New York City Holiday Tipping Ettiquette

Year in and year out, I’m asked about New York City holiday tipping etiquette.  Here’s my take:

I feel that a holiday tip is an acknowledgment of work well done and is especially appropriate at this time of year.  It is good manners, customary, and just plain “nice” to give a little something extra as a way to say “thank you.”  As anyone who dines out knows, tipping is expected; the base wages for wait staff assume they will be tipped.  The same holds true for many apartment building workers and others in local service industries.

Of course, service providers are expected to provide good service.  And if you work in these fields, you should go out of your way to do the little extras because it’s the right thing to do and not because you’re looking for money in return.  Having said this, it is quite simply human nature to go the extra mile for people who demonstrate their appreciation.

So, how much?  In determining what to give, keep in mind how pleased you are with the service, its frequency, how long you’ve known the person, your budget, the local custom, the level of service of your building (deluxe vs. moderate), whether you rent or own and personal chemistry.  If you just moved, it is okay to pro rate the gratuity, but don’t forget those you left behind.  The actual amounts given will reflect your personal financial circumstances and whether you feel particularly generous, frugal or somewhere in the middle.

The following are guidelines of suggested gratuities:

Apartment Building Superintendents: $25 - $250.  There is a wide range here depending on the services offered by your building and how much the super and the staff are at your beck-and-call during the year.

Doormen: $25 and up. Consider how nice they are, if you get lots of visitors and deliveries, and if they actually open the door and help with packages.  To maintain a level of quality service, you need to pay for it.  Unfortunately.  It is okay to tip some more than others, but you must presume that the staff compare notes.

Porters: $15 - $30. These people have a difficult and sometimes unpleasant job.  If you’ve spilled kitty litter or Styrofoam packaging stuffers in your incinerator room, you owe it to your custodian to remember.

Handyman: $15 - $30.  This is an instance where your tip can be proportionate to the amount of the work you’ve requested during the year.  If you merely greet the handyman in the hall, the lower end of the range should suffice.  If you’ve gotten him out of bed in the dead of night to repair a gushing water leak, ask yourself how much such a task is worth and show your appreciation accordingly.

Mail Carrier:  $10 - $20.

Garage attendant:   $20 - $50.

Nanny:  1 -2 week’s salary.

Housekeeper:  1 – 2 week’s salary.

Babysitter:  an evening’s pay

There is a long list of other people to remember during the holidays – personal trainers, stylists, manicurists, dog walkers, etc., and the range of what is considered appropriate is wide and left mostly to personal judgment.

Regardless of the cash value of any gift, it is important that a gratuity be given as a present.  If times are especially hard for you, bake something or do something else to show your appreciation and gratitude.  Always include a card and/or a hand written note and deliver it personally.  If money is being given, cash is preferred rather than a check.  The beginning of December is generally the most appreciated time to tip so the recipients can do their own holiday shopping.

In what can seem like an uncivilized city, it is important to remember to make a gesture of appreciation to those who make our lives easier.  The holiday season is the perfect time to do so.

With warmest wishes for the holidays,

Michael