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Original poster

I panic when I have to tip for a service!

62 replies

MsWalterMitty · 28/08/2021 21:09

Well maybe not panic panic but it bring out anxious feelings as I never really know what to do in these situations. To be honest I’d rather tipping didn’t exist just so I didn’t have to read the situation!

I never know whether I’n under or over tipping and find sticking to the 10% rule awkward if I only have cash or it’s an odd amount.

Example... today DS had his hair cut. It cost £35. I paid £40. Is a fiver too much? Too little? Did I offend?

I’m so crap at being an adult!! 🙈

OP posts:
Roonilwazlib1 · 28/08/2021 23:20

In restaurants I tip 10% or round up if it's slightly more although find that most places just add a 10% service charge now which makes it easier. I won't tip for poor service though.

I've never tipped my hairdresser if I'm honest as it just doesn't enter my mind to do so - I think because it costs £90 which is the very top of my budget, and shes not a junior.

GreenTeaPingPong · 28/08/2021 23:28

I agree OP, I find it excruciating. Restaurants usually OK but in hairdressers I hate it. I'm sure I read on here you should tip the junior who washes your hair, but then an older guy washed my hair and it turned out he was my hairdresser's husband! How embarrassing if I'd given him a patronising tip. And then there's taxis (non-Uber), are we still meant to tip them? Why?

Benjispruce5 · 28/08/2021 23:32

I tip in restaurants if I receive good service . I’ll leave 10% and normally in cash. I used to tip hairdressers but haven’t for a couple of years. I think my repeat businesses is enough and it’s getting very expensive. Waitresses on the other hand , work hard for not very much.

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Benjispruce5 · 28/08/2021 23:32

And waiters.

beautifullymad · 28/08/2021 23:34

10% to waiting staff.

I don't tip hairdressers generally but I do tip the apprentice at 20% if I'm having anything done by them.

Ionlydomassiveones · 28/08/2021 23:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

ElizabethTudor · 28/08/2021 23:37

I tip my hairdresser, in restaurants, taxis, delivery drivers.
The minimum wage is just that.
And if I’ve had a good service I’m happy to reflect that in my tip.

eightlivesdown · 29/08/2021 00:01

The taxi driver you tip probably earns more and pays less tax than the bus driver you don't tip.

Kendodd · 29/08/2021 00:08

I hate tipping (but don't panic, I always do). I would much rather the bill was just 10-15% higher and tipping didn't exist. Tipping always feels a little bit demeaning to me.

Anordinarymum · 29/08/2021 00:14

Just pay with your card. Job done

BarbaraofSeville · 29/08/2021 05:02

@Racingadmin

"I’ve stopped tipping. There is National minimal wage. You should’ve have to tip."

£8.91 an hour - it's not that liveable

Tips make a massive difference to many of us in service industries

I tip 10/15 % for waitressing . £3 for nails , £5 to hairdresser. I always tip cash and if service charge is included I get them to take it off and leave cash as management can't always be trusted to do the right thing by staff

I work in hospitality and any tip is gratefully received even 50p when someone says keep the change . It all adds up over the course of a shift / week/ month.

By that logic you should also be tipping retail workers, carers, fast food counter staff and probably all manner of other staff who earn similar wages for similar work but almost never receive tips.
VanishingAct · 29/08/2021 05:17

@Voice0fReason

I hate tipping and I avoid it as much as possible. For every low paid hairdresser who gets tips, there are dozens of cleaners, packers, delivery drivers etc who are also low paid and never get tips. Being low paid is not a good reason to make tipping customary. Pay people a decent wage so tipping is not expected. If prices go up, that's fine. I would much rather that increased cost was included in the price so it could be spread across all low paid staff, not just the ones in customer-facing roles and industries.
You are exactly the sort of person who would have a fit if prices went up. It's fine not to tip but don't pretend that you refuse to tip for the greater good.

You want to pay the minimum amount.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/08/2021 05:46

I don't tip at all!

MoreAloneTime · 29/08/2021 07:06

I don't like tipping. No service user has ever given me extra money just for doing the job I'm already being paid to do.

Kinsters · 29/08/2021 07:19

I live in Asia and we don't tip at restaurants, hairdressers etc. I tip delivery drivers and taxi drivers as they've been badly hit by the pandemic. I also tip workmen eg gardeners, painters but only if they're workers rather than self employed. I assume that a self employed person will be charging enough for their services.

When I worked as a waitress in the UK some people tipped and some didn't. I never judged anyone for not tipping (unless they were a big Christmas party and didn't leave anything despite being hard work, then I'd be a little disappointed). I find most places nowadays include a service charge which makes things a lot easier.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 29/08/2021 08:18

I don't tip anyone anything. I'm only on minumum wage myself so I'm not spending out any extra, I don't think it should be up to the general public to subsidise poor wages.

SpnBaby1967 · 29/08/2021 08:21

I wouldnt tip at hairdressers for my hair. DS its £5 so will chuck a couple of extra £ on.

Restaurant we usually tip anywhere from £10-£20 depending on service. Our bill is usually over £100

Bollindger · 29/08/2021 08:22

The cashier is on min wage. Do you tip them?

How about your mum who cooks for free.

We are not the USA where people earn $3 an hour and need tips. Don't do it.

Undertheoldlindentree · 29/08/2021 08:37

If the waiter, hairdresser or taxi-driver is friendly and helpful, I try and give 10 to 15 % and I'm on a very very low income myself. I factor a potential tip into the cost before I decide to use the service.

Not sure why it would cause anyone to panic? Unless in fancy hotel or cruise etc where tipping various people might be expected...I'm not living that kind of life so not a worry! Smile

SamMil · 29/08/2021 08:46

I've never tipped a hairdresser. I didn't know this was a thing in the UK.

I tip around 10% in a restaurant, but I've never tipped I'm any other situation.

ufucoffee · 29/08/2021 09:17

@eightlivesdown

The taxi driver you tip probably earns more and pays less tax than the bus driver you don't tip.
The bus driver doesn't have to clean up after people are sick in his vehicle. The bus driver doesn't have to listen to drunks sitting right next to him and calling him names and swearing at him. The bus driver isn't self employed, he gets paid holidays and a pension. Tip your taxi drivers and stop being so tight.
ufucoffee · 29/08/2021 09:20

I always tip for good service. Hair dressers, bar staff, restaurant staff and taxi drivers, removal men, and our bin men now get a Xmas tip because they are great.

eightlivesdown · 29/08/2021 10:16

The bus driver doesn't have to clean up after people are sick in his vehicle. The bus driver doesn't have to listen to drunks sitting right next to him and calling him names and swearing at him. The bus driver isn't self employed, he gets paid holidays and a pension. Tip your taxi drivers and stop being so tight.

Bus drivers do have to put up with crap from passengers on occasion. The bus will be cleaned by minimum wage cleaners, often working anti-social hours. Cleaning is hard work for low wages and (when I did it) no pension or benefits. No tips.

The warehouse worker isn't tipped but the delivery driver is - why?

A plumber isn't tipped but a taxi driver is - why?

A dentist isn't tipped, but a hairdresser is - why?

I'd rather pay a service inclusive price sufficient to provide a decent income, and not have to worry about who and how much to tip. I don't like supporting a system where some employers take advantage by paying low wages and relying on tips to enable staff to make ends meet. Or people on low income feeling pressured to pay tips to others who may earn more, e.g. the cleaner tipping the taxi driver.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 29/08/2021 10:26

OP, there are no tipping "rules". If you want to do it, if not then fine too. It's a horrible habit and it stops employers paying proper wages.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 29/08/2021 12:00

I have tipping 'rules'. I don't tend to tip in restaurants/cafes unless the service has been great. It rarely is. I may say 'keep the change'.

I do sometimes tip 'just because' it's expected and I'm paying the whole bill anyway - first time after lockdown in a supposedly upmarket pub; indifferent food, lacklustre staff and horrible sticky carpets. I tipped to stop guest tipping (bad form of them). Recently, in better pub with husband and MIL, really great service, tipped and told them how fantastic it all was. Everybody happy.

Some people tip terrible service 'just because', and in my opinion they are to be pilloried because they perpetuate the mediocre/average as something to be appreciated and 'held up' as something good. It isn't.

I have services from my hairdresser, personal trainer, beautician and courier that I don't get from anybody else and I really, really appreciate them. I tip them what I want/can afford, whenever I can.

Don't be bullied/heckled into paying something extra for something that isn't worth it to you. That's my view anyway.

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