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How do you tip staff you rarely see?

Teri Rogers Headshot - Floral
By Teri Karush Rogers  |
December 16, 2010 - 10:53AM
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If you can't track down all of your building's staff to tip them, hold "tipping hours" in your apartment, or send out an email. 

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Good question. Brick Underground has previously recommended that you not ask the super or resident manager to hand out cash tips, as some staff say they distrust this method. Another tip is to put a family photo into the envelope to help connect your face to your generosity.  So what to do?  Though cash is preferred, you could combat the sticky fingers risk by writing a check and leave it with the super. And consider these suggestions offered on StreetEasy:

  • Hunt down each and every staff member personally, even if it takes you until the New Year.
  • Hold “tipping hours” in your apartment: Leave a note to all staff with the doorman saying “Please stop by at (day/time).”
  • If your building has an online communication system that tracks deliveries, like Building Link, log in each individual envelope and ask for an email notification when the envelopes are picked up.  
  • Leave it with the super. Then, when you do see those staff members, say: ‘I would have liked to give you my holiday greeting in person, but I didn't see you so I left it with the super.’ If your super is honest, you'll know by the porter's repsonse.

 

Teri Rogers Headshot - Floral

Teri Karush Rogers

Founder & Publisher

Founder and publisher Teri Karush Rogers launched Brick Underground in 2009. As a freelance journalist, she had previously covered New York City real estate for The New York Times. Teri has been featured as an expert on New York City residential real estate by The New York Times, New York Daily News, amNew York, NBC Nightly News, The Real Deal, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, and NY1 News, among others. Teri earned a BA in journalism and a law degree from New York University.

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.

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