Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to be a real New York City doorman? Well, it seems harder than it looks. That's why the staffs of eight Manhattan buildings are attending all-day seminars at the Waldorf-Astoria in the hopes of learning things like how to pick up a phone before it rings three times, how to properly tell tenants to get to the gym, and how to maintain eye contact when you're being chewed out for not walking that old woman's dog properly while she was at her country house. Here are some tips from Michael Romei, a 16-year Waldorf veteran:
- Master “the proper way to walk in a luxury environment," which is briskly, with purpose and the right hand free to shake.
- Groom yourself. Romei says, “A conservative, charcoal gray suit that looks good on almost anyone is the ideal uniform. We talk a lot about clean hands—they’re very visible when you’re working at a desk or writing a note or picking up a phone."
- Smile when you answer the phone, "because it makes your voice more cheerful."
- Remember birthdays, awards and hospital stays.
- Harking back to 8th grade English class, remember to "show and not tell." Romei says, “If you say, ‘You need to take the elevator to the third-floor fitness center,’ you’re already dictating. Our rule is that in luxury, guests don’t ‘need’ to do anything. Instead, we say: ‘Please take the elevator to the third-floor fitness center.”
You should also know where to find dry cleaning, bagels, banks, coffee, landmarks, drugstores and how to get to the airports. Master all that, and you too could marry an attractive foot model and get $100 from each tenant during the holidays.
