just read a long post about tipping.

and i definitely agree with everything it said. a person even added that you should tip other service people, cleaning staff etc etc. but they left out the mail carrier. many people are surprisingly unaware that you are supposed to tip your mail carrier. think about it; they work all day every day[except sundays] in the worst weather conditions when you are bundled up in your house because it’s “too hot/cold/windy/muggy/rainy/dreary/snowy/foggy to go outside”. they don’t want to be outside anymore than you do.

my father was a mailman and i cannot stress the importance of tipping your mail carrier, ESPECIALLY on holidays. 

while receiving a cash tip from someone as a mail carrier is quite nice, the best thing you can do for them during harsh months (summer/winter), is to leave them a cold bottle of water or lemonade, or make them a mug of hot chocolate. it goes a long way and they appreciate it more than you know. 

moral of the story, tipping is a wonderful thing.

so do it.