Michael Scalici has been with The Caledonia since the beginning of 2012. He started with us as a porter, then became a doorman, and is now a concierge. Because of his constant professionalism, can-do attitude, and helpfulness, he is a perfect representation of what we residents love about living at The Caledonia. I asked Michael for some time to chat with me about life at The Caledonia and to share a glimpse of his personal life.
Lance: How do you like working in NYC and living in Staten Island?
Michael: Staten Island is very different from New York City. I like working in the city and catching movies and trying different restaurants, but I love coming home to the suburban life (as most in the city would see it). I drive into the city every day so my commute is about 45 minutes, which takes less time than public transportation would. I have a lot of friends in Staten Island so I tend to spend time with them when I’m back home, as well as with my fiancée who lives less than a mile away from me.
Lance: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! When is the big day?
Michael: Thank you! I’m getting married in February.
Lance: How did you and your fiancée meet?
Michael: We met in 2008. I was delivering a pizza and she was working at a candy store. We met through a mutual friend. It was actually one of my best friends at the time and he was dating a friend of hers (the two of them worked together). They only ordered the pizza because they thought he would be working that night, but I had picked up his shift. I actually got into a car accident on my way there.
Lance: But you delivered the pizza anyway?
Michael: Yeah!
Lance: Where did you propose?
Michael: On her stoop – on her front steps. She wouldn’t want it any other way than having her whole family there, so I had all her loved ones come over on one of the coldest nights in February. Everyone was in the house and I proposed as we came home from dinner. I wrote “Will you marry me?” on the bottom of a pair of Louboutins.
Lance: Where are you going on the honeymoon?
Michael: Hawai’i!
Lance: Very nice, congratulations again.
Michael: Thank you.
Lance: Aside from your fiancée, another love of yours is cinema, right?
Michael: Yes, I’m a huge movie buff. I’m big on comedy. I love Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Kevin James, and Adam Sandler. I go to the movies as often as possible.
Lance: What are your favorite requests to fulfill as a concierge at The Caledonia?
Michael: I like when I get a request to surprise someone’s partner or spouse. It’s always a challenge. For example, if someone orders a watch for their husband, we have to log it in (as we do with everything residents request). When we log a request, the resident will get an email notification, so it’s actually a lot of work trying to surprise somebody because so many things could go wrong where their spouse would find out. We have to tell every single one of our employees not to say a word, not to hand deliver a package, not to mention a delivery until someone actually asks for it. It’s a lot more than what it seems, but it is fun for all of us when the surprise works out.
Lance: What else do you find challenging about working at The Caledonia?
Michael: Multitasking. It’s a job requirement for all of us and it’s something that we continue to learn how to do no matter how many years of experience we have.
Lance: What do you like the most about working at The Caledonia?
Michael: The people. The people I work with especially and many of the residents at The Caledonia have become sort of an extended family for me.
Lance: Well, we appreciate you very much! Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me today.
Michael: No problem! Thank you.
