Human Labor: The Essential Luxury of the Hamptons

In early May, the wealthiest residents of the Hamptons are primarily in New York City rather than their luxurious homes. Despite their absence, traffic congestion is evident, and activity persists in the houses as preparations are underway for the homeowners’ return.

The southeastern tip of Long Island hosts two distinct groups: residents who are seldom present and workers who are always around but never feel at home. Both groups traverse the same streets and residences. The people employed to clean the vast glass windows of beachfront mansions must complete their tasks before the homeowners return to enjoy the unobstructed ocean views. These workers often clean homes outside the owners’ summer weekends.

In Southampton, day laborers gather during the week in a grassy area near a 7-Eleven, waiting for work. On weekends, nothing remains but worn patches of dirt marking where they stood. Meanwhile, as buses of young, energetic people head east from the city, the main road exiting the Hamptons becomes crowded with pickup trucks and vans from landscaping, construction, and cleaning companies. Locals refer to this traffic as the ‘trade parade.’