Well, I got a letter in the mail from the local paper yesterday, stuck *in* the newspaper -- so it didn't need a stamp, I suppose. I get one of these every year. Sometimes the bill will have a line to the effect of "Remember your paper delivery person." Now, in the city your paper might be delivered by some kid trying to earn a few bucks and some tender hearts might be tempted to slide him a little extra. But my paper comes in the mail and I don't think mail carriers are allowed to accept cash. Maybe I'll bake her some cookies?

About this time every year we read how much to tip everyone around us. Most of it was obviously written by and for city dwellers, as I don't have a doorman, never have been in a taxi, and own nothing that has to be dry-cleaned. No one walks my dog or checks my coat or gives me a pedicure.

Now, I'm not a cheapskate and will tip a waiter 20% or more for excellent service. But let's face it, a lot of these holiday tipping recipients get paid to do a job and a tip won't likely change how well they do it. Would my mail lady do a better job of putting the flag down if I left her a tip? I'd hope not; that's part of her job. If I knew her personally and, for whatever reason, just wanted to say "Thanks for getting my stuff in the box instead of on the ground" then maybe it would make sense.

Am I being a Scrooge on this? Does anyone here tip anyone outside of a waiter or maybe a barber? Do you tip these people only around Christmastime -- or is it year-around?