How much do you tip your building super?

I'd say the range is from a minimum of $30 to a maximum of $100 - and it all depends on what the super had provided you in services. If nothing outside of just being the live-in super, than use the lower range - but if your super has unclogged your toilet, fixed a leak, repaired the boiler, etc. than threw those extra bucks his or her way.

scarlett wrote: Since I just moved in, I wasn't planning on tipping the landlord this year especially cnsidering it has taken weeks to accomplish things that should have been done before I moved in.

BUT for next year, do I tip the LL?

You don't have to tip your landlord ever. But it would be wise to tip your super this year even if you just moved in. Maybe not as much as if you'd been there the whole year, but at least an acknowledgement that you appreciate him/her. You really want your super to be on your side.

DrabRabbit wrote: My grandfather tipped a bottle of nice liquor. A well aged scotch or a good brandy. I always thought it was classy.

Should find out if they're in AA first, I guess.

Or find out their other cravings/habits... a coffee gift basket, gourmet cookies, etc... Things don't have to be super expensive to be appreciated.

Livetotravel wrote: fixed a leak

Is this in a rental? I mean, I'm all for tipping but if the heating pipe burst in my apartment cause it's old and the super fixed it, I'm supposed to be grateful and pay money out of my pocket because my landlord runs a slum?

I'm torn on tipping supers, mostly for the above reason and ones like it.

Oh, I get it. It's just a shitty system. For the amount of rent paid in this town.

Innocent X wrote: [quote=Livetotravel] fixed a leak

Is this in a rental? I mean, I'm all for tipping but if the heating pipe burst in my apartment cause it's old and the super fixed it, I'm supposed to be grateful and pay money out of my pocket because my landlord runs a slum?

I'm torn on tipping supers, mostly for the above reason and ones like it.

I hear you, but often the super has little control over the purse strings that can transform a slum into a livable home. Your super might be begging your landlord to buy a new plumbing system and your landlord might be a cheap jerk. If your super is helpful and nice, it's classy to give a holiday tip -- only one within your budget though.

What about for a non-live-in super? Is the scale different?

leet wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=Innocent X][quote=Livetotravel] fixed a leak

Is this in a rental? I mean, I'm all for tipping but if the heating pipe burst in my apartment cause it's old and the super fixed it, I'm supposed to be grateful and pay money out of my pocket because my landlord runs a slum?

I'm torn on tipping supers, mostly for the above reason and ones like it.
Maybe, but the super doesn't own the building. And if in your example, this problem building has several apartments with leaky pipes, which do you think the super is going to fix first?

So the "tip" is more like a bribe, or like a payment in exchange for special favors? But then you'd have to pay more than the other three people with leaky pipes for this to work in your favor.

I have been making my living off tips for 11 years now so from my perspective it is less of a bribe and more like entering into an agreement; "If you take care of me, I'll take care of you." Good tipping and nice gestures are noticed and appreciated and the recipient will usually put a little more effort out so the relationship can continue.

sweet tea wrote: don't get me wrong, i love my super.

but aren't most (or only "many"?) supers unionized employees with union benefit packages, living in free or heavily subsidized apartments with potentially subsidized utilities?

seems pretty different from a waiter legally making less than minimum wage.

i get it that tipping is how it's done; it just seems crazy to me.

Hey, quit hating on Schneider!

My building is quite small - just me and the landlord and his whole family at this point. The landlord has fixed things that needed to be done and there is no super in addition to him. Do I still have to tip him? I would do a bottle of wine or something, but they don't even celebrate a holiday this time of year and I am pretty sure they don't drink. Any ideas?

Carnivore wrote: [quote=sweet tea]don't get me wrong, i love my super.

but aren't most (or only "many"?) supers unionized employees with union benefit packages, living in free or heavily subsidized apartments with potentially subsidized utilities?

seems pretty different from a waiter legally making less than minimum wage.

i get it that tipping is how it's done; it just seems crazy to me.

Hey, quit hating on Schneider!



OMG look at those bellbottoms. Was there EVER a time in real life when building supers wore pants like those? Disco super.

Bump, seems like the same stuff comes up every year.

Good thing I'm cute!!!!!! Dang, I am so redundant. Shutting up now.

sweet tea wrote: don't get me wrong, i love my super.

but aren't most (or only "many"?) supers unionized employees with union benefit packages, living in free or heavily subsidized apartments with potentially subsidized utilities?

seems pretty different from a waiter legally making less than minimum wage.

i get it that tipping is how it's done; it just seems crazy to me.

Not most or even many are unionized. I honestly don't know the numbers but I know a few supers in PS and have also worked as one in PS and Soho. I never met a union super or even knew of one in those neighborhoods. There are probably a few but outside of those obvious upper Manhattan golden pavilions they are few and far between.