Ahhhh yes, it's that time of year again. We're in the home stretch of the holiday season and soon a calm, quiet, cold and very boring January will be upon us, with many of us snowed in spending too much time on FaceBook or posting too many blog updates for anyone to keep track of.
Daisy and I had a talk this morning, and she tells me that I really DO need to mention a little something on here about holiday tipping. She'd really like a new orthopedic dog bed with arms and she knows the cats are vying for a super-duper, multi-tiered new cat condo, so she's concerned about "Santa's" funding this year. She knows there were a lot of unexpected car repairs and that little matter of her Demodectic Mange which racked up some unplanned vet bills this holiday season.
Daisy asked me if I tip people. I said, 'Yes, sure I do, I was a waitress for almost 20 years, I know how much most people in any personal service industry rely on tips to help boost their income. I tip the mailman, the Super in my apt. building, anyone who pumps gas for me on a brutally cold winter day with sleet and freezing rain when I'm loathe to get out of my car and do it myself, and most DEFINITELY the waiters and waitresses who serve me when I go out to eat. And because of her past experience, Mommy here is a very generous tipper to the best of her financial ability." Daisy was glad to hear that. Then she asked me if my dog-walking clients tip ME. She was glad to hear that yes, as a rule at this time of year, most of them are very generous. And so she took a nap dreaming of her new orthopedic dog bed with arms.
I'm not too concerned about my own personal tips, I know the economy isn't so great (massive understatement - D'Oh!) and people generally do the best they can. But in case you're wondering, here a few thoughts to mull over:
How often does your dog walker or pet sitter help you out? Do they come to your home daily to take care of your pets, or do you only use their services once or twice a year? If your DWPS is a regular daily, weekly or even monthly entity in your home, you should definitely consider tipping them. I watched a variety of morning news programs this week with the annual piece about the "confusion" of tipping (there was a story on NPR about it too). I cringed as they all rolled out their lists of "who to tip" afraid that they would leave 'Dog Walkers' off the list...but no! THIS year they ALL included Dog Walkers! Hooray! The standard rule of thumb if the DWPS is a regular weekly service provider in your home is to gift them with one full week's standard pay. So, if you pay them $100.00 a week, that's the appropriate amount to leave them as a tip.
Now, some folks may balk at this, but truly, think about it. If you've got a good, reliable, honest trustworthy person with keys to your home coming over EVERY day, rain or shine, no matter what the temps, and making sure your Four Legged Babies are safe and cared for and loved, that's one heap of peace of mind you're getting from them. How many people can you say you have that level of trust for? I dare say if you really sit down and think about how many times over the last year they've helped you out, and done all nature of "above & beyond" kind of stuff, you might get to thinking they even deserve just a little more. That is, of course, if you have an extraordinary dog walker.
If you dog walker comes less often, mull over what you think they deserve. I had a client once lament to me her precarious financial situation. I'd been taking care of her dog for quite some time, although not on a daily basis, it was on a weekly basis, week in and week out. I'd offered her unwavering flexibility when she needed to make last-minute schedule changes, and even brought the dog to my own home when she was away for a few nights (something my Landlord would DEFNITELY prefer I not do - he's already allowing me to have two cats and a dog of my own). When I received a holiday card with $50.00 in it, I was grateful and delighted, because I knew she, like myself, was struggling with bills. However, it wasn't lost on me as I looked around her home that she had a FABULOUS 6' tall Christmas tree, decorated to the nines, that there was an ENORMOUS Pointsettia plant in her living room, and that I had just brought in a large package that she'd mail-ordered from Neiman-Marcus. The Pointsettia alone probably cost around $50.00, if not more, and the tree was probably closer to $100.00 - very likely much more (it was a REALLY nice tree!). While clients' personal spending habits are none of my business (or that of ANY dog walker), it *did* occur to me that she'd invested more cash in her Christmas decorations than she felt she could offer someone who's provided an invaluable service to her for several years now. And I have to admit, while I love every $50.00 bill I personally meet, there was a little bit of a sting there too.
Many clients opt to forgo cash and give gifts...and this kind of falls into the realm of dog walkers, like so many other people, receiving "stuff they don't really need". Yes, it's the thought that counts, but unless you know your DWPS *really* well, trying to get something that fits their personal tastes and/or that they really *need* can be a tricky proposition. I inevitably find myself with a lot of "decorative stuff" in my apt. that is very sweet, but pretty useless and that I really have no need or room for. Then I just have to figure out where to put it or how to get rid of it. This is where a Gift Card is a great idea.
If you are going to be away for the holiday and the DWPS will be caring for your pets, chances are you are already paying a holiday fee (if you're not, you should be, so if your DWPS isn't charging you extra like most others would, take that into consideration and by all means leave them extra money). In that case, perhaps a cash tip makes you feel uncomfortable, but there should be SOME extra recognition that while you're off enjoying your holiday with the ultimate peace of mind that all is well back home, your DWPS does NOT have the holiday off and is working so that you can enjoy YOURS. I'm usually pretty happy with a nice bottle of wine in cases like that.
Then again, I have people I've helped for years, who clearly think I'm an extraordinary Dog Walker, and they have never tipped me a penny. I shrug it off and don't hold it against them, and their dogs get the same great care and attention no matter what. They put money in my pocket on a weekly basis all year, if they don't know enough to tip or don't feel it's warranted, necessary or appropriate, that's okay. It sure would help with MY end-of-year tipping and holiday expenses, but it's not all that important in the end-game. I DO know of dog walkers who black-list "ungenerous" clients and have very strong negative feelings about clients who don't tip, so you might want to keep that in mind.
Summary:
*Yes, your DWPS is DEFINITELY one of the people on the annual end-of-year "who to tip" list;
*Cash is the best for of tipping or "gifting" for your DWPS;
*When deciding how much to tip, don't go overboard and send yourself to the poorhouse, but DO spend some time thinking about how they've helped you out throughout the year, maybe consider what type of bonus YOU get at work (if you even get one these days) and go with your gut based on what YOU feel their assistance has been worth to you. Any amount should be greatly appreciated.
*For those folks who would prefer not to tip cash, one of my favorite things to get is a really awesome photo of the dogs (or cats) in a nice frame - I have them all over my home and I cherish them. Gloves, scarves, hand-warmers, Starbucks gift cards and warm socks are always welcome. If you don't see your dog walker or pet sitter on a regular basis, a simple holiday card is always nice to receive. And if you're too stressed out even for that...don't sweat it, just have a Happy Holiday! Daisy's getting her orthopedic dog bed anyway....
No comments:
Post a Comment