Holiday Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip Your Security, Uber, Security, and Other Employees (2023)

With the pandemic practically in the rear-view mirror, thanks and praise for essential workers seem to have been forgotten. But the apartment building team now serves as a de facto receptionist, handling exponentially more packages and grocery deliveries, and overseeing vacant apartments for New Yorkers who have since traded their primary residence for vacation homes in this new job. was native.

To help you calibrate tips (and yes, adjust them for inflation), we've updated our annual holiday tipping guide and added our recommendations on how exactly you should allocate your bounty. And you can see if your tips generally match those of your neighbors by taking themBrick Underground's annual two-click poll.

[Editor's Note: This guide has been updated for 2022.A previous version of this publication was published in November. We present it again as part of our winterthe best of brickWeek.]

Do I have to tip?

NO. Tipping employees on vacation is a habit, not an obligation, but you'll be in the minority if you don't. Many construction workers tell us they treat non-dumpers the same way they treat drinkers, just as many others admit to showing non-dumpers less favors and smiles, or subtly encouraging them to "pay over the limit." , Top. for each additional service provided by the team.

(See more perspectives"What happens to bad tips?"j"Are Christmas Tips Really Necessary?")

How much should I tip the building staff?

The exact amount depends on the size of your building (the bigger the staff, the smaller the individual tips), the quality of service, the seniority of the staff, how long you've lived there, whether you own it or rent it (more on that below) . ), your personal chemistry, your financial circumstances, and whether you're frugal, generous, or somewhere in between.

Here's a general structure that you can use as you see fit:

• Resident Super Manager: $150 to $300 on average; Wide range from $100 to $500
• Doorman and/or concierge (the latter handles more personal requests, such as queuing for an emergency dog ​​walker): $75 to $200 on average; Wide range from $50 to $1,000
• Janitors, handymen, and handymen: $25 to $50 on average; Wide range from $20 to $100
• Garage assistant: $25 to $75 on average; Wide range from $20 to $100

2022 was a difficult year due to inflation. Shall I give some more?

There is no doubt that it will rise, especially as inflation hit a 40-year high this summergroceries, gas and rent.

If you need more services this year, you really should increase your tip.Worried about committing to a larger amount in the future? Include a note expressing your appreciation for something special that the team helped you with and that you want to recognize as going beyond their usual duties. This should make it clear that your intention is to offer a bonus and not a raise.

How much budget should I allocate to all employees in the building?

A lot depends on the size of your team and the other factors mentioned above, but it can be useful to review the resultsChristmas Tips 2021 Poll by Brick Underground,completed by over 1,800 New Yorkers to see what others are doing (below).

My building's "bouncers" are actually security guards who don't do much more than sit there. How much should I tip them?

Some security guards just sit around because they don't have anything else to do, while others work just as hard as the bouncers. In the first case, it's okay to tip lightly, so use common sense.

One of my goalkeepers is an idiot and I never see my goalkeeper. Do I have to tip them?

Rather than doing what could be interpreted as an insult by withholding a tip entirely, many residents in this position at the lower end of the scale tip their tip. You can withhold a tip and then forget it entirely, but building staff are unlikely to forget your gesture -- or lack thereof.

A Brick UndergroundNaughty vs. Cool Christmas,65% of nearly 600 voters with "bad" bouncers said they still plan on tipping them, generally in the $25 to $50 per person range. When it comes to overdue pensions, only 49 percent of the 455 respondents plan to give them some extra money. Those that did were on the lower end of the $25 to $100 range.

Do I tip the new bouncer the same as the one who has been here for 20 years?

Newer porters in their first years of service usually receive smaller tips. For example, a first-year goaltender earns half what a senior goaltender earns. Again, it's okay to use your common sense.

Is it okay to tip my favorite bouncer more than the others?

It's okay to have favorites, e.g. For example, tipping some bouncers better than others based on how helpful they are to you. Just try to keep everyone's tips within acceptable limits.

Does the tip amount have to match the rent or how many people live in my apartment?

Tipping is (theoretically) about rewarding service, not the size of your home or how much you pay for it. If you're a family that needs a lot of help at the door getting the kids together and helping with the stroller, or someone who works from home and gets a lot of deliveries or visits, you're likely to get more help from the team than only one person. If you travel a lot for work and don't order a lot online, you should tip accordingly.

I've had a financial setback and can't pay as much as last year. What should I do?

Accustomed to receiving light tips from seniors on fixed incomes, employees are generally "forgivable", although some workers say they will not provide additional services to these residents for free.

When it comes to job loss, divorce, and other life challenges, many gatekeepers tell us that when they receive a small amount, especially from someone who usually tips well, they automatically attribute it to financial problems and say they don't don't need it said. . , "I wish I could do more!" Of course, that doesn't work when you're still making your annual trip to St. Barts and dancing with Prada grocery bags. And if you frequently ask for favors, the excuse for not being able to pay the bills can eventually dry up.

My building has oneflip pool. Do I need additional individual advice?

Togetherstay pool,Residents contribute as much as they want to the pool, which is then divided by seniority and full-time or part-time status. The anonymity of the process means renters feel like they're getting the same treatment from staff, with no special favors for heavy dumpers. But in practice, in many properties with pools, owners continue to tip individually; at least for the employees who see it the most.

Should tenants tip as much as landlords?

tenants as a grouptend to tip lesscondominiums and cooperatives.The reasons have a lot to do with rental living; For example, a tenant who hasn't lived in a building for a long time and doesn't know the staff well is unlikely to leave a large tip.

Some renters also believe that vacation titles are the responsibility of the landlord. With so much investment in construction, coop and condo owners have a greater interest in how the building is maintained.

Income also plays a role. Many renters may be at an earlier stage in their careers and earning power as landlords. Many tenants simply have less money for tips. Additionally, first-time renters who are also first-time New Yorkers may not be familiar with the custom of holiday tipping.

Should I tip my landlord or management company?

You're probably thinking, "What? Isn't the rent enough?!” Seriously, there are times when a gift, if not a tip, makes sense. If you have a close relationship with your family owner, a nice bottle of wine is a nice touch. Likewise, if you're calling the management company every other day to see if there's a larger apartment to accommodate your growing family, it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep something in mind, in a good way.

How much should I tip non-construction workers?

• Housekeeper: One to two week pay.
• Housekeeping: Tip 15 to 20 percent year-round, as part of your income goes towards housekeeping. If the same staff always cleans your apartment, a holiday tip (one week's wages) would be very welcome.
• Full time nanny: Minimum wage for a week or two if you can afford it. Or a week's pay and a week's holiday.
• Occasional employed regular nanny: Consider $25-$50 in cash or a gift card
• Regular dog walker: one week's pay
• UPS Delivery: Since UPS assigns drivers to specific addresses, $25-$50 if you have many packages delivered. More if you have a lot of business supplies.
• Postman: By law, postmen cannot accept cash or other items over $20. In fact, some (but not most) residents tip in the $25 to $50 range, especially if they receive a lot of deliveries or a lot of mail that requires signatures.

You don't have to tip the property manager, contractor (plumber, electrician), or realtor.

What's the best time to tip a holiday?

Bouncers collect holiday tips from December to February, but most of the holiday money is handed out in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

However, this is not necessarily what employees prefer. Many carriers tell us that early December is best because it helps with Christmas shopping. Some say they prefer to spread out tips to reduce the temptation to spend them all at once.

Do I have to tip on vacation if I tip all year round?

Residents who tip perks year-round tend to be lighter at the end of the year, at least for employees who receive those tips a la carte.

Do I have to tip a whole year if I just moved?

It's okay to prorate your tips, unless you didn't tip for services rendered in connection with the move itself.

Are checks ok or do I have to give cash?

Cash is preferred, but as a precaution against sticky fingers, make sure you don't give your tip to a supermarket or other member of staff to pass on to you. (Note: Most of the security guards we spoke to would rather pick up tips directly than go to the grocery store or another security guard.)

Can Venmo tip my bouncer?

Whether you can use Venmo, yes! It's fast, convenient and contactless. Most New Yorkers use it, so stick with the program.

Ideally, a building would share staff usernames so the tips are electronic, but if that's not the case for you, you'll need to find the bouncer in the app by searching for their name. And if you don't see it, just ask. They will appreciate it if you make sure your gift gets to them.

Make sure to keep the transaction "private" or between you and the recipient and not public to avoid team members comparing your picks.

Should I enclose a card or note?

If tipping cash instead of an application, a plain white envelope is fine.No expensive cards required. Most people write short, sweet notes ("Thank you for your help this year" or "We love seeing your smile"), and that's totally fine, although some gatekeepers tell us they appreciate a personal note that explains exactly what they do. appreciate your service more.

Are groceries or gifts an acceptable substitute for cash?

They're appreciated, but until colleges start accepting cookies for tuition or Con Ed for utility bills, gifts are no substitute for cash.

How do I tip team members I rarely see?

You can ask the supermarket or another employee to hand over your envelopes, but it's best to write a check instead of cash to reduce the chance of theft. Include a family photo if you don't think the recipient will be able to put your name on your face.

Do employees let each other know how much tip they receive?

Some do, so assume that to be safe. Also,Please note that some team memberskeep listsCompare your tip this year to previous years. You must do the same to ensure you are not giving less than before.

Should I increase the tip every year to keep up with inflation?

They don't have to be as strict, but an increase every two or three years would certainly be desirable and would be considered.

Are tips tax deductible?

If you run a business from home, you can claim a small deduction of up to $25 per employee, which will be categorized as a "business gift" on your tax return

Brett Perkins, CPA, owner of Perkins CPA, explains the rules ofthe IRS on corporate gifts:

• You may not deduct more than $25 from the cost of business gifts that you give, directly or indirectly, to any person during your tax year. If you and your spouse give gifts to the same person, you will both be treated as a single taxpayer.
• Any item that could be considered a gift or hospitality is generally considered hospitality and cannot be deducted.
• You must have records showing the business purpose of the gift and details of the amount spent.

It might seem like a small amount, but Perkins says New Yorkers accept these deductions. In some cases theMove gifts to "Marketing or Promotions" if it's a business function. There is no restriction for these items.

The rules are clear and easy to follow, he says, but they're outdated.

"I think they need to be checked?Absolutely! The $25 limit no longer makes sense today. They should have been adjusted for inflation,” he says.

do you have to laugh Read how incredibly easy it was to tip a New Yorker for Christmas thanks to amysterious pile of moneyfound in her apartment.