please no fights about tips..i really didn't know that. probably because i was raised in a country where there's no mail delivery and you pick up your mail at the post office. same thing for newspapers (i actually have never had papers delivered because they're at my job). so i never thought and never heard about tipping your mail person...frankly the rare times i see my mail carrier, i can tell you it's been at least 3 different persons..so how do you know who you tip? also, i have a bit of problem with tipping mail carriers..they don't get paid badly, and get healthcare and a pension plan. but that's just me. i tip people who's job pay crap and/or live on tips, period. i don't think i'm cheap, offlady. i think it's really nice of you if you do it...but i'll go with joesorce's comment...where do we stop?

I'm just going to open myself up to the risk of being considered nothing short of self serving...

If you plan to travel in the future and would use this agent again, by all means give a gift (and something from the country you're visiting as well as information from that area seems appropriate).

People do business with people and often their motivation to go the extra mile is based on how they perceive you and what type of relationship you've established. Human nature being what it is, the agent is apt to treat you better if you treat them better and a gift is one method of changing the terms of your relationship.

Beyond the gift itself, its a thank you and expression of appreciation for a job well done. People like to be recognized for a job well done and it motivates them to continue to do so and to go the proverbial extra mile.

Of course you could just give a gift because you are a nice person...either way its a "win-win"

No, no, no! You don't get it, caribtraveler. You tip because you appreciate that you get that "extra service with a smile." It should not matter how much commission the agent is getting by booking your flight, if their benefits include medical, 401k, or whatever. Well-paid or not, people are still people and they still appreciate a nice thank-you gesture for going that extra mile for you. So do you still tip someone on minimum pay if they are rude or give you lousy service (as many are)? Probably not. And for that situation regarding several mail carriers--I would either get to know my regular mail carrier by name personally, give whoever happens to bring my mail on Christmas eve, or buy several smaller gifts instead of one, and pass them out to all 3. Where we live, people even leave gifts out for our trashmen at Christmas or New Years. If you rarely reciprocate with a tip to show your appreciation, chances are you will not be the recipient of outstanding service too often.

I think you unusually "generous" with tips, offlady, and you run the risk of being insulting with your tips and gifts. I don't tip my doctor for giving me good customer service, nor do I tip his receptionist for being especially nice. I am not the royalty passing out coins to the commoners.

I will, however, send a letter to that person's boss, to customer service, or other people who can have an impact on that person's advancement or promotion.

I don't think it is insulting to tip, and I don't always tip in the form of cold cash. I will bring pastries for my kids' pediatritian office on occasion. He has bent over backwards for me in return (called us on his day off to ask me to bring my kids in when the office was supposedly closed, for the flu vaccine this year when the vaccine supply was extremely difficult to get, as an example). And I have bought chocolates or little gifts when I return from my travels for the receptionist. She will drop what she is doing and make that last minute lunch reservation for me when I'm in a rush with clients. I guess I may be generous, but I'd rather take the risk of being that than just another face in the crowd.

*rolling my eyes*

Does he call every patient to bring their kids into his office on his day off when the office is closed or just you? What the heck did you put in those pastries?

Why don't you make your move, You know you want to - Valantine's day is this weekend.

This post is about showing my appreciation to my travel agent for a job well done, it is not about free advertising or sex as some of you have implied. Seems like some of you have got the wrong idea. Am I going to have the same problem with my TA?

It is kind and thoughtful of you to want to show appreciation to your TA. I hope you get her a gift. It will be a nice reflection on you.

I agree that one of the best things you can do it advise their Manager/President, etc. of the woderful job they have done and why. This will stay with them and be recorded. Employers like to know that the people that work for them are doing a great job.

swillams: you obviously want to give her something. then do so. i'd say stay away from flowers or chocolate because there's a good chance she would get the wrong idea with that type of gift. someone suggested bringing back something from your trip. not a bad idea. also, unless you're a millionaire and she's aware of it, i'd suggest you don't buy something really expensive. it might make her uncomfortable and again give her the wrong idea.
i still think there's nothing wrong with repeat business/referrals and as the previous poster suggested letting her boss know of her outstanding service.
offlady: so nice of you to finally kind of answer the original poster after first insulting people you don't know "some of you sure sound cheap" because you don't agree with their suggestions, and then proceeding to share with us how many ways you're such a generous/wonderful person.
"judging strangers shows a lack of generosity in one's character"
you chew on that one for awhile.

Hey! Do you think I can get a better deal if I tip the IRS agent? Hadn't occured to me--does it work?

Sorry about the previous mis-spell--occurred!

SWilliams=

I think a gift is most appropriate for the work she/he did IF you enjoyed yourself...

I bring my agent some candy ( ie. chocolates filled with liquor from Austria--when I was there)..it is something special that you cannot get here..

I have also sent flowers...or brought back sachet from Provence....

And yes, I do tip my mail carrier as she actually calls my home PRIOR to delivering a pkg to make sure I am there--and if not, and it needs a signature, I tell her to sign and leave in the mailbox--THAT is service WAY above the call of duty...and she is worth every penny!!