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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not tip my hairdresser?

255 replies

MrsSatsuma · 17/03/2011 19:49

Just wondered what everybody else thinks about this - as I always go to the hairdresser on my own, I've no idea what anybody else does! I occasionally tip my hairdresser (eg if it's £37 I'll round it up to £40) but not always - came to £75 last time as I had highlights too and I didn't know what to do so just left it.

I don't want to tip and risk offence, if it's against convention, but I don't want them to think I'm mean. On the other hand it's pretty expensive! As far as I know people don't tip for other luxuries, like massages or manicures (do they?) so I assumed hairdressing was no different. I don't tip taxi drivers as a taxi ride usually cleans me out anyway! and I do usually tip in restaurants provided I've had good service.

Would love to know what others do!

OP posts:
PrincessScrumpy · 17/03/2011 20:02

dh always tips as his cuts are £8 so he gives £10. Mine are £75-£80 so I don't tip. Can't/don't want to afford to. I'm never sure either.

hmc · 17/03/2011 20:04

I always tip mine - I don't know what the norm is. I guess this thread is going to be a good way to find out!

liggerscharter · 17/03/2011 20:04

I usually tip a fiver.

I had my hair cut by the junior stylist at the weekend - a wet cut, no blow dry as I was skint. I checked the price on the phone and they said £20.

When she had finished they charged me £25. I felt bad that I didn't leave her a tip but didn't really want to stand there arguing the toss about what was said on the phone.

headfairy · 17/03/2011 20:04

yanbu, I hate tipping. It encourages employers to pay meagre wages, I never ever tip. Pay your staff properly and they won't need tips to survive (mind you, I do tip at Christmas. I'm usually drunk full of bonhomie then and not so Scrooge like)

FabbyChic · 17/03/2011 20:05

I usually give them the change out of a tenner, and would give the change out of a score if the hair was 18. But I never go to the hairdressers anymore but used to tip.

Always tip a cabbie.

Sn0wflake · 17/03/2011 20:06

I tip a fiver.

hmc · 17/03/2011 20:06

I don't think employers are suddenly going to turn around and think 5% of our customers don't tip like headfairy over there, so therefore we'll up the basic wage....

firsttimer84 · 17/03/2011 20:06

my mum and i use the same hairdresser and shes always tipped. Not just the hairdresser either, she tips the washer and then the highlighter as well. I generally round up and give it the hairdresser, not everyone else. Mum used to have her nails done every week as well and always tipped them as well. I dont think i would tip them though.

hermioneweasley · 17/03/2011 20:12

always tip hairdresser. pay about £35 for a cut and tip £3. for manicures etc i usually see the owener of the salon so i don't tip, but if it's an employee i tip about 10%. can't remember the last time i didn't tip in a restaurant. sometimes deduct for poor service, but usually leave something. sounds like i'm being profligate!

headfairy · 17/03/2011 20:16

no I agree hmc, but as someone who "lived on tips" I know it's assumed in certain industries that you'll be getting extra untaxed income so they do nothing to address low pay. When we complained about low pay when I was waitressing (many moons ago, pre EU legistlation and min wage etc) we were told we'd have to pool our tips with the managers if we had a problem with pay.

Pinner35 · 17/03/2011 20:16

I only tip if I'm happy with what they've done. The stylist (as they like to be called apparently) I used to a couple of years ago broke her elbow and couldn't continue with her job and I went through many a bad cut (used to leave a couple of quid for the hair washer though). I've recently found a fab stylist and I always tip £10 for a £42 cut.

PrincessScrumpy · 17/03/2011 20:17

I always tip in a restaurant but in the hairdresser I don't use the junior - I have the owner so I figure her higher prices are enough. If I was rolling in it I would tip.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 17/03/2011 20:18

I always tip my hairdresser, usually about 10%. She is the only person who has ever managed to tame my unruly mop, so that I am not crying when leaving the salon, so I have to keep her on side!! I did go once, and only had my card (no cash) and was mortified when they told me I couldn't add the tip (like you do in restaurants). I ended up leaving, going to a cash machine and coming back with a tip.

Like I said, I really need to keep my hairdresser sweet!

goodbyemrschips · 17/03/2011 20:19

I dont tip anybody.

Do you tip the checkout girl at sainsburys or tesco?

wellwisher · 17/03/2011 20:21

I leave a couple of quid for the shampoo girl (they are underpaid teenagers) and tip my hairdresser £5, and £10 at Christmas.

BeatRoute · 17/03/2011 20:23

I do tip, usually a couple of quid but that's because I only pay a tenner. When I used to pay extortionate hairdressers I would give a 10% tip. I don't think anyone doing a job is going to be offended at being given more money - that's why they're working, isn't it?!

TidyDancer · 17/03/2011 20:25

I would normally tip a hairdresser the change from the note, ie if the cut (etc) costs £37, I'll round up to £40. But the last time I went (quite recently), I was told over the phone it was £6 less than what they actually charged me on the day, so I didn't tip. Would never tip more than £5, because I've never had a cut that cost more than £50 (the £5 being 10% of £50....).

wigglesrock · 17/03/2011 20:28

I tip my hairdresser, the girl that shampoos, I also tip my "eyebrow" girl and takeaway delivery drivers. Wages are poor, holiday, sick leave entitlement is awful, I have held a succession of poorly paid jobs and don't get tipped, that makes me more aware of tipping and of the difference it can make.

TragicallyHip · 17/03/2011 20:29

It is the norm to tip. I wouldn't tip if I didn't like the cut tho.

Depends on how drunk I am as to whether I tip a cabbie! Grin

Elizadoesdolittle · 17/03/2011 20:31

I tend to pay by card and you can't add a tip on that so I end up getting caught out sometimes and not able to leave a tip. If I do remember to check I have cash I tend to tip around £5 but more often or not they get nothing as I don't have cash Blush

Fabi76 · 17/03/2011 20:32

I tip around 10% to the hairdresser (if it's not the owner of the salon) and the same for beauticians who do manicure. Sometimes a bit less, and in one salon where they do not allow to pay the tip with the debit card, if I don't have cash with me I don't tip, but feel bad.

BootyMum · 17/03/2011 20:45

Wow Pinner, Shock at £42 for a cut and Shock at then tipping £10...

I pay usually around £20 - £25 for my cut. I always used to pay around 10% tip or round it up - roughly anything from £2 to £5 tip dependent on what I have in my purse, given to the stylist.

However recently whilst on maternity leave and only paid stat mat pay I have become more stingey and only tip occasionally when I have spare change on me.
Previously I would have gone to the nearest cash machine to get money out for tip [if none on me] but not anymore... Feel a little guilty about this...

thinkingkindly · 17/03/2011 20:48

I pay £55 for my hair at Toni and Guy. I don't tip because it is expensive enough. I can't really justify the price that I spend - have definitely hit my limit.

PinkFondantFancy · 17/03/2011 20:57

I don't tip - bog standard haircut costs about £60 and if I get highlights it's more like £120 Shock. So actually I don't even really go to the hairdresser anymore, let alone tip them!!!

beesimo · 17/03/2011 21:01

I have been going to the same lovely hairdressers for about 25 years I now always go to with my 3DDs. The lads go to the barbers with their Father I always pay cash and leave £20 for the tip jar. As is normal for round here when its any juniors 18th or 21st they get a whip round I will put in £100. I always give Wedding Presents. I exchange Christmas presents with the owner and give the girls some money towards their Xmas night out usual £100. This may sound a lot but it is really good value for the service I get there. At the end of the day it means I always get in when I need to and always get good service.