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Wow, that's actually a tremendous idea. A tip of the cap to you. Also include a handwritten note stating you've been asking for the paper in the foyer, so the picture has some perspective.

What do people tip their dog walker? I typically tip her one additional week of dog walking.

The Times deliverer included a tip card last week. I'm tempted to return it to him with only a photo of my paper sitting in the middle of the sidewalk. I lost 5 papers in the 2 weeks before the card! Is that worse than no response at all? There's a clear note on my file to deliver it inside the foyer, that happens only occasionally. I've given up complaining to them.

I live in a medium size doorman building, and I give the super $100, the doorman that I see the most, does the most for me, $100, and the rest $50. The maintenace guys that collect the garbage, etc get $25. It adds up each year, but when I have an issue throughout the year the super is always there..

The building is run by a managment company, I have seen any collection for the staff being done.

My landlord collects a fund for the building's employees, signs the card with the names of everyone who contributed, and distributes the money in accordance with the nature of the work the employees perform. This makes life much easier.

Usually, in larger buildings, there is a holiday pool that every resident chips in money to disperse amongst the building staff. In lieu of this, i guess it's up to you how much you want to give.

For me, on top of the holiday pool I tip 200 for the main super and 50 for everyone else. These guys do things day-in day-out to keep the building pristine and in great condition. I love returning home and am always impressed with how clean the stairwells, recycling room, and parking garage are. All my friends who visit are equally impressed with the excellent condition of the building in which I live in.

The service i get is excellent and is far cheaper than what I had to pay in chelsea for inferior or next-to-nothing crappy insolent service. I'd say my current super and staff deserve every tip they get.

What about in an all rental building.
The one I live in probably has a staff of 10 to 12 people

I dont think I can tip 12 people adequatly, I also have never seen more then half of them.

Do you think tipping some is better or worse then tipping none?

I think there's a distinction between the traditional doorman - those guys in a snazzy uniform and cap you see standing outside buildings in Manhattan - and a building lobby attendant/concierge who sits behind a desk and signs for packages and announces visitors (more common on this side of the river). I always thought it was over the top to have someone standing in front of the building in godawful weather opening doors. I definitely do tip the lobby attendant who signs for a couple of packages a month for me - but I don't think the job is as physically demanding or as dirty as the super's, so I think $20-$30 suffices. But I could be way off mark as this is the first time living in a full-service building. Am I being stingy?

With all the complaints about failed package deliveries from people who live in doorman-free buildings, the holiday tips seem worth it.

Doormen do A LOT more than open doors. They collect your packages, your mail when on vakay, announce guests, back you up of a shady vendor/repair person is giving you sh*t, provide security, keep the lobby and grounds looking immaculate. The extra $250 on top of maintenance is well worth it to me. Just know what you're getting into. If you think you think it's not worth it, or too extravagent, don't move into a building like that.

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and...... give till it feels good

Dont forget about the mail carriers, UPS and Fedex if that applies.
Falalalala

Thanks to everyone for their replies. It sounds like $50-$75 is a fair tip for a super in JC. From asking around, I gather that handymen and porters should get roughly half the tip amount that the super got. And I suppose anyone I don't like gets ravioli . I don't have any doormen in my building, thank goodness, because they're supposed to be tipped as much as the super. I've always wondered why so many NYC buildings have doormen - it seems like such an extravagant expense. I can open my own door, thank you very much. Hope everyone has a great holiday!

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It sounds like you have around the clock shifts so more to tip I guess. $500 a year seems like a lot to shell out for the same job being done especially on top of maintenance fees.

This is our first holiday in a staffed building.There are 5 staff: 3 door people, a porter, a super. We gave each $50. It was much appreciated. In fact, I got the distinct sense from their reactions we may've overtipped compared to our neighbors. Ah well. I would and will do it again.

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1010wins NYC tipping piece

(hey how much do you tip for posting good information links?)

I bet you are a good tipper so here is another link...

USA Today tipping piece

I asked my neighbors about tipping our super a couple of years ago and the concensus was $50 so that's what I give him. He seems very appreciative.

I live in a building with 5 doormen, a super, security, landscapers, porters etc. It seems like the list never ends (and they actually send a list). I typically tip only the doormen since I just can't afford more and I tip them $20 - $25 each and give them some cookies or wine.

One year I just gave wine and a card and one of the doormen rang my bell to make sure there was no money in the card. Awkward!!!

just get them some ravioli or something

I would take in account of how many people are on your tip list. Usually a good rule of thumb is a dollar a week tip so $50 dollars would be a nice gift of appreciation. Anything more than that should depend on how you feel about the person. Remember it's the thought that counts. Merry Christmas.

From what I've heard in my building from my neighbors the range is anywhere between $25 to $75. Honestly, you should just tip what you think is fair and what you can afford.

Just wanted to get some idea from people what the going rate is for tipping building supers, handymen and porters. I get the sense that tips in JC buildings aren't as exorbitant as in Manhattan, but I hear varying amounts. I really can't afford to tip $100+ apiece, which is typical for Manhattan buildings, but I don't want to stiff the staff either.