The French might be said to be among the stingiest tippers in the world but that reputation does not take into account a longstanding custom that still exists, although it is said to be slowly dying out.
Around the end of the year - traditionally at New Year but sometimes also over Christmas - is the time to thank the "man/woman on the street" or in their apartment block, or even in their home.
It’s long been a tradition in France to give workers like postal workers, firefighters, rubbish collectors, cleaners, caretakers and concierges (les gardiens in your apartment block) an envelope with anything from €10 to €50 as a token of your gratitude.
These little financial shows of gratitude are called "étrennes".
Etrennes can also take the form of a Christmas/ New Year gift.
France has the Romans to thank for this selfless act. They worshipped Strenua, the goddess of the New Year, purity and well-being, and as a result they exchanged gifts as good omens.
The tradition has lived on in France despite being banned after the French Revolution.
While the tradition remains, some suggest the custom appears to be dying out somewhat with one poll showing that only 18 percent of French people will hand over cash this year.
For the president of the country's union of concierges the tradition is dying out partly because people feel they have less cash to spare.
"Most people, whether or not they are owners or tenants, when you hear them speak, they talk of the problems that they have, the cost of the concierge or the expensive charges (extra-costs for the upkeep of the apartment block), so we understand," said Slavica Nikolic.
But the burning question asked in France each year is combien? In other words: how much should I give?
It's important to remember that you are under no obligation to give anyone a tip and there's no official rules to follow for how much to give.
This is the time of year when people may also go door-to-door selling calendars - this is different to les étrennes, and there are strict rules about who is allowed to sell calendars.
READ ALSO: Pompiers and posties: What you need to know about France’s seasonal calendar-sellers✎
The concierge/gardien: If you live in an apartment block and the building’s caretaker has been particularly helpful and polite, anything from €30 to €50. Although residents who have been there a few years may well give more, especially if the gardien or gardienne has also been there a while.
There is an unwritten rule that renters should give 10 percent of their monthly rent, so €100 for anyone who pays €1,000 a month rent.
But it's worth noting that giving the "étrennes" is not obligatory so if you really can't stand your concierge, if you never see him/her, or if your block is a mess, then don't feel you have to part with a penny.
On the other hand, this is the person who is in charge of receiving your packages throughout the year and who you sometimes must leave a spare key with - it's probably unwise to annoy them.
Whether or not you tip others is also a personal choice - if you do, the French bank Boursorama gives a guideline amount of €5-€10 for people working for an organisation like the postal service or waste collectors, and €20-€50 for people who provide a personal service like cleaners.
Here's a look at the other groups who you might tip;
The poste: Postal workers should get between €5 and €10, France TV Info argues.
The cleaner: Between €20 and €50 is the recommended amount. But remember the times your place was a mess and how the cleaner left it looking sparkling before you hosted all those guests? That and the fact that they are likely underpaid anyway means many people choose to opt for the higher amount for their cleaner.
The garbage collectors: A €5-€10 bill for France’s rubbish collectors. They’re doing the job none of us want to do, they get up at an ungodly hour and they rake it in, literally but not metaphorically. (If you've ever lived through a waste collectors' strike you will probably give more after realising just how essential these guys are).
Firefighters: €5 to €10 for the sapeurs-pompiers. Some 78 percent of France’s 244,900 firefighters are volunteers so they’ve definitely earned more than just a pat on the back.
Many firefighters also sell calendars at this time of year, but the money from these usually goes to firefighter charities or benevolent funds, rather than directly in the pompier's pocket.
Speaking of pompiers, local brigades sell their own calendars but there is also another, somewhat more raunchy offering whose proceeds also go to charity. You're welcome.
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