Times are tough, but it's rude not to tip

You haven't gotten a haircut since August. You leave the house too early to greet the trash collectors. And the only one who sees your dog walker on a regular basis is your dog.

Does that mean you can safely sidestep holiday tipping this season

especially since we're still in a down economy?

Absolutely not, says etiquette expert Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute, in Burlington, Vt.

But a tip doesn't have to mean cash.

"I really like to think of it as 'holiday thanking,' because then people don't get so caught up with the money," says Post, a great

great

granddaughter of 20th

century etiquette doyenne Emily Post. "This is the time of year to appreciate services you've had all year long."

If finances are tight this season, a gift of food with a simple note will do just fine, adds Post

and don't feel compelled to spill all the details of your employment status.

"I don't think you have to say you lost your job, but you can say this year was tougher than last: 'I know this isn't what you're used to receiving from me, but I want you to know this is no way a reflection of displeasure. The service was still excellent,"' suggests Post. "That way, people understand it's tough times right now, and that's all it is."

Honesty is always best, especially if you're newly unemployed, says Stephanie Miles, a contributing writer for Recessionwire, a Web site that offers economy

related news and advice.

"If you can't afford to give the tip you normally would, it's still worth saying thank you, writing a nice note, baking cookies or anything like that, and somehow showing your appreciation," says Miles.

And don't compare your holiday

tipping practices with those of your neighbors, advises Post.

"What one person is able to do, another person isn't," she says. "Don't judge the guy next door because he wasn't able to do what you were able to do."

In Westchester County, even those who are still employed are cutting back on hair appointments, facials and manicures

which may lead to a skipped holiday tip, says Mamaroneck etiquette consultant Melissa Leonard of EstablishYourselfNY.

"Instead of going every month, they're going every three or four months, so when the time comes, they think, 'Well, I didn't really go all year. I'm not going to make an appointment in December, so I'll skip the holidays,' " says Leonard.