Do you tip your hairdresser?

[ameliagrey]

and if so- is it always 10%

I find this really hard. My hairdresser is self employed and rents chair space in a London salon.

He's been there for years so is not a junior- he's been there longer than the salon owner in fact.

He tends to wash my hair as well as cut it, so it's not as if I feel I have to tip a junior and not him.

The whole thing is quite expensive when you add in fares- £85.

I know that he sets his own fees, and he doesn't want to increase them, and they are reasonable-£65- but the fares add a lot on.

I understood that it's not really the done thing to tip salon owners- usually juniors etc- so wonder if you think I should tip him, and by 10%. I usually give him around £3 in change but wonder if that is mean?

[Bunbaker]

No, because:
a) It is the salon owner
b) I pay enough anyway
c) I am too mean

[Cherrypie32]

Nope, don't tip, can only just about afford it (£85) when I go as it is.

[ameliagrey]

But is it the done thing to still tip these days- or not? I don't agree with tipping as I feel it's patronising, and people should be paid a proper wage, but on the other hand if it is polite practice, then I would.....

[mumblechum1]

Depends what mood I'm in. Usually a fiver but if I don;t like the cut or am particularly skint, I don't tip.

[QED]

I tip my hairdresser as it costs £15 and she isn't the owner. When I paid about £35 for a haircut I didn't tip.

[mrsmartin]

I don't tip my hairdresser but I do tip the junior. My salon makes it easy though as each staff member has a little slot for tips in a discreet area of the salon - I just pop over in slip in a few pounds - maybe £4. But never the haidresser - they earn a decent enough wage whereas the juniors are generally apprentices (and therefore earn about £2.50 an hour).

[BreeVanDerTramp]

Nope, as I always pay by debit card and am think it is embarrassing offering someone a tip. Where does it end? It's not as if you tip checkout operators for packing your bags or shop staff fitting your DC's shoes.

[mrsmartin]

amelia - it is def still the done thing in restaurants. In taxis I find it is usually ok just to say 'don't worry about any change'. I hair salons I don't think it is the done thing anymore - particularly since 2008.

[BarryStar]

I tip the hairdresser and the hairwasher. But it causes me much embarrassment, and I usually spend the entire appointment wondering how much to give to who, and when to give it etc. Spectacularly helpful answer, sorry!

[mrsmartin]

Funny you should mention children's shoe fittings bree - I used to get sent cards, flowers and all sorts of other things by grateful parents who had got their dc's shoes fitted in my dept. :)

[StellaAndFries]

I feed my hairdresser rather than tip her, she is one of my best friends though and cuts my hair in my kitchen whilst her dp and mine play darts :)

[ggirl]

used to but since the credit crunch and I pay a *!^%ing fortune to get my hair done I can't afford to
I figure I am atleast giving them my business.

[Labootin]

I always tip
It keeps the little people happy

Arf arf

[Labootin]

My hairdresser is five foot nothing btw

[SecretSquirrels]

I only tip my hairdresser, seldom restaurants unless I plan to return. Your fares are nothing to do with the cost of the hairdresser surely?

[Takver]

No I don't as she is co-owner of the salon and it would feel awkward. However as she is very reasonable (£15 for wash, cut and blowdry, £35 for cut and colour) and always does a fantastic job I tend to leave a few quid either 'to get something for your dd' (she has a toddler) or 'to go in the pot for Xmas drinks' or whatever.

[happybubblebrain]

I never go to the hairdressers, they charge far too much.
I've boycotted them

[SparkySparrow]

Only once or twice I have said keep the change. Normally about £3 and only when I haven't been skint which isn't very often.. However my hairdresser has since put her prices up so I wouldn't now even if I could afford it.

Now, someone tell me what a 'MN haircut' is?

[Bunbaker]

I daren't not go to the hairdresser. I would look a complete mess. If push came to shove my hairdressing expenses would be the last thing I would give up.

[redfive]

Yes usually, she is lovely and I go back every 2 weeks for fringe trims so I like to tip. I pay £33 x

[fivegomadindorset]

I feed her children when she comes round.

[EllenParsons]

I tip my hairdresser and she is the owner! Her prices are very reasonable, I've been using her for years and I'm always happy with my hair when she does it so I'm happy to tip. It's a very small salon and I'm not sure how much it actually makes, so I think tips do help.

[ameliagrey]

secretsquirrels what do you mean about fares? Yes they are- I would not be making that journey otherwise. I spend that to go to the salon.

Occasionally I might do other things when in London but usually it's a quick trip there and back.

[satonawall]

I don't tip anyone. They're just doing their job!