“Newspaper carriers deserve a little extra,” Mary Schmich’s column regarding the tipping of newspaper carriers, reminds me of my youth when I used to deliver the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily News, and Chicago’s American to residents in Logan Square.
As a paperboy I found the job to be an invaluable experience. It taught me responsibility and taught me how to handle money, since I had to go door-to door collecting subscription fees. This personal contact proved to be financially lucrative since many customers were very generous when it came to tipping, which is something I have never forgotten. In one instance I threw the paper right through the window of one of my best customers. The following week I paid for the damage and after he paid the bill for the delivery of the newspaper, he still gave me a big tip!
Consequently, tipping the newspaper and mail carriers has become second nature. It gives me an opportunity to express my appreciation for a job well done, and also represents a sort of payback in fond remembrance of all those nice people in the neighborhood who were so generous when I was engaged in my first real job.
— Larry Vigon, Chicago
