Hi everyone,
I understand that tipping isn’t as much the norm here as what I was accustomed to in the U.S., and I’m finally (happily) coming to grips with that fact. However, I’m curious about whether there are any exceptions or special points of etiquette I should be aware of at Christmas time.

Should we do anything special for our apartment building staff, the postman, or any of the other folks that provide services on a day-to-day basis? Whether it’s cash, cookies, or simply a card, many of the people that I encounter every day are always so helpful and nice, I want to be sure treat them appropriately at Christmas time.

Tipping gets weird (and potentially offensive) if it’s not expected or customary, but cookies are lame if cash is the norm… So can someone help me out on the Christmas time tipping or customs?

Thanks all!

ejml

Nothing would really be expected .. does remind me of a joke in the jokes thread though (involving $5). Just do what you feel like though, I have yet to receive a complaint for tipping or handing someone a yummy cookie or similar... after all giving gives pleasure to the giver too

some tips here: Christmas tips for hauswart?

Well generally I would only tip or give a pressie ( small one mind) to someone that really served me well or i have a connection to,so you can't be wrong by presenting the janitor of your building with a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.Of course you pay for the service with the charges added to your flat,but still it's nice to get a thank you this way

Having a handicapped child that needs lots of therapies also made me to give small tokens of thanks to the therapists,sometimes it was a gift we crafted together or then again wine or chocolates ( after so many years I now know their preferences )

The neighbour who flatsat when u went on extended travels,looked after you children until you came home from work or did similar services to you, will also be happy to receive a small thanks or an invitation to some drinks.

So you see one could say as a basic rule consider the people who you've got regular, personal encounters with adn who served you directly in a way or other, so that rules ut the lady on the till at the local Migros or the tramway driver

I'm going to give the ladies at my son's nursery a couple of bottles of well-earned wine. God, those women are saints!!

Great, thanks for the replies! (And thanks, Bartholomew, for that link – I really did search, but didn’t see that one!)

It seems from the responses that basic politeness and common courtesy are the norm. I guess I spent too long on the east coast of the U.S., where we just handed out cash at Christmas like it was candy (something I really disliked). I almost forgot that in some places it is still the thought that counts.

Looks like I'll be doing some baking!

That gesture will probably make your life easier in the future....

here are two links to a general guide I once wrote,about giving and receiving gifts in Switzerland for all occasions


http://www.xpatxchange.ch/index.php?...292&Itemid=106


http://www.xpatxchange.ch/index.php?...293&Itemid=106

Oh yes, I couldn't agree more. Our hauswart is first on our list!

And thanks, EastEnders - excellent, I will check these out!

I would actually give the Hauswart/Concierge and newspaper delivery person cash. These typically aren't well-paid jobs and a little Christmas subsidy would probably be very welcome.

Good advice, thanks. What is appropriate for the Hauswart? Something like 20CHF? 50CHF? More?

Keep in mind, he patiently suffers through my awful German...

Maybe or it could be offensive depending on how they take it. The Hauswart is not the person you want to upset is it, so I would suggest not giving cash and sticking to chocolates/wine which cannot really be taken the wrong way - unless they are Muslim...

...or a recovering alcoholic...

or a total hottie who will think you ar e trying to get in her pants....

Well for Muslims,I would give one of them beautifully made up baskets/plates with dried fruit for example, i know for a fact that this would be well received

Hmm... I think I'm safe. Pretty sure he's not Muslim, and quite sure he won't think I'm trying to get into his pants (though could the implication mean my dishwasher will be looked at more quickly?). Now the recovering alcoholic part, that I don't know. Might be a risk I'll have to take...

Christmas is a holiday just full of landmines, isn't it?

I certainly wouldn't give cash, I give my local bike shop 3 bottles of Oz redeye(from the local Landi, a 5-liber a bottle ) and two 10 pack boxes of stubbies for their great service throughout the year.So maybe some of your Zinfandel might not go astray.Helps out your wineries back home as well.

Can anyone help with teacher gifts. My children have started local swiss school. Do the children normally give their teachers something and if so what sort of thing.

Thanks

In which case you can give a cuddly toy...