Dear Harriette: With regard to tipping parking-garage attendants, Denise in New York may want to consider tipping each attendant on payday or on another frequent schedule. Sometimes young men change from job to job, and if she waits until the holidays, an attendant who was performing top-notch service may not be there to benefit from her generosity. By the way, thanks for this wonderful tipping thread. I'm looking forward to seeing your readers' suggestions on amounts for holiday tips.

- Kim, Canton, Mich.

Dear Kim: You make a great point. It is extremely thoughtful to tip in the moment (or as close to it as possible), not only in parking garages but in grocery stores and other businesses where people often work short stints.

Also, if you find that come year's end you are often short on cash, you may consider tipping the people who care for you regularly in the moment or whenever you can. That way you won't feel as guilty if you don't have the resources to tip them well in December.

Dear Harriette: Let's make it easy . . . and do away with holiday tipping! It's gotten so out of control, everyone with his or her hand out. I work hard to try to give my family a comfortable life, not to dole out my hard-earned cash to someone else. Why should I tip the garbageman who is paid from my sky-high taxes? It's against the law to tip the mailman, and I'm a law-abiding citizen. I studied hard, went to college, earned a degree and have a job that pays a decent wage but not a great one. I don't get tips from my clients for doing what I was hired to do. Why should anyone else? And tips were originally meant ''to ensure prompt service'' - why shouldn't prompt service be part of every job? My mantra is, we can't do away with taxes but we can do away with tips. Let the revolution begin!

- Anthony, New York

Dear Anthony: I dare say there's a large contingent of readers who concur with your feelings! I understand how overwhelming the world of tipping can become, especially if you have a long list. I know for me the list just for people who tend to my building is daunting, and that doesn't include the many other service providers in my life.

While I don't like the idea of being beholden to others for particular amounts of money at year's end, I do know that many people working in service roles get paid rather low wages with the expectation they will receive a tip. Should you oblige when you don't consider the recipient deserving? I don't think so. It makes sense that you wouldn't reward a job poorly done.

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* HARRIETTE COLE runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. E-mail her at askharriette@harriettecole.com.