The holiday season is a time for giving -- to your friends, family members, and your super and hairdresser too. Holiday tipping time can be stressful in New York City. We want to recognize the service professionals who make our lives easier throughout the year, but some of us can't aftipford to be overly generous (especially in the midst of a recession).
In New York City, it's traditional to give a holiday tip to service providers (including apartment building staff, child care and cleaning helpers, and other personal service vendors) during December or January. It's a sign of appreciation for good service, not an obligation, but tips are counted on by many NYC service providers. If you don't tip, it could be seen as a sign of dissatisfaction or just plain stinginess.
If you're on a tight budget, focus on those service providers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make your life easier. If you truly can't afford to tip someone who gave you good service throughout the year, you can give a small personal gift like homemade cookies and a heartfelt note.
In general, you should tip cash and as early in the season as you can (service professionals have gifts to buy too).
But exactly who should you tip? What's the minimum that won't look cheap? How much is too much? Can you skip the tip if you get terrible service?
The answers to these and more NYC holiday tipping questions are below.
In New York City, it's traditional to give a holiday tip to service providers (including apartment building staff, child care and cleaning helpers, and other personal service vendors) during December or January. It's a sign of appreciation for good service, not an obligation, but tips are counted on by many NYC service providers. If you don't tip, it could be seen as a sign of dissatisfaction or just plain stinginess.
If you're on a tight budget, focus on those service providers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make your life easier. If you truly can't afford to tip someone who gave you good service throughout the year, you can give a small personal gift like homemade cookies and a heartfelt note.
In general, you should tip cash and as early in the season as you can (service professionals have gifts to buy too).
But exactly who should you tip? What's the minimum that won't look cheap? How much is too much? Can you skip the tip if you get terrible service?
The answers to these and more NYC holiday tipping questions are below.
