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Started By
Message
Just got our 2nd, yes 2nd, card and envelop from our mail carrier expecting a gift of cash
Posted on 12/17/25 at 9:57 am
Posted on 12/17/25 at 9:57 am
for the holidays.
We have had the same mail lady for several years. She's very nice. And every year she leaves blank envelopes with a happy holidays card inside with her name on it.
I asked my neighbors if they received one too and they explained yes they did and this was the equivalent of the housekeeper at a hotel leaving you a card/envelop so you can leave a cash tip for them when you depart.
I've never given her cash but know some neighbors that do or give gift cards to Starbucks or chick fil a etc.
We have had the same mail lady for several years. She's very nice. And every year she leaves blank envelopes with a happy holidays card inside with her name on it.
I asked my neighbors if they received one too and they explained yes they did and this was the equivalent of the housekeeper at a hotel leaving you a card/envelop so you can leave a cash tip for them when you depart.
I've never given her cash but know some neighbors that do or give gift cards to Starbucks or chick fil a etc.
27
Posted on 12/17/25 at 9:59 am to sidewalkside
She delivered it before Christmas and to the correct address.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 9:59 am to sidewalkside
Id write her a thank you note in it, more meaningful than cash! 
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:01 am to sidewalkside
a penny is cash
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:02 am to sidewalkside
A couple of years ago we had a mail carrier do the same. They were new to the route and I had no idea who they even were.
Maybe back in the day when mail carriers bore the brunt of all the mail and deliveries? Anyway, I don't receive many things from the USPS worth opening nowadays.
Maybe back in the day when mail carriers bore the brunt of all the mail and deliveries? Anyway, I don't receive many things from the USPS worth opening nowadays.
This post was edited on 12/17/25 at 11:56 am
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:03 am to MorbidTheClown
quote:and now a keepsake!
a penny is cash
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:05 am to sidewalkside
Give her a book of stamps.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:06 am to sidewalkside
They give you tip envelopes? Mail carriers? Whi get paid to deliver the mail?
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:06 am to sidewalkside
You want to giver her a REAL gift? Let her know what she's doing can cost her the job:
Federal Rules on Tips and Solicitation
USPS employees are federal employees and must follow the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch. Under those rules, they are prohibited from directly or indirectly soliciting gifts or tips from customers. This includes anything that encourages or hints that customers should give them money or gifts because of their job.
USPS
+1
All customers are considered “prohibited sources.” That means a postal employee cannot ask for gifts or tips from you based on the fact that they deliver your mail.
USPS
This prohibition specifically applies to any kind of request that leverages their official position or suggests customers should give them something.
USPS
?? What Can and Can’t Happen
? Permitted (voluntary, unsolicited):
Customers may leave a small gift for their mail carrier (usually non-cash, up to about $20 value; total from one customer must not exceed $50 per year) as a token of appreciation.
LegalClarity
+1
Modest refreshments (like a coffee or snack) are generally okay and do not count as a gift if they aren’t part of a meal.
USPS
? Not permitted:
Mail carriers may not accept cash or cash equivalents (including checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash) at any time.
USPS
They may not ask you for tips, solicit gifts, or include language in mail or cards that encourages tipping.
USPS
Federal Rules on Tips and Solicitation
USPS employees are federal employees and must follow the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch. Under those rules, they are prohibited from directly or indirectly soliciting gifts or tips from customers. This includes anything that encourages or hints that customers should give them money or gifts because of their job.
USPS
+1
All customers are considered “prohibited sources.” That means a postal employee cannot ask for gifts or tips from you based on the fact that they deliver your mail.
USPS
This prohibition specifically applies to any kind of request that leverages their official position or suggests customers should give them something.
USPS
?? What Can and Can’t Happen
? Permitted (voluntary, unsolicited):
Customers may leave a small gift for their mail carrier (usually non-cash, up to about $20 value; total from one customer must not exceed $50 per year) as a token of appreciation.
LegalClarity
+1
Modest refreshments (like a coffee or snack) are generally okay and do not count as a gift if they aren’t part of a meal.
USPS
? Not permitted:
Mail carriers may not accept cash or cash equivalents (including checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash) at any time.
USPS
They may not ask you for tips, solicit gifts, or include language in mail or cards that encourages tipping.
USPS
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:07 am to sidewalkside
I give my mail lady a gift certificate. She's cool and she does a good job. She knows my English bulldog by name and doesn't mind when I'm on my porch smoking a bowl of high test when she comes to the house to drop off packages.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:07 am to sidewalkside
Just get her a $15 Starbucks gift card and tell her maybe that'll help put a little pep in your step.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:09 am to sidewalkside
When my wife was doing custom t-shirts, mugs, etc and she was sending/receiving pretty high volume all year long, but especially the holidays, we would leave snacks/drinks in a bucket at the door for all delivery drivers, and I feel like we gave our mail lady a gift for a few years, but she's been on our route for a long time, and she would do things we felt like were above and beyond to make our job and her job easier.
Now that we just get regular mail and an occasional package, we don't do anything.
Now that we just get regular mail and an occasional package, we don't do anything.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:16 am to sidewalkside
According to ChatGPT it is absolutely against policy for mail carriers to do this. They work for the federal government. You should let that person know that they can lose their job for doing that.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:17 am to sidewalkside
The fatigue continues
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:17 am to W2NOMO
You could contact the postal inspector. If you do just remember in the future you will probably end up contacting bill collectors that you never received a bill.
I am giving my mail lady a gift card.
I am giving my mail lady a gift card.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:21 am to sidewalkside
It is illegal under federal law to deposit unstamped mail in a mailbox, as this violates Title 18 U.S.C. § 1725, which prohibits placing mailable matter without postage in a letterbox approved by the U.S. Postal Service. Violators may face fines for this offense.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:21 am to sidewalkside
Post a pic of it.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 10:24 am to sidewalkside
I generously tip people who make minimum wage or less. But at the coffee shop, if I order black drop coffee, 50 cents is my absolute maximum.
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