. The weather in Buffalo is so extreme. I know my dogs bark. I know my steps aren’t always shoveled. I know my news carrier carefully tucks our paper in our basket. He climbs up our steps each morning, seven days a week without the luxury of sleeping in even one day.
After our rooms were painted and the holidays were over, I asked Mike his final tally from his tipping. He said 60% of his customers gave him a tip meaning 40% did not. The amount ranged from $5 to $100. Big tips are welcome, but honestly a note just saying Thank You is worth a million.
Because of Mike – I wrote this story. Also, Because of Mike, I made it a point to get to know the newspaper delivery person for many of us.
Give to those who cannot repay you. “Blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.”
Sincerely, Trish
Tags : Holidays, News Carriers, Tips
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