Tacky or OK?
 

When giving someone a tip, say a bus driver at the end of a tour, is it tacky or ok to give it to them in an envelope with the dollar amount written on the outside?

I don't think it is tacky; just unnecessary.

I don't think you need to put it in an envelope...just fold it a couple of times and hand it to the driver.

Interesting question -- are you trying to get envelopes for numerous tipping situations ready beforehand and the amount on the outside would tell you which is which, or is there some other reason for wanting to do it this way?

That's the first thing I thought of too... that's what I do with my bills, just write the dollar amount under where the stamp goes to make sure I match it up correctly.

Anyway, I think if you write it small enough it would take any "tack" out of it that existed. I don't think any bus driver (or anyone) would think it's tacky... and if they did, who cares? I mean really, someone is giving you free money, who cares if it says how much on an envelope in tiny writing.

I don't know if this is pertinant but I recently ran out of bills so I had a dollar coin - I indicated to my driver that it was, in fact, a buck, not a quarter. :)

In general, I like things labeled on the outside. For example, when I'm looking at threads to read, I like the thread title to describe the contents. It makes it easier for future searches, as well.

Ok :d

In the current atmosphere the bus driver might also just throw away the envelope expecting an Anthrax attack or even report you to the local police. (I would add half of a smiley here if it was available.)

HTB.

That sounds like textbook OCD. Just give your tip out in a discrete fashion and go on with your day.

I vote OK, but may I ask why would you write the dollar amount on the outside of the envelope? Or more importantly, why would you even put the tip in an envelope in the first place? If there are advantages to doing either or both, they escape me.

Why not just write "driver" on the envelope.

When we take tours, I always put the money in envelopes... usually have several people to tip. I will put "driver", "guide", etc. on the envelope to ensure the right person gets the right amount.

I see no reason to put the amount on the outside... let them get surprised when they open the envelope... hopefully in a good way.

William