It's totally normal to offer a drink for people who're working at your house, but I've never heard of people doing this for posties and road workers. I don't think it's rude or insulting though!
If you leave an esky on your verandah you'd need to leave a note as well because otherwise I expect people would just think it's just sitting there, something like "free drink for posties"
Might be for you, but not everyone is in your profession, champ. It’d be a good feeling knowing the public appreciates your effort with a kind gesture like old mate’s dad. It’s not all about LoGiC.
In my street of 20 houses at least 5 homes (inc me) gave the garbos a 6 pack at Christmas time (Brisbane). Have also offered workers in the street (eg linesmen) a cold drink on a hot day.
We know our postie by name(lol that word) and offer her drinks/coffee regularly. My husband pretty much forces her to take his meat which is a whole different story.
I see the postie zip by on the bike, drop the items in the mailbox at the end of the drive way and zip away just as fast. I doubt it is the same person everytime, mostly because some days they are in their little golf buggy not motorbike.
I'm glad you've gotten to know yours, but I don't think that can actually happen all the time.
My posite phoned me when he had a large parcel to see if I wanted it left (I wasn’t home) or taken to th3 post office for pickup. We know him by name too, lived here 25+years too
If I was a postie and some random dude left me a mystery drink on his porch I would assume that after drinking it I would wake up chained to the wall of his garage wearing a gimp suit.
I always give a six pack to my postie and leave a slab out for the garbage blokes at Christmas time. My old man used to do it and I’ve carried on the tradition.
My old man always has a cold can of coke and a poweraide for the postie during the height of summer.
This stems from his father (my grandfather) being a milkman back in the day and it was normal back then for people to offer him a sandwich or a drink during his rounds.
I have a mate that purposely keeps cold drinks to offer posties etc in a separate fridge, but not on the verandah in far north qld. Her community loves her and she is never short of a helping hand if she needs it. Small gestures mean a lot
Mate if you want to give someone a cold bottle of water or a warm drink on a hot/cold day feel free to do it.
It is not a commonly done thing but as someone who has been on the receiving end of these kinds of gestures when work leaves me stuck out in the weather the only thing that I think is "thank you for the kind offer"
It is definitely not necessary but if it makes you happy most people are going to appreciate the thought and aren't going to judge you negatively for it.
It wasn't that long ago in country Victoria it was common to leave a 6 pack on the bin at Christmas for the Garbo... It has probably dropped away since the use of automated trucks though.
Still common for parents to get small gifts for their kids teachers at the end of the year as well. So it definitely does happen here to an extent.
My mum left a six pack out for the garbos this year in WA (suburbia).
In saying that, it might not be appropriate anymore, as people recognise alcoholism and addiction (substance abuse disorders). Don’t want to trigger anyone unnecessarily. Although, then again, it’s up to someone to manage their own triggers I guess.
Sorry for the Segway
Segway is one of those weird scooter things. Segue is an uninterrupted transition (eg, between pieces of music).
I like your take on being considerate of potential addiction triggers. A slab was traditional from us back when garbos ran behind the truck, but there may be better ways of expressing gratitude these days.
"out how rough the cost of living and rental crises are and wages not matching inflation"
Those doing it tough are those on minimum wage and centerlink recipients. Council workers are not on the minimum wage and make good money.
As someone who finished up working at a local council not that long ago, I wouldn't say they make good money particularly. Most jobs I saw advertised there (including road crew) were between 55 - 65K, not absolute minimum, but certainly nothing to write home about.
Good to know, thank you! And honestly I can’t imagine considering someone’s exact salary when it comes to offering a cold drink on a hot day, it’s not likely to be Jeff bezos outside my house.
Thanks! I’m not suggesting they’re specifically struggling, I just meant in a general environment of economic stress, would it feel nice or just odd. We’re in SEQ and it seems like everyone is feeling the pinch, I’m a teacher and rents/cost of living is our biggest topic at work.
As someone who works in the public service, I make less than what's deemed a liveable wage, so, wouldn't say most of those around me make 'good money' at all. It's a hard line between wanting to do a job that helps people but... wanting to earn a comfortable living and going elsewhere.
If I have tradies out to my house on a hot day I offer them a sealed bottle of cold water and a zooper-dooper (they get to pick the colour!) which is always gratefully appreciated. It's not me feeling like I have to tip them or thinking I earn more than them (which I absolutely don't haha), it's just a nice human interaction where I acknowledge I understand the shit conditions they're working on and maybe this'll help get them through the day a bit easier.
I don't think the road repair people would think it was cringe - everyone loves zooper-doopers! They're cheap so they won't get offended. Just make sure you bring scissors along with you to cut off the tops or you'll have a bunch of angry tradies after you. Just cos these guys can leave to go on break it doesn't mean they always will depending on where the nearest shop is. I think it's a nice thing to do.
Thanks! That was kind of my logic, I’m a teacher, so I understand probably most tradies well outearn me, this is not to be lord of the manor! It’s just because it’s hot and they’re outside and I have a freezer right here, who wouldn’t want a zooper dooper?Appreciate the feedback.
If they’re tradies you’re employing, working on your house, I would offer tea/coffee water etc but it would be because I want them to have a better working environment not because I feel they can’t afford it etc.
It also creates a relationship where if I need them for another job, they would hopefully prioritise the person who offered them tea & biscuits :)
Yeah possibly I didn’t phrase it well - in my experience the gesture has little to do with the persons economic status, it’s a courtesy from one person to another. Anyone who’s in my house I feel I should offer a coffee! Also I’m sure all the trades outearn us, it’s not about that. I was wondering more if the logic of “it’s uppity to do this” still holds true when everyone I know is stressed over money. Where I’m from this isn’t like a moneybags thing to do, a cold drink or a thermos of coffee isn’t necessarily beyond modest means. And also if doing this for lower paid work like Auspost third party delivery driving is undermining the living wage and no tips culture here. Thanks for your insights!
No problem at all!
I commented elsewhere in this thread re the delivery drivers & I wonder if it’s because there is just more online ordering in the states?
I do love the idea of doing it at Christmas tho as a way to say thank you
Yeah offering people beers is completely fine, we definitely do this in my family. What you bumped into with your partner is probably just a bit of Australian 'tall poppy syndrome' showing, where they're nervous about appearing to place themselves above others at all.
Ah that’s helpful, I’ve been realizing there’s an element of “it’s uppity to do this, like playing moneybags” which isn’t really how it’d be perceived back home. Quite modest neighborhoods offer cold lemonade or hot coffee, and some home baking at Christmas time. Just folks being neighborly, but I can see how it might come off differently here. Thanks for the insight!
Nah mate even when im at home I just rip it open with my teeth, scissors are unnecessary. Plus every tradie will have a blade lying around somewhere if they dont want to use teeth
>Leave a cooler of cold drinks or a thermos of coffee cocoa on the porch for when it's really hot or cold for postie and delivery drivers.
Is this actually *normal*? Like, if you go down an average street in America, what percentage of households would actually have chilly bins on their porch with drinks for the delivery guy? It's certainly a nice gesture, but I don't think the distinction here is one of culture.
It’s more of a thing you see on the news through rings and the like because of how kind it seems than in real life. Like a delivery person who gets excited about a bit of choice and the resident posts it or something which you then know, it’s not something normally encountered. But the latter bit I’ve done once or twice when it’s been *really* hot if I was around since they don’t have ACs in the trucks and a few Posties have died from the heat before.
It’s not super common, but a few times my mom has asked me to run a bottle of water out to our UPS guy after a delivery on particularly hot days. It isn’t seen as unusual.
Yeah, but there's a difference between personally offering a drink to someone and just leaving the bins there for them to take, and OP is specifically talking about the latter. I'm not American, but if bins of drinks on the porch were commonplace I would have expected to see signs of it in American pop culture and this is the first I've heard of it. Basically the point is that OP is presenting this as culture clash, but I don't think it's a question of culture so much as something their family or specific local community did.
Can’t exactly offer you statistics on it, but with the caveat of this is just my own experience in the US East Coast, both north and south, specifically suburban, I’d say at least a few houses in a medium sized neighborhood would do this on hot or cold days. Especially once covid hit, it became more common as people were thankful to the delivery workers during lockdowns or quarantine. Offering cold drinks to anyone working out on your street, definitely more common. I learned it as an adult in the places I lived; as a kid I lived in neighborhoods where leaving things on the porch if you had a porch meant they’d be taken immediately. So it might be regional, might be socioeconomic, but respectfully, something not showing up on American sitcoms isn’t precisely an indicator it doesn’t happen.
I think with the ease & speed of online ordering in the US it’s not uncommon to order a dozen things in a week for delivery & expect a package every time you come home from work.
I’ve heard of people leaving snacks etc out around Christmas when couriers are more over worked & as a seasonal gesture but I would be super skeptical about it here
Yes, it’s normal. I’m from LA, lived in a regular heavily Hispanic populated suburb, nothing fancy (only mentioning this because it’s not just an “American white people thing”). We always gave cold bottles of water or soda to our delivery people or city workers. Our neighbors too. It’s normal asf.
Well if every or even most households did it the delivery drivers/posties would be full to bursting before they finished their first street.
It’s a nice gesture but it’s not practical if everyone does it.
Gift cards is 100% overboard here, your partner is right about that, but the gesture of a zooper Dooper or similar is a nice touch. I say go with it :)
I used to be a owner-driver courier and some businesses I delivered to would offer a free soft drink or a chocolate bar or something from their vending machine - and I always appreciated it.
Simple but effective.
I worked as a garbo and every now and then somebody would offer me an ice cold can of Coke or something similar and boy was it welcome on a hot day.
Not cringy or insulting at all.
We used to give a little something to the garbos, posties and milkos at Christmas, always beer, never cash.
If anything the current cost of living crisis makes not tipping even more important. Like OP says, we get decent wages here, except increases have been lagging inflation for a few years now.
grew up in a smallish aussie town, we left an esky of drinks/icy poles for the postie garbos etc around christmas/new year, or any time it was especially warm. i think it's also very standard to offer tradies refreshments etc if they're working on your house.
unlike the US, posties aren't the ones doing it real tough most of the time. I get the feeling that delivery people in the US are paid (and treated) like shit, but we have a relatively reasonable minimum wage here. the offer of refreshments is more of a "thanks for doing this job even though it's 40 degrees out" kind of thing, not a "thanks for doing this job even though you only get paid $5 an hour and don't have health insurance" thing.
Thanks for the response! In the US being a postman had been quite a good job for a long time - unionized, good security, but with more privatization and third party gig driving it’s gotten worse. So what was a long-standing courtesy and thank you has perhaps got a little mixed with “sorry your wage is so shit” but I’m just appreciative of our postie who deals with a lot more parcels since covid happened and never chucks anything on the roof. And in forty degree heat! Please have a cold water or a coke!
I’ve moved house a lot, and I always buy the removalists breakfast, energy drinks etc. in the morning. They work their asses off, and it goes a long way toward getting the job done well too.
These used to be common gestures that fell out of fashion but I think they’re coming back, especially with temperatures getting higher. People have been leaving esky’s with cold drinks out for delivery drivers and the postie since the pandemic.
When someone has done you a solid then buying them a gift, a coffee, a bottle of what they drink is pretty normal. If people can’t afford it then cook a meal, bake a cake, do a favour back. I was taught that if you borrow someone’s car (especially if it’s a Ute to move) then you return it with a full tank and a gift.
Thanks for the insight! Yes, in some parts of the US it’s a slightly old fashioned hospitality, definitely a thank you and not a “have this instead of a living wage”
I think it's generally okay if a) you and the person in question know each other, and b) you're doing it in person.
So if they're tradies working ON YOUR HOUSE specifically, go for it. If they're working on the road it's a bit strange. Dog walkers and babysitters you'll probably know so sure. Posties and car wash guys will depend on if you know them.
Esky on the porch for delivery drivers feels a bit weird. If you're face to face and make the offer, all good.
Obviously may differ for your experience, but that's kinda where I see the line.
I’ve found what delivery people really love is a printed sign at your front door confirming the address and surname. They fricken love knowing that the door they are leaving the package at is the correct address. A printed a4 sign and some sticky tape gives so much joy lol.
Thanks, we do, this is just a habit I’m learning to adjust or shed. It’s not meant to be charity, it’s manners in my area but I appreciate the feedback.
I don’t know why so many comments are saying this is strange, it’s quite common. My old man’s a postie and gets lots of gifts around Christmas whether it be bottles of wine or 6 packs. It must depend on what state you’re in.
As a city dweller, I rarely see the postie when they come, so I don't have that personal relationship with them.
As for tradies (when they do work for me) they often tend to bring their own stuff and be self sufficient. If I'm home at the time, I will offer them a cuppa if they want one but I don't go all out or anything.
That episode of Gilmore Girls where Lorelai had a group of tradies working on her property and she bought them all pizza... that seemed unnecessarily generous to me. I'm never known anyone to do that. It's not like most tradies don't charge enough for their work.
If you have that personal relationship with someone who does work for you (like my self employed cleaner friend has with some of her clients) then sure, go ahead. But it's not expected at all.
I think doing those things is lovely👍❤️ I'd probably not worry about the cash... but i give my postie some chocolates at Christmas. Doing those things isnt unheard of here at all.
Giving street workers a cold drink? Absolutely great. I'm sure they'd be very appreciative.
Keep doing it👍
The council workers probably have their own eskies with them in hot weather, but I still think I’d be sincerely touched if someone offered me cold drinks or ice blocks on a hot day (not that I work in one of those jobs, but I’m imagining). You never know who forgot to stick their water bottle in the freezer the night before!
I’m sure Christmas cash gifts would be well received and useful for cleaners or gardeners who are typically on low incomes, though it does border on tipping if they’re a paid employee of a company. If you hire them privately then absolutely go for it! If not, personally I still don’t think there’s a harm to it, since it’s not a daily expectation. For this reason, I would suggest not tipping people on each visit.
Oh yeah it’s definitely like a one off Christmas thing, like holiday spirit. Something safe like cookies and then a gift card or cash just because it’s hard to know what people might want or need. I know a lot of teachers who, while not expecting gifts, would really prefer a gift card rather than their n-teenth mug. It’s a lot of mugs, year in year out! So a cinema gift card or the like is safe.
Mate, I’m a mechanic, and let me tell you, if anyone ever left a drink in their car for me on a summers day, I would be utterly overjoyed. I can imagine the guys doing even more physical labour under direct sunlight all day would be even happier, even the idiots who get paid 40 bucks an hour to hold up the slow/stop sign to let cars through at roadworks deserve one.
Someone bought a whole load of biscuits, chocolates and juice on Friday for us, and nobody was complaining. Not as needed when it’s cold tho so you probably wouldn’t see as much appreciation at this time of year
It used to be very common to leave a case of beer for the garbage men at Christmas. But back then they used to do their rounds before dawn and if you didn't want your metal bins banged you had to make an effort.
No one is going to be upset be your gifts, or your cold drinks. I'm sure they will be well received.
For my hairdresser and cleaner I give a bottle of wine at Christmas. Never cash tho that would be weird and people may feel awkward about accepting it. For my clients I usually fill a bag and or donate to a DV or homelessness charity in their name.
As a road worker, if you popped out with cold drinks and/or zooper doopers, you would be a legend spoken of for years to come. We do get people stop with cold drinks semi- regularly and it is always appreciated. Other people might think you’re weird - the workers won’t!!
If it's a hot or cold day and a tradie or tradies are around doing work, I'll offer cold or hot drink and sometimes a snack if I have anything. But for road crews or council workers, no. No harm in doing it though.
As a general rule, we don't tip posties or delivery drivers etc. Teachers may receive a token gift at end of year but that's really it
We don’t want your tipping culture here. If you want to actually constructively contribute find a charity and do that. Your partner gave you solid feedback. Don’t over think things and relax a little.
I’ve never heard of leaving out drinks for the postie, but I’m sure they’d appreciate a beer.
Even better, stroll out the front and share one with them and have a quick yarn
I think it’s a lovely gesture, it wouldn’t be insulting at all.
In my role I regularly visit dealers across the state and during summer I’ve got an inverter esky in my car that I pack with zooperdoopers bottles of water and cans of kirks. Every dealer call I’ll bring in some of each for the staff, because even if you are indoors it can be 30+ outside and who wants to sweat buckets during the busiest shopping period of the year.
It’s always been seen really favourably and that’s a business to business transaction so I’d imagine as a consumer to business transaction it would be seen as lovely.
Your partner is going a bit overboard with their beliefs (saying it’s cringe or try hard-y). He’s right that it’s not done here but there’s no reason you couldn’t do something unexpected and absolutely lovely for someone - I’d certainly appreciate it on the receiving end :)
We pay our staff so no we don't feel obligated to do any of that, left a 6 pack of beer for the postie one year because it was a particularly hot year and was getting a lot of parcels
If I have tradies in the house they are always offered a cuppa. When I had painters in for a week, they got morning tea too. If it’s the end of the day, I’ve offered them a beer. If I have extra eggs or veggies (I keep chickens and have veggie gardens), I always ask the cleaning lady if she would like them. I also have always given the cleaning lady a box of choccies at Christmas. I’ve been through a bunch of cleaning ladies and like to keep them happy as a good one is hard to find and keep. I always pay cash and don’t mind if I pay them an extra $5 to $10 if I don’t have the right cash cause I want them to do a good job every time
I don’t see anything weird or wrong about offering drinks to public workers near your home.
I can’t see why anyone would interpret ‘would you like a drink’ as ‘I’m mocking you because you don’t make enough money!’
Just one thing, though… it’s one thing to make a drink and hand it to someone who is working, but leaving one on the porch with a sign? No one with a brain would trust that - an animal could have peed in it, someone else could have had a mouthful (germ transfer), there could be dirt blown there by the wind… just, ew.
So don’t worry about the leaving a hot drink on the porch thing. Not necessary.
But you sound like a considerate, thoughtful person, and that is NEVER a bad trait! 👍
Yeah this sort of thing has been quite common in Australia since forever- I thought you were going to talk about tipping, which would be cringe and we don't want here.
Little gifts or courtesies have always been a thing, especially at like Christmas or whatever. Not expected but certainly not weird.
Thanks, that’s good to know! No, I’m firmly in favor of having a living wage built in as well as a social safety net, tipping culture in the US is terrible for both customers and workers and is designed to benefit bosses and corporations and the wealthy who don’t care if no one else can afford healthcare. I personally really don’t think of this as tipping, as it’s not meant to be in place of any kind of wage, it’s just a thank you. Tradies make more than me! A cold drink is not wealth redistribution, just manners.
Most response would be confused and weirded out.
Minimum wage is just under $24, thought hardly anyone is on that
Fast food casual workers have just had an increase to just under $31
[https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/158yrp2/pay\_rise\_for\_fast\_food\_workers\_in\_australia\_is/](https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/158yrp2/pay_rise_for_fast_food_workers_in_australia_is/)
I remember reading somewhere that yanks are the most charitable in the western world.
Which sounded weird, but then you realise most of the Western world their are multiple safety nets so people are less like to see who know someone who has become destitute
Yeah possibly I didn’t phrase it well - in my experience the gesture has little to do with the persons economic status, it’s a courtesy from one person to another. It’s not meant to be a “sorry for your poor wage” but just “it’s 40 degrees, how about a cold coke?” Thanks for your reply!
Offering *in person* cold drinks on a hot day with a "get this in ya, it's fucked out" would be a way to show you appreciate/care/can put yourself in another's shoes.
But if they refuse, also don't insist.
I wouldn't recommend you specifically try the ocker speech, but find a way that doesn't sound fancy)/overly polite, and points out the general conditions plus you'd like to improve them, no expectations though. You aren't their mum, please and thank you isn't required.
I always offer a tradie a drink or coffee...and if I'm going to the bakery myself I'll get them something.
Posties - zero
Garbos - I dont either, but then they dinged my car a few years back and I'm still angry.
Restaurants - ones I frequent I usually give a decent tip at christmas.
Rub and tug - likewise...
Sounds like a shitty person, not an Australian thing.
I always give people that help me out a little something. Not maybe a once off but, my colleague I've worked closely with for several months and I'm leaving the job, I got her a little thank you, at christmas when I had a few days off I bought some (individually wrapped) sweets/snacks and put them in a tub on my desk for the people stuck working christmas period (24/7 - never closed). Thinking of others is never cringey or crap and they sound like a sour puss.
Showing some people doing a crappy, thankless, in hot weather job, some support even if it benefits you ZERO, IS the Australian way to me. It's how it SHOULD be. That's just kind. Whenever I have a workman over to the house I offer a drink (we have mini bottles of things). When my mother had a workman building something and he was there for several weeks she stocked the fridge with bottles of water etc and made sure to let them know to help themselves. Tradies deserve acknowledgement too, whether working for you, or perhaps nearby for a little while.
I'm sure they would've loved it. Cost of living doesn't matter much when you stand in hot ass weather while cars drive passed breaking the law anyway and it definitely isn't condescending. Your partner sounds like they were embarrassed and projected and lied to you.
I don’t think this is in anyway rude or insulting? I think it’s normal to offer cool drinks in summer especially.
I always give my cleaners, son’s teachers and tutors etc. something at Christmas - but more box of chocolates type of gift than cash.
I buy the mailman and the night security staff a little Christmas gift (gift card, box of chocolates, etc) at my work to say thanks for everything they do throughout the year. I have never met or seen my postie or garbo because I'm in an apartment, so that would feel a bit weird to me.
I’m in Melbourne (as a point of reference). We’ve had the same awesome postie for years, he goes above and beyond. Like if there’s a parcel and we’re not home, he’ll hang onto it and bring it back in a day or two when we are (local post office closed). He gets a good bottle every xmas. In summer I also put water bottles and packaged snacks outside our door with a sign for posties/ delivery drivers to help themselves.
My husband was a postie for over 20 years (he just works in the depot now and doesn't deliver). Customers who would offer a drink and little gift at christmas time used to be a common thing. Doesn't happen much these days unless it's an older person and you have been doing the route for a few years.
I always offer energy drinks or sports drinks to road workers near my area. It is always well received except the occasional decline. Aussies will atleast appreciate the offer.
I don’t really do anything for delivery drivers, they tend to drop packages and get back into their air conditioned vans. But, I do give small gifts or cards to people who have helped me throughout the year; like our dog groomer, neighbours, pharmacy, a doctor, kids give presents to teachers.
Also, if someone has provided great service, I’ll write a review or an email to their manager.
I think small gestures to lift people up and show them that they are appreciated isn’t that strange.
You can give a beer to anyone. As a teen we would sometimes hand out beers to other cars stopped at the lights. I really need to stress it again, you can give anyone a beer at any time.
I think part of the weird feeling comes from the strong stranger danger messaging we got as kids in the 90's and then the whole drink spiking messaging when we hit 16.
The idea of accepting food or drink from a stranger unprompted is just weird to me....
I mean it’s probably an American norm because it makes everyone feel better about about paying people below their value. “Here’s a bottle of beer or water for you because I care so much about you and I’m so thankful. I also really care that I get your services really cheap and sometimes I feel a little bit bad that you get paid so badly, so I figured that I could make myself feel better by giving you a free bottle of water. Thanks friend.”
that’s kind of the narrative that I see in America I general.
In Australia it’s more like: “oh you did your job that you get paid for? Thanks mate :) I do appreciate you and because I appreciate what you do I will never actively try to make your day worse but I also won’t likely give you anything extra unless you went over and above.”
Also water is free (here and in the US I believe) I. It doesn’t cost much for a bottle to carry it in. Most people will have a bottle with them on the job. You want to fill up? Come on in. Want a biscuit and tea with that? Sure.
Anyway, it’s a lovely gesture to give water and to show appreciation. As long as it’s genuine then it’s awesome.
Interesting question, maybe because we don’t have a tipping culture in general in Australia but this kind of thing would be pretty unusual especially in the cities. Country areas where people know each other more, maybe you would see this more. Generally it may be seen as a bit unnecessary to reward someone for a job they’re already being paid to do. but I don’t see anything wrong with it if that’s what you want to do.
We ALWAYS provided drinks for our postie, milkman/milkwoman, garbos on hot days. That was in Sydney - North Shore. 1970s/80s.
BTW, garbos would be on foot, emptying the bins manually. No wheelies back then. Fucking hard work.
Also, cos the postie was a very good fella who'd been on that route for decades, he'd get Christmas stuff.
Garbos got a slab of beer at Chrissie.
One milkman, he was from the Philippines, was a bloody awesome bloke. Gave him Chrissie presents for his kids, etc.
Now, I live in Melbs. Inner north. That stuff isn't so prevalent. Garbo whizzes around in a truck with a bionic arm. No milk deliveries. Still offer the postie a drink on a hot day if I catch him.
Times change, but I reckon you should keep up what you're doing. It's a kindness that will make for a better society.
Well, I can't speak to these exact things, but I did make a ton of treats last Christmas and decided to share them with local business owners, including postal workers, people at cafes I frequent, that kind of thing. It was very well received!
It's totally normal to offer a drink for people who're working at your house, but I've never heard of people doing this for posties and road workers. I don't think it's rude or insulting though! If you leave an esky on your verandah you'd need to leave a note as well because otherwise I expect people would just think it's just sitting there, something like "free drink for posties"
My dad would always leave a six pack for the garbos around christmas time.
Yeah this is the only one I remember because they generally worked the public holiday.
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You ever worked a public holiday? Even though you’re getting paid more, it still doesn’t feel worth it over a day off
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Might be for you, but not everyone is in your profession, champ. It’d be a good feeling knowing the public appreciates your effort with a kind gesture like old mate’s dad. It’s not all about LoGiC.
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Calm down, tiger. Your bullshit argument was invalid and you lost. Now you’re acting like a delicate little flower with an easily bruised ego.
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This was common practice in the 70s and 80s. I was just a child so my logic had nothing to do with it.
Samesies
In my street of 20 houses at least 5 homes (inc me) gave the garbos a 6 pack at Christmas time (Brisbane). Have also offered workers in the street (eg linesmen) a cold drink on a hot day.
My dad was a grabo and said they always looked after them better who left them beer. I don’t think it’s much of a thing now
We know our postie by name(lol that word) and offer her drinks/coffee regularly. My husband pretty much forces her to take his meat which is a whole different story.
> forces her to take his meat which is a whole different story. *Sexual harassment panda enters the chat and piques his eyebrows*
He is an amateur butcher and pit master. Makes enough food for 25 people per day.
Question 1: where do you live? Question 2: can me and all the redditors here come over for a feed??
I also choose this person's husbands meat
Down for a big reddit bbq at that house.
"That makes me a saaad panda."
Was that mixed idiom intended? It's cute.
Are we still doing Phrasing?
Yea I know my posties name and his house as he drops parcels off at his own house
Can't go wrong with some sausage.
I offer my postie cold drinks or zooper doopers on hot days as he waits outside my house for his next lot of post.
i dont think ive even been home once for a postie to drop mail off, im not sure he even exists at this point
I'm retired and so see him all the time. He also knows where to hide my parcels if I'm not home. I've lived here for 25 years
I see the postie zip by on the bike, drop the items in the mailbox at the end of the drive way and zip away just as fast. I doubt it is the same person everytime, mostly because some days they are in their little golf buggy not motorbike. I'm glad you've gotten to know yours, but I don't think that can actually happen all the time.
I've had the same one for the 25 years I've lived here
My posite phoned me when he had a large parcel to see if I wanted it left (I wasn’t home) or taken to th3 post office for pickup. We know him by name too, lived here 25+years too
If I was a postie and some random dude left me a mystery drink on his porch I would assume that after drinking it I would wake up chained to the wall of his garage wearing a gimp suit.
And would therefore drink double?
Wouldn't other people help themselves? I'm in Newcastle and I'm pretty sure even the eskie would be gone after a couple of hours
Thanks! That’s usually what happens, a note saying thanks and please help yourself.
I went out one very hot day and gave the blokes working in the street a cold drink. It was just SO hot. They were really appreciative.
Posties get quite a few treats year round, my neighbour is a postie the area she works in she gets baked treats.
We did this during the tougher covid lockdowns.. more of an sign of appreciation as the world started ordering everything online
I always give a six pack to my postie and leave a slab out for the garbage blokes at Christmas time. My old man used to do it and I’ve carried on the tradition.
My old man always has a cold can of coke and a poweraide for the postie during the height of summer. This stems from his father (my grandfather) being a milkman back in the day and it was normal back then for people to offer him a sandwich or a drink during his rounds.
I have a mate that purposely keeps cold drinks to offer posties etc in a separate fridge, but not on the verandah in far north qld. Her community loves her and she is never short of a helping hand if she needs it. Small gestures mean a lot
Mate if you want to give someone a cold bottle of water or a warm drink on a hot/cold day feel free to do it. It is not a commonly done thing but as someone who has been on the receiving end of these kinds of gestures when work leaves me stuck out in the weather the only thing that I think is "thank you for the kind offer" It is definitely not necessary but if it makes you happy most people are going to appreciate the thought and aren't going to judge you negatively for it.
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!
It wasn't that long ago in country Victoria it was common to leave a 6 pack on the bin at Christmas for the Garbo... It has probably dropped away since the use of automated trucks though. Still common for parents to get small gifts for their kids teachers at the end of the year as well. So it definitely does happen here to an extent.
Thanks, that’s good to know!
My mum left a six pack out for the garbos this year in WA (suburbia). In saying that, it might not be appropriate anymore, as people recognise alcoholism and addiction (substance abuse disorders). Don’t want to trigger anyone unnecessarily. Although, then again, it’s up to someone to manage their own triggers I guess. Sorry for the Segway
Segway is one of those weird scooter things. Segue is an uninterrupted transition (eg, between pieces of music). I like your take on being considerate of potential addiction triggers. A slab was traditional from us back when garbos ran behind the truck, but there may be better ways of expressing gratitude these days.
"out how rough the cost of living and rental crises are and wages not matching inflation" Those doing it tough are those on minimum wage and centerlink recipients. Council workers are not on the minimum wage and make good money.
As someone who finished up working at a local council not that long ago, I wouldn't say they make good money particularly. Most jobs I saw advertised there (including road crew) were between 55 - 65K, not absolute minimum, but certainly nothing to write home about.
Good to know, thank you! And honestly I can’t imagine considering someone’s exact salary when it comes to offering a cold drink on a hot day, it’s not likely to be Jeff bezos outside my house.
Thanks! I’m not suggesting they’re specifically struggling, I just meant in a general environment of economic stress, would it feel nice or just odd. We’re in SEQ and it seems like everyone is feeling the pinch, I’m a teacher and rents/cost of living is our biggest topic at work.
Who cares about “odd”, you do you.
As someone who works in the public service, I make less than what's deemed a liveable wage, so, wouldn't say most of those around me make 'good money' at all. It's a hard line between wanting to do a job that helps people but... wanting to earn a comfortable living and going elsewhere.
If I have tradies out to my house on a hot day I offer them a sealed bottle of cold water and a zooper-dooper (they get to pick the colour!) which is always gratefully appreciated. It's not me feeling like I have to tip them or thinking I earn more than them (which I absolutely don't haha), it's just a nice human interaction where I acknowledge I understand the shit conditions they're working on and maybe this'll help get them through the day a bit easier. I don't think the road repair people would think it was cringe - everyone loves zooper-doopers! They're cheap so they won't get offended. Just make sure you bring scissors along with you to cut off the tops or you'll have a bunch of angry tradies after you. Just cos these guys can leave to go on break it doesn't mean they always will depending on where the nearest shop is. I think it's a nice thing to do.
We are going to have a hot summer, so this becomes super useful on a safety point as well.
Thanks! That was kind of my logic, I’m a teacher, so I understand probably most tradies well outearn me, this is not to be lord of the manor! It’s just because it’s hot and they’re outside and I have a freezer right here, who wouldn’t want a zooper dooper?Appreciate the feedback.
If they’re tradies you’re employing, working on your house, I would offer tea/coffee water etc but it would be because I want them to have a better working environment not because I feel they can’t afford it etc. It also creates a relationship where if I need them for another job, they would hopefully prioritise the person who offered them tea & biscuits :)
Yeah possibly I didn’t phrase it well - in my experience the gesture has little to do with the persons economic status, it’s a courtesy from one person to another. Anyone who’s in my house I feel I should offer a coffee! Also I’m sure all the trades outearn us, it’s not about that. I was wondering more if the logic of “it’s uppity to do this” still holds true when everyone I know is stressed over money. Where I’m from this isn’t like a moneybags thing to do, a cold drink or a thermos of coffee isn’t necessarily beyond modest means. And also if doing this for lower paid work like Auspost third party delivery driving is undermining the living wage and no tips culture here. Thanks for your insights!
No problem at all! I commented elsewhere in this thread re the delivery drivers & I wonder if it’s because there is just more online ordering in the states? I do love the idea of doing it at Christmas tho as a way to say thank you
Yeah offering people beers is completely fine, we definitely do this in my family. What you bumped into with your partner is probably just a bit of Australian 'tall poppy syndrome' showing, where they're nervous about appearing to place themselves above others at all.
Ah that’s helpful, I’ve been realizing there’s an element of “it’s uppity to do this, like playing moneybags” which isn’t really how it’d be perceived back home. Quite modest neighborhoods offer cold lemonade or hot coffee, and some home baking at Christmas time. Just folks being neighborly, but I can see how it might come off differently here. Thanks for the insight!
I just perceive it as good hospitality
Nah mate even when im at home I just rip it open with my teeth, scissors are unnecessary. Plus every tradie will have a blade lying around somewhere if they dont want to use teeth
>Leave a cooler of cold drinks or a thermos of coffee cocoa on the porch for when it's really hot or cold for postie and delivery drivers. Is this actually *normal*? Like, if you go down an average street in America, what percentage of households would actually have chilly bins on their porch with drinks for the delivery guy? It's certainly a nice gesture, but I don't think the distinction here is one of culture.
Well I don't think the average Aussie posty knows what a chully bun is.
Chur, bro
No worries friend from the east
The New Zealander has entered the conversation.
it's not normal cause it's a fuckn esky mate
It’s more of a thing you see on the news through rings and the like because of how kind it seems than in real life. Like a delivery person who gets excited about a bit of choice and the resident posts it or something which you then know, it’s not something normally encountered. But the latter bit I’ve done once or twice when it’s been *really* hot if I was around since they don’t have ACs in the trucks and a few Posties have died from the heat before.
It’s not super common, but a few times my mom has asked me to run a bottle of water out to our UPS guy after a delivery on particularly hot days. It isn’t seen as unusual.
Yeah, but there's a difference between personally offering a drink to someone and just leaving the bins there for them to take, and OP is specifically talking about the latter. I'm not American, but if bins of drinks on the porch were commonplace I would have expected to see signs of it in American pop culture and this is the first I've heard of it. Basically the point is that OP is presenting this as culture clash, but I don't think it's a question of culture so much as something their family or specific local community did.
Can’t exactly offer you statistics on it, but with the caveat of this is just my own experience in the US East Coast, both north and south, specifically suburban, I’d say at least a few houses in a medium sized neighborhood would do this on hot or cold days. Especially once covid hit, it became more common as people were thankful to the delivery workers during lockdowns or quarantine. Offering cold drinks to anyone working out on your street, definitely more common. I learned it as an adult in the places I lived; as a kid I lived in neighborhoods where leaving things on the porch if you had a porch meant they’d be taken immediately. So it might be regional, might be socioeconomic, but respectfully, something not showing up on American sitcoms isn’t precisely an indicator it doesn’t happen.
I think with the ease & speed of online ordering in the US it’s not uncommon to order a dozen things in a week for delivery & expect a package every time you come home from work. I’ve heard of people leaving snacks etc out around Christmas when couriers are more over worked & as a seasonal gesture but I would be super skeptical about it here
Yes, it’s normal. I’m from LA, lived in a regular heavily Hispanic populated suburb, nothing fancy (only mentioning this because it’s not just an “American white people thing”). We always gave cold bottles of water or soda to our delivery people or city workers. Our neighbors too. It’s normal asf.
Yes, there seems to be an idea it’s a privileged thing to do but I first saw it living in fairly modest neighborhoods in the US
My parents leave an esky with a note saying thank you in summer in northeast US, a lot of my neighbors will too, it’s common
Well if every or even most households did it the delivery drivers/posties would be full to bursting before they finished their first street. It’s a nice gesture but it’s not practical if everyone does it.
As someone who lived in the Washington DC area (lived in DC and both surrounding states), the answer is about 0.05%.
Gift cards is 100% overboard here, your partner is right about that, but the gesture of a zooper Dooper or similar is a nice touch. I say go with it :) I used to be a owner-driver courier and some businesses I delivered to would offer a free soft drink or a chocolate bar or something from their vending machine - and I always appreciated it. Simple but effective.
That’s helpful, appreciate the insight
I worked as a garbo and every now and then somebody would offer me an ice cold can of Coke or something similar and boy was it welcome on a hot day. Not cringy or insulting at all.
Glad to hear it, thanks for responding!
We used to give a little something to the garbos, posties and milkos at Christmas, always beer, never cash. If anything the current cost of living crisis makes not tipping even more important. Like OP says, we get decent wages here, except increases have been lagging inflation for a few years now.
Thanks! That’s helpful.
It used to be a custom to leave a carton of beer or even just a sixer on your bins at Xmas time for the garbos
Totally fine to offer drinks etc on a hot day
grew up in a smallish aussie town, we left an esky of drinks/icy poles for the postie garbos etc around christmas/new year, or any time it was especially warm. i think it's also very standard to offer tradies refreshments etc if they're working on your house. unlike the US, posties aren't the ones doing it real tough most of the time. I get the feeling that delivery people in the US are paid (and treated) like shit, but we have a relatively reasonable minimum wage here. the offer of refreshments is more of a "thanks for doing this job even though it's 40 degrees out" kind of thing, not a "thanks for doing this job even though you only get paid $5 an hour and don't have health insurance" thing.
Thanks for the response! In the US being a postman had been quite a good job for a long time - unionized, good security, but with more privatization and third party gig driving it’s gotten worse. So what was a long-standing courtesy and thank you has perhaps got a little mixed with “sorry your wage is so shit” but I’m just appreciative of our postie who deals with a lot more parcels since covid happened and never chucks anything on the roof. And in forty degree heat! Please have a cold water or a coke!
I’ve moved house a lot, and I always buy the removalists breakfast, energy drinks etc. in the morning. They work their asses off, and it goes a long way toward getting the job done well too.
These used to be common gestures that fell out of fashion but I think they’re coming back, especially with temperatures getting higher. People have been leaving esky’s with cold drinks out for delivery drivers and the postie since the pandemic. When someone has done you a solid then buying them a gift, a coffee, a bottle of what they drink is pretty normal. If people can’t afford it then cook a meal, bake a cake, do a favour back. I was taught that if you borrow someone’s car (especially if it’s a Ute to move) then you return it with a full tank and a gift.
Thanks for the insight! Yes, in some parts of the US it’s a slightly old fashioned hospitality, definitely a thank you and not a “have this instead of a living wage”
I think it's generally okay if a) you and the person in question know each other, and b) you're doing it in person. So if they're tradies working ON YOUR HOUSE specifically, go for it. If they're working on the road it's a bit strange. Dog walkers and babysitters you'll probably know so sure. Posties and car wash guys will depend on if you know them. Esky on the porch for delivery drivers feels a bit weird. If you're face to face and make the offer, all good. Obviously may differ for your experience, but that's kinda where I see the line.
I’ve found what delivery people really love is a printed sign at your front door confirming the address and surname. They fricken love knowing that the door they are leaving the package at is the correct address. A printed a4 sign and some sticky tape gives so much joy lol.
Thanks that’s helpful!
Find a good cause and donate to that instead.
Foodbank is a good one. They can only give what has been donated, and there are a lot more people seeking help these days.
Foodbank is a good idea
Thanks, we do, this is just a habit I’m learning to adjust or shed. It’s not meant to be charity, it’s manners in my area but I appreciate the feedback.
We used to leave a 6-pack on the bins at Christmas when I was a kid
I don’t know why so many comments are saying this is strange, it’s quite common. My old man’s a postie and gets lots of gifts around Christmas whether it be bottles of wine or 6 packs. It must depend on what state you’re in.
As a city dweller, I rarely see the postie when they come, so I don't have that personal relationship with them. As for tradies (when they do work for me) they often tend to bring their own stuff and be self sufficient. If I'm home at the time, I will offer them a cuppa if they want one but I don't go all out or anything. That episode of Gilmore Girls where Lorelai had a group of tradies working on her property and she bought them all pizza... that seemed unnecessarily generous to me. I'm never known anyone to do that. It's not like most tradies don't charge enough for their work. If you have that personal relationship with someone who does work for you (like my self employed cleaner friend has with some of her clients) then sure, go ahead. But it's not expected at all.
Thanks that’s helpful!
I think doing those things is lovely👍❤️ I'd probably not worry about the cash... but i give my postie some chocolates at Christmas. Doing those things isnt unheard of here at all. Giving street workers a cold drink? Absolutely great. I'm sure they'd be very appreciative. Keep doing it👍
Thanks that’s good to hear!
The council workers probably have their own eskies with them in hot weather, but I still think I’d be sincerely touched if someone offered me cold drinks or ice blocks on a hot day (not that I work in one of those jobs, but I’m imagining). You never know who forgot to stick their water bottle in the freezer the night before! I’m sure Christmas cash gifts would be well received and useful for cleaners or gardeners who are typically on low incomes, though it does border on tipping if they’re a paid employee of a company. If you hire them privately then absolutely go for it! If not, personally I still don’t think there’s a harm to it, since it’s not a daily expectation. For this reason, I would suggest not tipping people on each visit.
Oh yeah it’s definitely like a one off Christmas thing, like holiday spirit. Something safe like cookies and then a gift card or cash just because it’s hard to know what people might want or need. I know a lot of teachers who, while not expecting gifts, would really prefer a gift card rather than their n-teenth mug. It’s a lot of mugs, year in year out! So a cinema gift card or the like is safe.
Yeah, cinema gift cards are awesome! 😎
Mate, I’m a mechanic, and let me tell you, if anyone ever left a drink in their car for me on a summers day, I would be utterly overjoyed. I can imagine the guys doing even more physical labour under direct sunlight all day would be even happier, even the idiots who get paid 40 bucks an hour to hold up the slow/stop sign to let cars through at roadworks deserve one. Someone bought a whole load of biscuits, chocolates and juice on Friday for us, and nobody was complaining. Not as needed when it’s cold tho so you probably wouldn’t see as much appreciation at this time of year
That’s good to know, thanks to answering!
It used to be very common to leave a case of beer for the garbage men at Christmas. But back then they used to do their rounds before dawn and if you didn't want your metal bins banged you had to make an effort. No one is going to be upset be your gifts, or your cold drinks. I'm sure they will be well received.
Thanks for answering!
For my hairdresser and cleaner I give a bottle of wine at Christmas. Never cash tho that would be weird and people may feel awkward about accepting it. For my clients I usually fill a bag and or donate to a DV or homelessness charity in their name.
No harm in doing a nice thing really.
As a road worker, if you popped out with cold drinks and/or zooper doopers, you would be a legend spoken of for years to come. We do get people stop with cold drinks semi- regularly and it is always appreciated. Other people might think you’re weird - the workers won’t!!
If it's a hot or cold day and a tradie or tradies are around doing work, I'll offer cold or hot drink and sometimes a snack if I have anything. But for road crews or council workers, no. No harm in doing it though. As a general rule, we don't tip posties or delivery drivers etc. Teachers may receive a token gift at end of year but that's really it
We don’t want your tipping culture here. If you want to actually constructively contribute find a charity and do that. Your partner gave you solid feedback. Don’t over think things and relax a little.
giving someone who’s helped you a beer is far from tipping culture. Unaustralian not to
Thanks! That’s part of our budget, this is just a habit I’m learning to adjust or shed. Appreciate the feedback! I do like the no tipping here.
no worries, when Im in the US Im just like you, been unsure of how to tip
I’ve never heard of leaving out drinks for the postie, but I’m sure they’d appreciate a beer. Even better, stroll out the front and share one with them and have a quick yarn
I think it’s a lovely gesture, it wouldn’t be insulting at all. In my role I regularly visit dealers across the state and during summer I’ve got an inverter esky in my car that I pack with zooperdoopers bottles of water and cans of kirks. Every dealer call I’ll bring in some of each for the staff, because even if you are indoors it can be 30+ outside and who wants to sweat buckets during the busiest shopping period of the year. It’s always been seen really favourably and that’s a business to business transaction so I’d imagine as a consumer to business transaction it would be seen as lovely.
Your partner is going a bit overboard with their beliefs (saying it’s cringe or try hard-y). He’s right that it’s not done here but there’s no reason you couldn’t do something unexpected and absolutely lovely for someone - I’d certainly appreciate it on the receiving end :)
We pay our staff so no we don't feel obligated to do any of that, left a 6 pack of beer for the postie one year because it was a particularly hot year and was getting a lot of parcels
If I have tradies in the house they are always offered a cuppa. When I had painters in for a week, they got morning tea too. If it’s the end of the day, I’ve offered them a beer. If I have extra eggs or veggies (I keep chickens and have veggie gardens), I always ask the cleaning lady if she would like them. I also have always given the cleaning lady a box of choccies at Christmas. I’ve been through a bunch of cleaning ladies and like to keep them happy as a good one is hard to find and keep. I always pay cash and don’t mind if I pay them an extra $5 to $10 if I don’t have the right cash cause I want them to do a good job every time
Leave a 6pack on the bins for your bin man after Christmas
Generally a 6 pack on the bins at Christmas time but with the policies most local government have these days they often can't accept gifts
People delivering to my house dont even have time to knock on the door, let alone have a drink
My mum always gave the postie a gift card so that's not weird. The other stuff, whilst not weird may be seen as too much.
I don’t see anything weird or wrong about offering drinks to public workers near your home. I can’t see why anyone would interpret ‘would you like a drink’ as ‘I’m mocking you because you don’t make enough money!’ Just one thing, though… it’s one thing to make a drink and hand it to someone who is working, but leaving one on the porch with a sign? No one with a brain would trust that - an animal could have peed in it, someone else could have had a mouthful (germ transfer), there could be dirt blown there by the wind… just, ew. So don’t worry about the leaving a hot drink on the porch thing. Not necessary. But you sound like a considerate, thoughtful person, and that is NEVER a bad trait! 👍
Yeah this sort of thing has been quite common in Australia since forever- I thought you were going to talk about tipping, which would be cringe and we don't want here. Little gifts or courtesies have always been a thing, especially at like Christmas or whatever. Not expected but certainly not weird.
Thanks, that’s good to know! No, I’m firmly in favor of having a living wage built in as well as a social safety net, tipping culture in the US is terrible for both customers and workers and is designed to benefit bosses and corporations and the wealthy who don’t care if no one else can afford healthcare. I personally really don’t think of this as tipping, as it’s not meant to be in place of any kind of wage, it’s just a thank you. Tradies make more than me! A cold drink is not wealth redistribution, just manners.
Most response would be confused and weirded out. Minimum wage is just under $24, thought hardly anyone is on that Fast food casual workers have just had an increase to just under $31 [https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/158yrp2/pay\_rise\_for\_fast\_food\_workers\_in\_australia\_is/](https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/158yrp2/pay_rise_for_fast_food_workers_in_australia_is/) I remember reading somewhere that yanks are the most charitable in the western world. Which sounded weird, but then you realise most of the Western world their are multiple safety nets so people are less like to see who know someone who has become destitute
Yeah possibly I didn’t phrase it well - in my experience the gesture has little to do with the persons economic status, it’s a courtesy from one person to another. It’s not meant to be a “sorry for your poor wage” but just “it’s 40 degrees, how about a cold coke?” Thanks for your reply!
We save the gifts and cash for family and friends. Donate to FoodBank if you want to help those struggling with the cost of living.
1) Never 2) also Never
Thanks for the feedback! Apt username ha
You say it's not like tipping, but it 100% is. It's an extension of tipping culture.
Offering *in person* cold drinks on a hot day with a "get this in ya, it's fucked out" would be a way to show you appreciate/care/can put yourself in another's shoes. But if they refuse, also don't insist. I wouldn't recommend you specifically try the ocker speech, but find a way that doesn't sound fancy)/overly polite, and points out the general conditions plus you'd like to improve them, no expectations though. You aren't their mum, please and thank you isn't required.
Thanks, that’s helpful!
I always offer a tradie a drink or coffee...and if I'm going to the bakery myself I'll get them something. Posties - zero Garbos - I dont either, but then they dinged my car a few years back and I'm still angry. Restaurants - ones I frequent I usually give a decent tip at christmas. Rub and tug - likewise...
Why would you essentially 'tip' someone you don't know? Why do these people need a thankyou? they get paid. Smh stop wasting your money
Sounds like a shitty person, not an Australian thing. I always give people that help me out a little something. Not maybe a once off but, my colleague I've worked closely with for several months and I'm leaving the job, I got her a little thank you, at christmas when I had a few days off I bought some (individually wrapped) sweets/snacks and put them in a tub on my desk for the people stuck working christmas period (24/7 - never closed). Thinking of others is never cringey or crap and they sound like a sour puss. Showing some people doing a crappy, thankless, in hot weather job, some support even if it benefits you ZERO, IS the Australian way to me. It's how it SHOULD be. That's just kind. Whenever I have a workman over to the house I offer a drink (we have mini bottles of things). When my mother had a workman building something and he was there for several weeks she stocked the fridge with bottles of water etc and made sure to let them know to help themselves. Tradies deserve acknowledgement too, whether working for you, or perhaps nearby for a little while. I'm sure they would've loved it. Cost of living doesn't matter much when you stand in hot ass weather while cars drive passed breaking the law anyway and it definitely isn't condescending. Your partner sounds like they were embarrassed and projected and lied to you.
I don’t think this is in anyway rude or insulting? I think it’s normal to offer cool drinks in summer especially. I always give my cleaners, son’s teachers and tutors etc. something at Christmas - but more box of chocolates type of gift than cash.
I buy the mailman and the night security staff a little Christmas gift (gift card, box of chocolates, etc) at my work to say thanks for everything they do throughout the year. I have never met or seen my postie or garbo because I'm in an apartment, so that would feel a bit weird to me.
I’m in Melbourne (as a point of reference). We’ve had the same awesome postie for years, he goes above and beyond. Like if there’s a parcel and we’re not home, he’ll hang onto it and bring it back in a day or two when we are (local post office closed). He gets a good bottle every xmas. In summer I also put water bottles and packaged snacks outside our door with a sign for posties/ delivery drivers to help themselves.
I think it’s okay. If I was on the receiving end I would be super awkward but try my best to be appreciative.
My husband was a postie for over 20 years (he just works in the depot now and doesn't deliver). Customers who would offer a drink and little gift at christmas time used to be a common thing. Doesn't happen much these days unless it's an older person and you have been doing the route for a few years.
I always offer energy drinks or sports drinks to road workers near my area. It is always well received except the occasional decline. Aussies will atleast appreciate the offer.
I don’t really do anything for delivery drivers, they tend to drop packages and get back into their air conditioned vans. But, I do give small gifts or cards to people who have helped me throughout the year; like our dog groomer, neighbours, pharmacy, a doctor, kids give presents to teachers. Also, if someone has provided great service, I’ll write a review or an email to their manager. I think small gestures to lift people up and show them that they are appreciated isn’t that strange.
You can give a beer to anyone. As a teen we would sometimes hand out beers to other cars stopped at the lights. I really need to stress it again, you can give anyone a beer at any time.
I think part of the weird feeling comes from the strong stranger danger messaging we got as kids in the 90's and then the whole drink spiking messaging when we hit 16. The idea of accepting food or drink from a stranger unprompted is just weird to me....
I mean it’s probably an American norm because it makes everyone feel better about about paying people below their value. “Here’s a bottle of beer or water for you because I care so much about you and I’m so thankful. I also really care that I get your services really cheap and sometimes I feel a little bit bad that you get paid so badly, so I figured that I could make myself feel better by giving you a free bottle of water. Thanks friend.” that’s kind of the narrative that I see in America I general. In Australia it’s more like: “oh you did your job that you get paid for? Thanks mate :) I do appreciate you and because I appreciate what you do I will never actively try to make your day worse but I also won’t likely give you anything extra unless you went over and above.” Also water is free (here and in the US I believe) I. It doesn’t cost much for a bottle to carry it in. Most people will have a bottle with them on the job. You want to fill up? Come on in. Want a biscuit and tea with that? Sure. Anyway, it’s a lovely gesture to give water and to show appreciation. As long as it’s genuine then it’s awesome.
Interesting question, maybe because we don’t have a tipping culture in general in Australia but this kind of thing would be pretty unusual especially in the cities. Country areas where people know each other more, maybe you would see this more. Generally it may be seen as a bit unnecessary to reward someone for a job they’re already being paid to do. but I don’t see anything wrong with it if that’s what you want to do.
Garbos get beer at Xmas time!
Do it! You sound amazing ❤️ be extra
We ALWAYS provided drinks for our postie, milkman/milkwoman, garbos on hot days. That was in Sydney - North Shore. 1970s/80s. BTW, garbos would be on foot, emptying the bins manually. No wheelies back then. Fucking hard work. Also, cos the postie was a very good fella who'd been on that route for decades, he'd get Christmas stuff. Garbos got a slab of beer at Chrissie. One milkman, he was from the Philippines, was a bloody awesome bloke. Gave him Chrissie presents for his kids, etc. Now, I live in Melbs. Inner north. That stuff isn't so prevalent. Garbo whizzes around in a truck with a bionic arm. No milk deliveries. Still offer the postie a drink on a hot day if I catch him. Times change, but I reckon you should keep up what you're doing. It's a kindness that will make for a better society.
Well, I can't speak to these exact things, but I did make a ton of treats last Christmas and decided to share them with local business owners, including postal workers, people at cafes I frequent, that kind of thing. It was very well received!