[Gayle]

Huge minefield isn't it? I've never even considered tipping the postie before although I suppose that at Christmas he does have to work very hard. Only trouble is, how do you do it? I'm rarely in when he calls and it's sometimes a different chap - how should I get the money to him? Same with bin men - I'm usually out when they come round and I wouldn't trust putting an envelope on top of the bin because that would be unlikely to get to its intended recipient.

I always tip hairdressers, cabbies and at restaurants, plus I usually give the paper boy something.