Apparently 15 people work in my building (tip question)

[danzasmack]

So because we've all been out of town or lazy we forgot to give the holiday tip to the staff downstairs. I hate most of these people and they are probably the only thing (besides the wind i guess) that I hate about our building. If I am downstairs at 5:15 after work to get a package I usually don't make it upstairs until at least 5:25. Kind of ridiculous. Plus one guy tried to set us up with a cleaning service, promising great prices, but we ended up paying much more than we wanted/was promised.

So they give out a card that has the "Staff" on it. This card says that we have the following:

Superintendent (1)
Handymen (2)
Concierge (1)
Doormen (4)
Porters (7)

Speaking to a friend last night, we were told to give the super $50 and the doormen $30 each. What about the rest of these guys?

There is a box downstairs where I think i put a separate envelope for each person I tip.

Thanks guys.

EDIT: I live in a nice neighborhood in NYC.

[NickMPK]

How many people live in your building? And what does "porter" mean in this context? I always thought a porter was a the guy in a hotel who took your baggage.

[danzasmack]

The building is 42 stories I think.

I'm gonna be honest I don't really know what porter means. I have never seen more than 2 guys at the front desk, and it's almost always just one.

[turnipmonster]

in my building the porters are the guys that clean and do the trash and stuff.

[turnipmonster]

btw, you should def tip these guys unless they have really done something terribly wrong to you. if you really are unhappy with them and think they suck, then maybe tip a little less, but you've gotta tip them something.

[danzasmack]

No I'm def. gonna tip, I'm not asking if I should, just wondering how much. I was unaware that there were 15 of them. And wondering if i'm supposed to give each an individual card. I'm guessing I address it to them and sign it like "Room 1605"?

[turnipmonster]

you don't have to get a card, they don't care. I would tip each of the porters 20 and the handymen 30 (this is based on your super's recommended tip of 50). not sure about the concierge, seems like it depends on expected and past usage.

edit: doormen I would tip 30.

[danzasmack]

Just put the tip in an envelope with like a piece of stationary then?

[turnipmonster]

yeah that's fine. btw, other way to figure out a good amount is ask a few ppl in your building. my recommendations are probably a little high for such a large building.

[danzasmack]

Meh it's gonna be split 3-ways so it comes out to $130 a person which I think is fine.

Thanks for all your help turnip, much appreciated.