Manhattan: Tipping the Super?

I’m just guessing, but maybe $30ish? You could also get him a gift card to a nice restaurant.

With someone like that; the best Xmas present you can give him is not to report his ass.
It might be the holidays but he does not deserve a present, you would be better off donating the gift money to a kid’s charity.

I’m not sure I understand, why would you reward someone for behaving like that? I understand it’s the holidays, but I don’t think that makes it alright.

@Parrappa: Sometimes, giving someone a gift can knock them back into being a sensible person. I gave my mailman who routinely mixed up my mail with neighbors a homemade carrot cake one year.

Guess who stopped having to deal with their bullshit neighbors for their packages?

I don’t live in Manhattan, but I have worked as a building manager. I don’t think anyone expects cash. Give him cookies or a Starbucks gift card.

I would think in NYC, supers do expect cash. The question is how much and what statement you want to make.

I would give them about $50 bucks this year. If however he continues to be a douche next year, than give him squat. He might work harder if he feels he may be rewarded more next year or at least he may feel that you do appreciate the little he does and may warm up to you and give you preference when you have a problem he needs to fix.

Christmas tips for building employees in New York City are not simply rewards for great service in the past. They are also guarantees for some type of decent service in the future. This may not sound right but that is how the system works, or worked when I lived in an apartment in Manhattan and then in one in Westchester.

I can’t tell you what you should tip the guy but giving him NO tip is better than an insufficient tip. Ask your neighbors: do they get the same results from the super as you do or do they get better responses? If they get a better attitude, find out their “contribution” in the prior year.

Now while many people will get ticked that my advice condones some sort of blackmail or coercion, that is the way it worked. The super or other building staff must do their jobs, that is a given. But there are different levels of service doled out by these guys and it helps to be on the good side of the staff.

The super will remember a decent Christmas tip – or being stiffed – for the entire following year.

Again, this was the way it worked and I doubt that this has changed.

Thanks everyone. I guess part of the reason he’s unhelpful is because he doesn’t really speak English, so it’s difficult to communicate with him. That being said, he DOES do a lot of the work to keep the building running that I wouldn’t do. And I’m sure, based on what I know of the landlord, that he isn’t paid too well. So ultimately I decided on a $30 cash gift because I figured he could use cash more than a gift card right now. Thanks again!