Alnaldo Colon, a doorman at 41 West 72nd street who is loved by humans and animals alike.
This year’s Brick Underground tipping survey indicates that, at the high end, renters are often more generous than buyers when it comes to tipping doormen and other building staff. The survey isn’t scientific, but it’s always chock full of good information and worth a look.
Eleven percent of renters in doorman buildings tip a cumulative total of at least $2,500, versus 5% of owners in doorman buildings, according to the survey.
That said, the numbers can be sliced and diced in various ways — more buyers than renters spent at least $1,000 on tips.
The average tipping range for a doorman was $25 -$150, and $75-$175 for a super, the site reported. Garage attendants tend to receive $25-$75.
See the entire survey here, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Here’s our series on beloved Upper West Side doormen.
Tip well this holiday season!
“Tip well this holiday season”.
Why?
My family and I must be very lucky. We are in a market rate building and are quite fortunate to have the courteous and helpful staff we have to help us in the building. And since their “union pay” amounts to about $40K-$50k per year, living in this City, tipping them is the least I can do. Moreover, I believe the level of service we receive from the building staff is because we tip them during the holiday season. Yes – it adds up to about $1100.00 for 21 people including the super. But you get what you pay for – period.
So if you don’t tip you won’t get good service?
I believe that is called extortion.
No, it’s called life. Money talks…
Because building staff make our lives much easier. It’s the least we can do for them to show our gratitude.
EXACTLY !! Thank you for speaking up!
Perhaps this commenter is fortunate, for his building has an exceptionally wonderful and professional (UNION-IZED) staff who deserve a little holiday bonus at a time of year when they too are spending $$ on gifts and presents.
AND, for all the cheapskate faux-liberals who ask why they should bother to tip, think of it this way:
BY TIPPING THOSE LESS WELL-OFF YOU ARE DOING YOUR PART TO HELP END YOUR CAUSE-CELEBRÉ…INCOME-INEQUALITY!!
Put your money where your mouth is!
If you gon’ talk-the-talk then WALK-THE-WALK!!
In my building they don’t do much and most aren’t particularly friendly. Sounds more like a season of guilt and bribes that costs a ridiculous amount of money. My doctor makes my life easier. Should I tip her too?
I totally agree, it’s only here in New York, I never tipped in California. It’s weird. It’s your job, why make people feel like you have to tip your doorman and super, my super does nothing for me.
Mark, instead of posting negative crap on the internet about your lot in life, search the internet for a new place to live that makes you want to tip!
Dramatic much?
Yes.
My doctor gets a holiday gift (not a tip) because I appreciate her accessibility (quick appointments, email and phone access), listening skills, knowledge and concern. So do her nurse and receptionist, who are unfailingly helpful and professional. (Yes, I am very lucky.)
Dammit!! ????
your building does pay your staff a salary, yes? Have never understood why a doorman not making minimum wage but often a healthy union salary is worthy of tips but a starting out professional in, say PR or research, who makes a similar salary is not. They are all doing their jobs. Why is their salary not enough? I get it for servers who make under minimum wage but anyone else? At point point do we expect no one to do his/her job without being tipped? In all seriousness, what’s the cut-off?
As much as I appreciate my building staff, I really dread having to give out tips every year. Even paying modest tips can add up to a lot of money when a lot of staff members are involved. I also a market-rate renter, my rent has gone up significantly in recent years, and I am unable to save up much money other than my 401k.
I agree. Every month I pay my maintenance fee a portion of that goes into their pockets.
Tipping? Who tips me at my job?? NO ONE.
So, I’m subletting for 4 months, and the super has been very helpful, so should I just tip like a 1/3 of the average for supers?
why do you tip a server? maybe because they though give you a service they are paid to do anyway, you feel better and think it encourages them. you may be right, you may be wrong.
so, why not tip your building staff the same way? when they serve you—fix a faucet, get you lots of cabs, change a light bulb—give them a tip.
no need to tip at christmas, and you will be remembered as the occupant who tips on (almost) every job. so, they don’t provide any service, they get no tip, what’s to lose?
“why do you tip a server? maybe because they though give you a service they are paid to do anyway, you feel better and think it encourages them. you may be right, you may be wrong.”
annnnd. WRONG!
In Europe, no one tips b/c it’s included in the VAT wherever you go, as is the case with these people’s salaries.
Tipping has gotten way out of control with every cup of coffee and banana you buy you are expected to add to the kitty placed near the register with an “arrowed sign”.
FOOEY! You get paid, do your job. Want a better salary???
…yeah, so do I.
I’m happy to tip those who do their job willingly and well, and I tip all year round when someone helps me outside of their job. However, there are a few staff members who are negligent and/or rude, and I certainly don’t see any reason to reward them.
If they deserve a bonus for going above and beyond their job description then by all means show them the gratitude that you yourself would appreciate. It’s an investment for the coming year, to expect similar service.
TIP???? THEY SHOULD BE TIPPING ME FOR THE MONEY I HAVE TO PAY CON ED TO RUN A HEATER CAUSE OF THE PATHETIC HEAT MY CO-OP PUTS OUT.
You’re co-op is saving YOU money by not having the heat up to 80 degrees. Take your AC units out of the window and PUT ON A SWEATER!
?
That has nothing to do with Building Workers
Man Up and deal with the Co-op
A lot of Ebenezer Scrooge types in here, what’s wrong with all of you? You tip, end of story. These people work year round to meet all of your ridiculous demands. Those tips go a long way to maintaining a good relationship with tenants and to keep the spirits of people working up. I’m not surprised at all to see that people who own or pay market rate won’t tip. So much bitterness and anger towards anyone less well off. Normally it doesn’t bother me since I’ve grown jaded, but it’s disgusting what you all managed to type about hardworking people. “Let them eat cake”
Please calm down other Mark.
Your point was lost amidst your overly-dramatic post.
I tip servers because they are paid below minimum wage and depend on tips to make minimum wage (and above). Other than that concern I could care less about “service” at a restaurant and wish I could just be given a buzzer and go get my food myself and save the money lol (in fact, not having to tip is a big reason I eat at Chipotle often). Or I’d would far just pay a bit more for food and have the restaurant pay a regular wage and eliminate tipping. No one tips me to do my job (which I work long/hard hours at) so I generally feel no obligation (apart from social) to tip others who are also doing their job. I’ll tip 20% to a hair stylist but in all honesty I resent doing it since I don’t also tip my ob/gyn 20% and she’s doing me a far bigger/more personal service. The whole thing just blows my mind.
I tip the staff at my building. My coop and many others give all staff members a Christmas bonus which comes out of the pocket of all shareholders. Add this to the equation and you will find that staff is better compensated at coops than rental buildings.
I wonder how many rent stabilized tenants with comfortable salaries and weekend houses tip their staff.
I say do away with tips entirely in all industries. It is the employer’s responsibility to compensate employees based on whatever the market will bear. Leave the customers out of the compensation process.