We'll be staying in a vacation rental apartment (Hospitality Company) for two weeks. Having never lived in a building with a doorman, I am totally ignorant of correct tipping practices. I'm not talking about special services, just perhaps getting us a cab, that sort of thing.

Do we tip for each incident, or wait until the end of our stay?

Also, has anyone stayed in their Trump Place, River C, apartment? I would appreciate feedback on the company, apartment, etc, even if you stayed in another of their properties.

TIA
Nina

This is rather vague...but just ASK the doorman! He'll either tell you specifically or indicate that it's entirely at your discretion, which means that it's entirely optional - whereupon if he's friendly, informative, helpful, you'd want to tip that person on duty every day, lest there be someone else on duty the day you depart. Even when they demure to "your discretion", those who are helpful are deserving, if you think, of you "appreciation".

If the doorman actually calls you a cab and helps you into it you should tip - $1 is typical. If he just waves at the next cab in line and doesn;t help you in no tip is required.

Thanks nytravler for that info...I am never quite sure what to do...now I know!

One does NOT tip the doorman of a residential building except for once a year (holidays). With hotels, of course, one tips per incident.

If your accommodations are more like a hotel, then tip each time you're assisted. But if it's a residential building, you should definitely wait until the end of your visit.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the 'varied' answers. Yes, this is a residential building. I have of course dealt with hotel doorman, and know when to tip in that situation. I guess that we will wait until the end of our two week stay in the apartment, and then tip him accordingly.

I disagree somewhat about any tip being "required" in any situation.

Tips are never "required"...whereas they may be "customary"..that is, what most people do.

And, frankly, if a doorman were to hail a cab for me I would tip him for it, whether he "helped" me into it or not.

In my experience people who have to ask whether or not to tip have usually never had to work for one themselves.

intrepid1 - it looks like in this case your experience did fail you. Way back when, while in school, I waited tables and depended on my tips.

Because of those lean years, I am now consided a very good tipper. Re-read my post, being in an unfamiliar situation, I was asking WHEN not IF to tip. Your experience, whatever that may be, obviously has taught you to judge people, when you know absolutely nothing about them.

I asked a simple question, isn't that what this board is all about? All I wanted was an answer, not a lecture or a judgement call. Your 20% tip, has now dropped to 5%!

Be aware that residential buildings have doormen on different shifts - some buildings can have three shifts. So if you only see the day doorman, but leave in the evening, tipping at the end of the stay may not be practical. In addition to different shifts, most doormen have a day or two off during the week.

However, the doorman who assists you will know that you are there for a short stay, so I would suggest that if you feel a tip is warranted, you tip when the service is done regardless the hour/shift/day.