The garbage man comes calling

Dennie Quill, Contributor

The Christmas holidays are behind us but I can't help reflecting on how Jamaicans responded in the face of a meagre economic year. With redundancies, tax hikes, shrinking pensions, high gas prices and utility bills, many people were operating on reduced budgets in December 2010. And it was obvious.

The Bank of Jamaica has confirmed that less money was in circulation than anticipated. People did not lose themselves in the traditional whirlwind of Christmas shopping. It was obvious, when one observed activities in shopping malls and plazas, that this key sales period did not live up to expectations. Many stores were empty and loads of people appeared to be simply window-shopping. And, I believe, some merchants did not really stock up this year; instead, they recycled last year's goods. This did much to dull the Christmas glitz.

Absent were the lavish displays of opulence in residential Christmas lighting, and many Christmas trees were naked of decorations. As to free eat-all-you-can parties, they were hard to find. Fewer Christmas cards were bought this year, thanks to the Internet, where free cards can be accessed and delivered in real time. Finding complimentary diaries and calendars this year was like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Sharing with others

And even though there are those who threw caution to the wind and maxed out their credit cards, Christmas is not all about shopping for gifts and food. Er, we cannot compromise on food at the Christmas table. But there were some people who tried to live the message of hope and love which characterises the Christmas story. They derive much joy from sharing with friends, family, co-workers, employees, the poor and the downtrodden.

The Bible says it is better to give than receive but, even so, giving is always optional. This is why we tip the mailman, hairdresser, barber, newspaper delivery man, supermarket bag packer, security guard and sanitation worker. We know they are not well paid and the monetary gifts they usually get will assist in making their holidays a bit brighter. But no one has a right to receive consideration from anyone.

Treated like trash

And this brings me to the disgusting behaviour of sanitation workers who service my area. As usual, they handed out envelopes to householders in early December. As far as I am concerned, their service was so very spotty in 2010 that they did not deserve to be rewarded. Be that as it may, I decided I would give them something, since we are all feeling the economic pinch. I believe most of my neighbours decided to show their appreciation as well.

Early one morning last week, the area was blasted with the horn of the garbage truck. This incessant blaring of the horn lasted for nearly an hour as the truck arrived at each gate. The driver sat on his horn, in a most belligerent fashion, until he was handed the now swollen envelope from each house. Mrs Joan Gordon-Webley needs to explain to her crew that tipping is not mandatory and is left solely to the householder's discretion.

The greater evil is that those whose tips were regarded as meagre can expect shoddy service in the months ahead. This business of Christmas tipping has got way out of hand.

Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and denniequill@hotmail.com.