What Do NYC Doormen Do?
New York doormen are one of those stereotypical characters that you find in almost any New York-inspired film. A New York doorman is precisely that- a doorman to either a hotel or a residential building. There is something very traditional about the doorman career; it has been around for more than 150 years. NYC doormen also have a reputation for being the building’s residents’ therapists and having a unique touch regarding active listening.
But, besides the whimsical side of a New York doorman, they have a more practical side to their role too. Being a doorman to a building means that the building gets 24/7 security. They maintain access control of the building, leaving residents to go about their day carefree. Doormen in New York also hold a set of keys to each resident’s home, which means that there is always a spare set of keys available if they get lost.
In addition, NYC doormen can accept mail and parcels for their residents. Basically, a New York doorman is the guardian angel of the building, the keeper of the keys. Doormen are required to have a welcoming personality and need to build trusting relationships with the residents of the building.
Are There Still Doormen in NYC?
So, it may seem too good to be true that New York doormen are still out there; however, they are still very much a part of the city’s vibrant culture. In fact, they are expanding their territories and have stretched as far as Downtown Brooklyn.
How Much to Tip a New York Doorman?
Tipping a doorman in NYC can be a tricky thing. You do not want to under-tip or tip too much for fear of overstepping boundaries. Tipping doormen in NYC is a charming way of thanking them for everything they do for their residents and the building. Doormen are essentially the heart of the building. Tipping your doorman during Christmas time would be especially appreciated, too. The general rule of thumb is that you would tip a New York doorman between $25 and $75 at a time.
How Much Do New York Doormen Make?
There is quite a big gap between the minimal amount and the highest amount a doorman in NYC can make as a salary. This would also very much depend on the area in which doormen work. The bracket in which an NYC doorman could find themselves is between $19,500 and $70,000 per year. The average salary of an NYC doorman is $56,000 a year. So, if you are thinking of becoming a doorman in NYC, then you can rest assured that you would be able to make a decent living off this career path.
Are Doorman Buildings Safer in New York?
As mentioned earlier, living in a building with a doorman provides an extra layer of security to the building. Because doormen in NYC are extremely familiar with the residents of the building, they will quickly notice if something is not how it should be. Furthermore, if you are someone who works late or even early, you would delight in the fact that a doorman is waiting for you to arrive home safely. So, I think it is safe to say that living in a building with a New York doorman is safer and provides more peace of mind.
So, What are the Benefits of Living in a Doorman Building?
Just as with anything in life, there are pros and cons to living in a doorman building. Each person will have their own opinion regarding this matter; however, we will go through a few pros and cons of living in a New York doorman building.
Pros:
Safety:
We mentioned earlier that having a doorman in your building adds an extra element of safety to your day. Your NYC doorman will be there 24/7 and will be there to keep a watchful eye on any strange activity that may take place in a busy city such as New York.
Luxury:
Chivalry will be something that you experience on a daily basis when living in a doorman building. Having someone open the door for you every time you enter the building will become a part of your routine. This is often seen as living luxuriously.
Furthermore, if your NYC doorman is also a concierge, you will benefit from more than a door being opened for you on a daily basis.
Deliveries:
If you are waiting for a special delivery or delivery that is of high value and cannot be missed, living in a doorman building will definitely benefit you. Your gracious doorman will accept all deliveries, ensuring you never have to worry about missing a delivery again.
Assistance:
Living in a busy city such as New York, where one does not always have the luxury of space and being able to park one’s car easily, means there will always be a help. Your faithful NYC doorman will take note of activities you need the most help with, which you may not have access to if you live on your own.
A Listening Ear:
If you have any worries or concerns, then having a doorman is an excellent way of being able to voice them. Because they are available 24/7, you have someone who may be able to help with any queries you may have or if something drastic has happened and you need help.
Cons:
As glamorous as this may seem, there are a few cons to living in a building with a New York doorman.Privacy:
This con may be subject to personal preference, but some residents may feel as though living in a doorman building creates an environment where there is a lack of privacy. As you can imagine, a doorman will be privy to much of what takes place within the building.
Cost:
Having an NYC doorman means that residents will need to pay extra rent to cover the costs. After all, a doorman needs to make a living, too, and will need to get their salary from somewhere. This is where you will need to decide how much you personally benefit from living in a doorman building.
Gossip and Small Talk:
As per human nature, you will most likely find that all of the doormen speak amongst themselves regarding the happenings that have taken place. If you are someone who may be sensitive to this, then you may want to avoid a doorman building.
Furthermore, depending on your personality, you may not want to make small talk with your doorman after a tiring day in the office. But again, this is entirely dependent on personal preference and may actually be a massive pro for some.
Tips:
The general etiquette with living in a doorman building is that you occasionally tip them. Like when you go to a restaurant, you tip your doorman for all the good they bring to your life. Holiday tipping is widespread when living in a doorman building.
Now again, this may belong within the pros list, but some people may not actually be able to afford to tip their doorman. Depending on your personal circumstances will determine your thoughts on this.
Doormen in New York
So, we have pretty much delved deep into the life of a doorman in New York. Besides all the cons of living in doorman buildings, there are many benefits too. You will essentially find yourself living in a full-service building where you have instant access to help; you do not need to wait days on end for your landlord to contact you back if there is an issue. Living in a building with a full-time doorman means that you have peace of mind over returning home late or if you have forgotten to lock your apartment door. Similarly, if you have lost your keys, you have instant access to a new pair. We also mentioned earlier that having a doorman at the building’s front door means that you never have to worry again about missing an important delivery. This is only, of course, if your doorman also acts as a concierge. This means that you will have someone manning the front desk at all times, which is equally as convenient.
Stratton Amenities:
Within Stratton Amenities, we have many different services for a resident’s building, including a Front Desk Concierge service. This service goes hand-in-hand with the duties of a doorman in New York, which means that your building could provide your residents with all of these personalized services that have been mentioned in the article. Being able to offer a front desk concierge service with Stratton Amenities means that your residents will have access to the best service around. This means that they will have access to full-time support should they need it. Real estate in New York City is unique, and this is primarily due to the nature of the excellent Big Apple. Ensure that your residents have access to all of these exceptional front desk concierge services with Stratton Amenities.