How much should you give a goalkeeper at the end of the year?

At the end of the year, all New Yorkers have planned a little – a lot – of money for their goalie’s New Year’s Eve.

The indispensable goalkeeper

If you are looking to rent or even buy an apartment in New York from France, you will be surprised by the number of services that a recent building can offer you. Gym, roof-top, swimming pool for the lucky ones, studio and… a doorman.

And perhaps you will be tempted to do without it when choosing the apartment in which you intend to live. After all, in France, you didn’t have a goalkeeper.

It’s the same, isn’t it?

For nothing.

The doorman is an essential, even vital link for survival in New York. It deserves a full article (to come, I promise) but, today, the question isn’t there, no. The question ALL New Yorkers are asking at the end of the year is:

“How much will I give him for his New Year’s gifts?”

(Actually, the real question is how much I will give them, because there are many, but I’m afraid of losing you).

I spoke to my friend S., who has lived in New York for at least sixty years, and she hasn’t been able to answer me.

“I’m looking on the Internet,” she apologized.

In fact, nobody knows anything about it because the scenarios are very numerous.

Calculation of gifts

A first approach would be to consult the site The agency which offers a lovely little app – with falling snow – and some criteria.

For instance :

“I have been living in a two bedroom apartment that I rent for more than two years and it is located in a building with more than 50 apartments (we are in NY). I regularly use the services made available to me (e.g. post or parcel delivery).

Then I have to define my generosity: “grinch” – a little stingy – “on a budget” – I’m careful – “typical” or “generous”. And the little app under the snow recommends I pay between $81 and $130.

It’s okay, right?

Just that looking a little you will find the site Brickunderground which, on the other hand, advances a completely different price scale.

Here is the result of their survey:

– The super steward, between $150 and $300

– The doorman and/or doorman (the one who finds you a taxi or a dog sitter): between $75 and $200 on average

– The one who brings your bags or who comes to unplug the sink: from $25 to $50

– The one that helps you park your car: $25 to $75

Furthermore, the amounts vary depending on whether you are the owner and therefore more generous, or a tenant. Renters give on average between $250 and $1000, while the distribution is less even among landlords: between $250 and $2500.

What if your goalkeeper isn’t really cute?

Hey, you give him the same, but very little, between $20 and $50.

Finally, if this year you have had the feeling of calling your goalkeeper a lot but you fear that giving him more will become a habit, insert a note with your money that justifies this increase… exceptional.

But just know that you won’t be done with the presents. You are left with your children’s mistress, the lady who drives them, the school bus driver, the nanny, the gentleman who takes your dog out, and probably others I’ve forgotten.