By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter 
WHAT STARTED out as a mere gratuity to service workers (postmen and garbage collectors) just after the Second World War, has now evolved into a mandatory Christmas tradition for servicemen in general.
Every year, residents have come to expect that familiar brown envelop in their mailboxes, waiting to be filled with a donation for the services rendered by postmen and garbage collectors throughout the year.
Alwyn Miller, who lives in the Duhaney Park area, says he gives to encourage these servicemen or to say thank you. "Sometimes we might have some tree limbs or old appliances to dispose of and the garbage collectors will be very helpful," he said.
"We give because it's Christmas, a time of giving and they are looking forward to it. When they get these donations, they will want to serve you better, because reward sweetens labour," said another resident in Greendale, Spanish Town.
However, this Christmas, persons have been reporting that they are being sent envelopes from delivery men and other service providers from all walks of life. "We can no longer budget for the postman or garbage collectors only, but every Jack-man and Jill-woman that provide regular services for you throughout the year," said Joseph Hyman, resident of a prominent community in St. Andrew.
While some residents have felt the need to give, others have found it almost an imposition, as one resident in Portmore theorised. "If we don't give them a contribution, then we might be the target of intentionally poor services."
But Richard Randall, a deliveryman for a company in Kingston, contends that this is not so. He is always grateful for whatever donations he gets. "When I give out envelopes, I don't expect everyone to give," Randall says, but admits that he does "look at those differently", who don't give.
SELFISH TYPE
"I see them as the selfish type, who show no appreciation for the services provided," he said. Randall, however, maintained that the services he provides to those who do not give, will not falter, as he is already being paid by the company.
Some postmen say it is the residents who approach them at times and offer contributions for their services throughout the year. "It's not all the time we get money. Sometimes we will get a bottle of wine or a little cake," said one postman.
But the 'Christmas envelopes' is the least of the postal workers' worries.
NO MONEY
"We have no money in our pockets for the Christmas," a supervisor in charge of the postmen at one of the main post offices in the Corporate Area, said. This supervisor, who requested anonymity, lamented the fact that he was given three-weeks' pay, pointing to a cheque stub with only $6,000. "We will not be paid again until January next year," he said.
Gordon Brown, public relations officer for the Postal Corporation of Jamaica, said postmen normally organised the issuing of 'Christmas enve-lopes' among themselves, as "it is their way of helping themselves since there is no bonus structure" for them at Christmastime.
While admitting that the corporate office had no official policy where this was concerned, Brown said that residents have been supportive of the venture, and that there was no record of residents complaining.
Brown, however, went on to say that this tradition has now become far more extended than just the postmen and garbage collectors seeking a tip at the end of the year.
"Generally speaking, delivery people on a whole are beginning to do it," Brown said. In specific relation to postmen, however, Mr. Brown said that if residents have a problem or feel threatened in any way, they can contact the corporate office or customer hotline, and the matter will be dealt with through the proper channels.
When the Metropolitan Parks and Market (MPM) was contacted, a senior manager said the company had no policy on garbage collectors issuing envelopes at Christmastime.
One garbage collector said: "It's neither here nor there, because mi never lucky fi get no contribution yet. People only give to people they know well."
