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haha · 12-23-2009, 04:42 PM

I like the way my buildiing is maintained and run. Is $50 enough? That would be a bit less than 5% of my monthly rent.

Ha

smjsl · 12-23-2009, 05:02 PM

I would have thought "tipping" them with your rent every month and being a model tenant is more than enough... (plus, you can always express your gratitude in words - I think that would be quite appreciated)

Orchidflower · 12-23-2009, 06:24 PM

My opinion is that if you are happy with his service--and particularly if he has done something extra for you--he would be thrilled to receive some small token of appreciation (like we all do for our hard work). I think a card and a small amount of money ($20-50) is more than appropriate IMHO.
If the guy owns the building then I'd give nothing. If he is the super then I probably would myself.

6 years ago when I lived for year in the Gold Coast in Chicago I gave all the doormen and garage workers $20 each, but was disappointed to find out not everyone did it by far. Too bad since they really worked so hard for all of us.
I think good service should be rewarded, and don't think these folks don't remember you for it, too, cause they do.

W2R · 12-23-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha

I like the way my buildiing is maintained and run. Is $50 enough? That would be a bit less than 5% of my monthly rent.

In places where I have lived, tipping the apartment manager was not so usual as to be expected. If that is true in your case, then that gives you a lot more latitude. (I expect this is the case, because if tipping is expected then you probably already knew about it and how much.)

So, if tipping is not expected, then if you want to tip $50 then I think that is great that you can tip that much and want to do so. Go right ahead! We give you permission if you need it. I think Orchidflower's idea of putting it in a card is a nice touch.

CCdaCE · 12-23-2009, 07:59 PM

That's what we tip the daycare lady. $50 per kid. Makes me feel cheap because our kids are more important that where we live, but I don't think other people tip at all. Then again, I've never asked her. Obviously, we feel she's providing a tremendous service to us, and if you feel the apt. mgr. is providing a wonderful service, same thing there. $50 is about 12%, for us, though. I guess, for me, it would depend on how much interaction you've had with the manager, and how much was his/her doing in keepin' the place runnin' smoothly.

-CC

Bestwifeever · 12-23-2009, 10:28 PM

I think $50 is a very nice gift for your apartment manager and I'm sure it will be appreciated.

haha · 12-24-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever

I think $50 is a very nice gift for your apartment manager and I'm sure it will be appreciated.

I went with $50 for my manager, and $10 for the postman. In nice cards. My manager is very responsive; the postman is just a postman, but at least he doesn't throw my mail in the storm sewer or wad it up before he puts it in my box.

My philosophy of tipping is not very pure. I always tip anyone who flatters me or any woman who flirts with me. After all I am too old to to get much of that on my merits. I also tip anyone if I might be made to feel embarrassed if I don't tip, or anyone who is a position to either help me or hurt me.

I am just not very pure. It is worth a little cash to smooth my path, and I think it often does.

Ha

W2R · 12-25-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha

I went with $50 for my manager, and $10 for the postman. In nice cards. My manager is very responsive; the postman is just a postman, but at least he doesn't throw my mail in the storm sewer or wad it up before he puts it in my box.

Hey, there's a lot to be said for not throwing your mail in the storm sewer or wadding it up before he puts it in your box. At least half the time my mailman delivers mail from one of my neighbors to me, instead of my mail (or, my mail disappears). This has been very common here since Katrina. But I should be glad, I suppose, because after that storm the Post Office wanted to make permanent changes where everyone would have to go to a central mail distribution center rather than having mail delivered to our houses. That way they wouldn't have to have as many mailmen. I think that will be the wave of the future. Needless to say, I have my regular bills paid automatically rather than relying on getting them in the mail each molnth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha

My philosophy of tipping is not very pure. I always tip anyone who flatters me or any woman who flirts with me. After all I am too old to to get much of that on my merits. I also tip anyone if I might be made to feel embarrassed if I don't tip, or anyone who is a position to either help me or hurt me.

I am just not very pure. It is worth a little cash to smooth my path, and I think it often does.

Why not? If someone makes your life happier or easier, I think that is a good (and somewhat pure, in one sense) reason to tip.

Dawg52 · 12-25-2009, 07:28 AM

I think I'm gonna go tip myself with another cup of coffee.

Med's later.

tryan · 12-25-2009, 07:49 AM

$50 is very generous ... you'll be at the top of his list all this coming year! And that will come in handy.

cantlogin · 12-25-2009, 08:10 AM

For this entire year I have done everything for you that I am supposed to. I haven't done anything wrong and I'm certain I haven't offended you in any way.

How much of a tip will you be sending me?

REWahoo · 12-25-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantlogin

How much of a tip will you be sending me?

I'm guessing ha will double what he sent you last year.

Independent · 12-25-2009, 09:13 AM

In a perfect world, tipping would be reserved for extraordinary service.

In the real world, I know that wait staff in restaurants are tipped so routinely that it is part of their base pay, so I always tip there.

I don't live in an apartment. If I did, I would assume that general maint and operation is part of the job. So I'd only tip if this person had done something above and beyond.