'Building Material' is the memoir of a Park Avenue doorman
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Stephen Bruno, author of "Building Material," offers a glimpse into the life of a Park Avenue doorman and his relationships with the residents of the building where he worked. Bruno shares insights into maintaining professionalism while facing the ever-changing demeanors of residents.
He also recounts the mentorship and support he received from the Bloom family, who encouraged him to pursue his writing ambitions. Bruno discusses how his well-paying job allowed him to work on his memoir, which details his experiences and interactions with residents during his tenure as a doorman. The episode explores the launch of Bruno's book while continuing to work his regular shift, highlighting the duality of his careers.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 9, 2024 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
The doorman's role and relationships with residents
As Stephen Bruno explains, a doorman is seen as a type of "boss" by residents, with their demeanor toward him varying day-to-day. Although it's tempting to develop personal relationships after years at the same building, Bruno emphasizes maintaining professionalism. He also admits to occasionally giving incorrect directions to tourists, unintentionally.
The Bloom family's mentorship and support of the doorman
When the Bloom family sensed Bruno was struggling in his master's program, Mrs. Bloom had him watch an inspirational documentary on playwright August Wilson. It helped Bruno feel less like an "outsider" in the program. After moving out, the Blooms hosted the launch party for Bruno's memoir where he worked, reflecting their steadfast support.
The doorman's writing and publication of his memoir
Bruno notes his well-paying doorman job allowed him to pay tuition and bills while writing. His memoir "Building Material" details his relationships with Park Avenue residents he encountered as a doorman. When it launched, he celebrated while still working his regular shift, highlighting his dual career.
1-Page Summary
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Clarifications
- Doormen often hold a significant role in residential buildings, acting as a point of contact and authority figure for residents. Residents may view the doorman as a figure of respect or authority, with interactions varying based on daily interactions and familiarity. Maintaining a balance between professionalism and personal relationships is crucial for doormen, as they navigate their roles within the community. The relationship dynamics between residents and doormen can be influenced by factors such as tenure, communication style, and mutual respect.
Counterarguments
- Residents may not necessarily view the doorman as a "boss" but rather as a service provider or a friendly acquaintance, depending on their personal interactions and the culture of the building.
- Developing personal relationships with residents can sometimes enhance the quality of service and community feeling within the building, as long as boundaries are maintained.
- Giving incorrect directions, even unintentionally, could be seen as a lapse in service rather than a benign mistake, suggesting a need for better familiarity with the local area or improved training.
- The Bloom family's support, while commendable, could raise questions about favoritism or boundaries between residents and building staff.
- Watching an inspirational documentary is a subjective form of support that may not be universally effective for all individuals facing academic challenges.
- The memoir's focus on relationships with residents might raise privacy concerns or ethical questions about sharing personal interactions in a public domain.
- Celebrating the launch of a memoir while working could be seen as mixing personal achievements with professional responsibilities, which might not be appropriate in all professional contexts.
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The doorman's role and relationships with residents
Stephen Bruno shares the nuances and complexities of a doorman's interactions with residents and tourists, reflecting on his own experiences in the role.
The doorman is seen as another "boss" by the residents
Stephen Bruno sheds light on the dynamics between doormen and residents, indicating that each resident is effectively another boss. He notes that a doorman should not take residents' behavior personally, for residents can vary in their interactions daily. Bruno gives an example that a resident may warmly greet the doorman one day and simply pass by without acknowledgement the next while boarding the elevator. Despite these fluctuations, the doorman must maintain a professional and consistent demeanor.
Professionalism despite personal connections
In discussing his own 14 years as a doorman at the same building, Stephen expresses that it's easy to slip into more personal relationships with residents, talking with them about his life, writing endeavors, talents, and personal achievements. However, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a professional, casual demeanor even if the doorman and residents develop closer relationships away from the work environment.
The doorman sometimes provides incorrect directions to tourists, unintentionally
Occasionally, a doorman's desire to be helpful and appear knowledgeable about the city might lead to unintended consequences. Stephen Bruno admits to unin ...
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The doorman's role and relationships with residents
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The relationship between doormen and residents in a building can be complex. Residents may see the doorman as a figure of authority or a point of contact for various needs. Doormen must navigate varying resident behaviors professionally, maintaining a consistent demeanor despite fluctuations. Personal connections can develop, but it's crucial for doormen to uphold a professional boundary even as relationships grow.
- The concept of the doorman being seen as another "boss" by residents highlights the authority and influence a doorman can hold within a residential setting. Residents may view the doorman as a figure of power due to their role in managing access and security. This perception can stem from the doorman's ability to enforce building rules and regulations, creating a dynamic where residents may feel a sense of accountability to the doorman.
- Maintaining professionalism while developing personal relationships as a doorman involves balancing friendliness with boundaries, ensuring that personal connections do not compromise the professional duties and image of the doorman. It requires the doorman to navigate between being approachable and maintaining a level of formality to uphold the expectations of their role. This balance is crucial to establish trust and rapport with residents while also upholding the standards of professionalism expected in a service-oriented position. It involves setting clear boundarie ...
Counterarguments
- The doorman is not necessarily seen as a "boss" by all residents; some may view him as a service provider or part of the building staff, with a different dynamic than a boss-employee relationship.
- Residents' behavior towards the doorman might not vary due to personal feelings but could be influenced by other factors such as stress, preoccupation, or external pressures unrelated to the doorman.
- While a doorman should strive not to take residents' behavior personally, it is natural for humans to be affected by the behavior of others, especially if interactions are consistently negative or dismissive.
- Maintaining a professional and consistent demeanor is important, but doormen, like any individuals, may have off days where it's challenging to uphold the same level of professionalism.
- Personal relationships between doormen and residents can sometimes enhance the quality of service and community feeling within the building, as long as boundaries are respected.
- The importance of maintaining a professional demeanor does not preclude the development of genuine friendships or mutual respect that may extend beyond the professional realm.
- Doormen unintentionally providing incorre ...
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The Bloom family's mentorship and support of the doorman
The Bloom family provided key mentorship and support to Stephen, their building’s doorman, who was facing obstacles during his master's program.
Mrs. Bloom sensed the doorman was struggling during his master's program and invited him to watch an inspirational documentary to encourage him
Mrs. Bloom noticed that Stephen was struggling in his master's program and was not able to provide the kind of exciting news that would make his employers excited for him. To offer support and inspiration, Mrs. Bloom invited Stephen to watch a documentary on playwright August Wilson.
The documentary on playwright August Wilson helped the doorman see himself and his own potential, despite feeling like an "other" in the MFA program
The documentary showcased August Wilson's journey as a working-class individual from a rough city who managed to maintain his identity and find success on his own terms. This deeply resonated with Stephen, and helped him see his own potential and feel less like an "outsider" in his MFA program.
The Bloom family continued to support the doorman over the years, even after they moved out of the building, by hosting the launch party for his published memoir
The Bloom family's support extended beyond their residency in the apartment building. When the time came to celebrate the launch of Stephen's publish ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Bloom family's mentorship and support of the doorman
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Actionables
- You can foster someone's growth by offering to review and give feedback on their creative work, such as writing or art, which can provide them with valuable insights and encouragement.
- By becoming a sounding board for someone's ideas, you help them refine their skills and gain confidence. For example, if a colleague is working on a presentation, offer to listen and provide constructive criticism, which can help them improve and feel supported.
- Create a small, informal book club with friends or colleagues to share and discuss inspiring stories of people in your field of interest.
- This can help you and others see the potential in your own paths and feel more connected to your community. For instance, if you're interested in entrepreneurship, you could read and discuss biographies of successful entrepreneurs, sparking conversations about overcoming challenges and fostering a sense of belonging.
- Volunteer to help organize or promote events for local ...
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The doorman's writing and publication of his memoir
Stephen Bruno's unique dual career as both a doorman and an author proves that dedication and hard work can pave the way for success in multiple avenues.
The doorman was able to pay for his college tuition and credit card bills through his well-paying job as a doorman
Bruno states that the job pays well, which allowed him not only to handle personal expenses but also to complete his education. He was able to pay off his tuition for John Jay College as well as his credit card bills entirely from his paychecks as a doorman. Viewing his job positively, Bruno saw the role as advantageous, providing him with a steady income without the physical tolls of other employment types.
The doorman's memoir, "Building Material," details his experiences and relationships with the residents he encountered as a Park Avenue doorman
Bruno's memoir, "Building Material," delves into the world of a Park Avenue doorman, revealing the nuances of his experiences and the depth of relationships he formed with residents.
The doorman was able to celebrate the publication of his memoir while still working his regular doorman shift, highlighting the dual nature of his career
Signifying the dual natu ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The doorman's writing and publication of his memoir
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Stephen Bruno's story is inspiring, it may not be representative of the experiences of all individuals juggling multiple careers, as success in one area does not always translate to success in another.
- The narrative that hard work alone leads to success can overlook systemic barriers that may prevent others from achieving similar outcomes, regardless of their dedication or effort.
- The fact that the doorman could pay for his college tuition and credit card bills through his job may speak to his financial management skills but also raises questions about the affordability of higher education and the reliance on credit cards for personal expenses.
- The memoir's exploration of relationships with residents might be lim ...
Actionables
- Explore a side passion while maintaining your day job by setting aside dedicated hours each week to pursue a personal project, like writing or art, without compromising your primary source of income.
- By scheduling specific times for your passion project, you ensure consistent progress without the financial pressure. For example, if you're interested in writing, commit to two evenings a week where you focus solely on drafting your ideas or stories.
- Use your everyday interactions and observations at work as inspiration for creative endeavors, such as starting a blog, vlog, or podcast.
- Your unique perspective can offer valuable insights to others. If you're a barista, for instance, you could create content around the stories and characters you encounter daily, providing a behind-the-counter view of the coffee world.
- Fund your educational goals by ident ...
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