Do you tip doormen at year end?

N

noraa

Registered User
Hi, we have recently arrived in HK. We live in a pretty full service building (albeit one without many foreigners in it) and the staff (there are lots of them) are really helpful. They help us with our groceries, hail taxis for us, receive packages, all sorts of stuff. We used to live in NY and every year end it was expected that we provide building staff with a cash "bonus" (oftentimes quite a lot of money). Is there a similar expectation here? I read some older threads on tipping and it appears to be more of a Western concept. If a cash tip is out of line (if it isn't, please let me know, and also please let me know how much is appropriate!), does anyone give other gifts to staff to let them know their efforts are appreciated? What might be appropriate and appreciated? Thanks so much!
 
no, you don't not for christmas... if you like you can give them a "red pocket" with some money for CNY (nothing with "4" in it, ex. no $40). it can be as little as $20 or as much as $500, up to you. most, i would think would offer $50-100 per packet for such services.
 
Ah! Makes perfect sense! And thanks for the cultural guidance too, never would have thought of the "4" thing! Thank you so much!
 
I always wondered about the 4 thing (no floors with that number etc) so thanks for explaining that cara!
 
I usually give a big box of choccies, nuts or biscuits for all of the doormen to share at Christmas and a red packet at CNY (usually around $200 per doorman). I also live in a full service building, with around 40 flats in total. (When I lived in a building with 160 flats and less service from the doormen, I only tipped about $50 at CNY.)
 
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