With so many residential high rises in New York competing for tenants, prospective residents need to weigh all the factors. Amenities abound in NYC real estate, from concierge services and pools to multi-story courtyards with breathtaking river views. But while trends and features in urban living come and go, one figure remains stalwart and sure. That figure, of course, is the doorman. Ubiquitous in films and tv shows about New York, uniformed and steady, the doorman is the embodiment of classic New York luxury.
While some of the smaller, newer buildings are opting for virtual doormen, iconic A-list towers retain these service sector employees for both the service they provide and the appearance of opulence they give. If you didn’t grow up in the metropolis, or are perhaps moving on up, you might be unsure as to what your relationship with your building’s doorman is all about.
The job of the doorman is pretty straight forward. For starters, they open the door, for both residents and visitors. They screen guests and delivery people, checking with residents before letting anyone with a parcel to bring wander up to your apartment. They accept packages, too, when you’re not at home, and many newer residences have refrigeration services to store your food deliveries until you get home to pick them up.
According to doorman tell-alls and memoirs, doormen have been asked to do all sorts of things, from walking dogs and watering plants, to checking in on elderly residents and watching children. But for the resident looking to live in a building with a little extra buffer between you and the outside world, what does a doorman mean to you, and what, exactly, is your relationship with this person who you encounter at least twice daily?
If you’ve never lived in a doorman building before, be prepared for someone who knows what you’re up to. A doorman knows what time you leave in the morning, when you get home, who you bring home with you, and how long they stay. They know your guilty pleasure midnight Seamless orders and how often you Rent the Runway. They know how often you really get in that early morning run, and they know just how bratty your kids really are. Despite all that intel, they are discreet, prudent, and judicious, and don’t divulge residential secrets.
How do you find the doorman building that’s best for you? There are a vast number of online realty resources, many of which are New York specific. How do you separate those that are right for you, from those that are trying to sell you on apartments and lifestyles that are both expensive and not your vibe? A good place to start is a unique realty site like gohomeny.com. With reviews of buildings and their amenities from the residents who live there, you can get a sense of which doorman buildings fit your personality.
Are you the kind of person who wants to say ‘hi’ twice a day or do you ignore them completely? The choice is yours, but the kind of service you receive is up to them. Despite our preferences to pass through our days ignoring everyone but those who pop up on our phone feeds, saying hi to your doorman doesn’t have to be fraught with anxiety. A simple smile and a quick hi is all it takes to be courteous to the person who opens your door, rain or shine, and helps you get those packages to the elevator. That said, if you’re into a friendly chat, that too can be well-received, as doormen only do their jobs better the more they know the residents in the building that they serve.
While custom dictates that doormen and building staff ought to be tipped around the holidays as a show of your appreciation, you don’t have to go overboard. Tip what makes you comfortable, as a sign of your gratitude for the work they put in throughout the year. Check in with neighbors or colleagues to see what they tend to give. These are not rude questions, but help everyone know whether they are on the mark or woefully stray from it.
Remember that your residence is a place of work, and treat your doorman as respectfully as you would like to be treated at your workplace. Treat your doorman the way you would treat any worker in the service industry, with courtesy and respect, and appreciation for the work they do that evens the rough edges of life in this great metropolis.
