Life is Humorous

The company said it was setting aside $16.5 billion for salaries, bonuses and benefits, or an average of $622,000 for each employee, although much larger payouts usually go to the bankers who arrange business deals or sell corporate stock to investors than to other kinds of employees.

“When these guys learn what their bonuses are, we are among the first people they call,” said Pamela Liebman, the chief executive of the Corcoran Group, a residential brokerage. “They call their mothers, and then their real estate brokers.”

“The luxury market is very dramatically affected by bonuses,” Ms. Consolo said. “We are talking furs, jewelry, apparel and beauty items like $250 jars of face cream. Anything that makes them look good or feel good.”

Luxury spas are likely to see an influx of business as well, she side, as executives use part of their bonuses to send their spouses on spa vacations.