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Hi everyone! I know its off topic and not design related but I'm looking for advice on holiday tipping... what are we giving doormen/porters/super etc. I've got 4 doormen, 2 porters, and a super in my small UES coop. I live alone, moved in in Sept and don't really require much help... what would you give?

NY Magazine's issue this week has a guide. Alson saw one recelty on either curbed or gothamist.

'recently' -- ugh, cold is really messing up my spelling!

Hey these things seem like a good deal. Nothing for me here, but maybe for someone else.

http://www.thecompanystore.com/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=7550

is tipping common to NYC only, or do Canadians do it too? My family immigrated here 10 years ago - and I never heard of tipping the super until this website (well, that applies to a lot of other things too :) ).

Anyone from Canada?

Olya,

Here in Canada we tip 15% at bars and restaurants, it's not obligatory but if you've received good service it's generally expected.

A grey area is tipping those in the service industry. My hairdresser rocks and I know she doesn't make a huge hourly salary so I always tip her. I'll usually tip cab drivers as well. But where do you stop??? I figure it's good karma and it brightens people's day to know you appreciate what they're doing for you.

That's my two cents and it's highly influenced by the fact that I used to be a career waitress/bartender.

Does anyone have any experience with Z Gallerie furniture? I like one of the beds on their website, but I'm nervous about whether they have the "West Elm" problem.

I've just posted photos of the lobby where I work, which we're in the process of refurbishing. We got our reupholstered couch back today, which makes it all look very promising--link is in my name.

Olya: in our building, rather than people individually tipping the managers (live in manager/caretaker/super) a collection is taken, and they are given a gift of money at our Christmas party. Other places I've lived haven't done this, but most haven't had a live-in manager, either.

Hi, Chloe,

See the link in my name to Emily Post's general tipping guidelines and note that she says amounts are usually higher in larger cities.

My own experience tells me that tipping is wise with building personnel, as you never know when you'll need a favor or some help.

L

Olya,
I don't know where you are in Canada, but I have found that tipping is more common and more generous in Montreal than in Toronto. Ask a local to find out the local custom.

Are the rules on holiday tipping any different for students living in school housing? It's so funny to encounter this thread not ten minutes after puzzling over the same question with my roommate. :) We live in Columbia grad school housing - it's a regular apartment building that the school has bought and leased to students, so it's not a dorm. There are a few non-student residents as well; people who had already been living in the building when Columbia purchased it.

We have a handyman in addition to four doormen who work in shifts. Everyone is extremely kind and helpful, but even $50 * 5 = $250 would totally break my student budget. (That's like a month's worth of food for me...) Are expectations for students living in school housing different from those for people in regular NYC apartments?

Hmm, see - the bars/restaurants/taxis/hairdresser - yes, I know - and tip - the proper amounts.

I lived in a large scale apartment building for a few years, no tips there. I am not sure either what's the difference between a building manager and super - as far as I know, a super always lives on premises?

We're in Toronto. And thanks for the all the replies, guys! :-)

Lux-

There is only one way to find out if the Z Gallerie beds have the "West Elm" problem! ;)

I do have a couple of things from Z Gallerie, but they aren't "furniture". I have a big mirror which is extremely sturdy, and a folding screen which is acceptable quality.

The West Elm beds don't even have "the West Elm" problem anymore. But anywho...

You need to check the manufacturer, not the retailer, to really verify quality. See if there are any markings (like a Baronet logo) anywhere on the piece(s) you are interested in, then research the manufacturer. Or ask about the manufacturer's rep on another Open Thread.

This may be late to chime in, but speaking of Baronet... Anyone have experience with their beds? We're looking at a couple of their models, but I'm wondering how they rate quality-wise.