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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

mouffloncake · 17/03/2011 22:31

I own a salon & do the beauty treatments myself. I rent space for hairdressing. We dont get tipped (very often) as it is our own business. Thats fine.

When I was employed, I got tipped.
It's not expected, so dont feel bad.

Honeybee79 · 17/03/2011 22:34

I don't tip mine. Have been going to the same place for years, know them all well and know they get paid decently. Plus they charge a sodding fortune anyway! .

bellavita · 17/03/2011 22:42

I tip my hairdresser £2 and the girl who washes £1.

I always tip a cab driver.

moonstonezoe · 18/03/2011 10:02

thinkingkindly how do you get away with it? I have used several Toni and Guy salons and the stylist always accompanies me to the till, stands there expectantly while I pay and finally blocks my exit (almost) until I tip them. I thought this behaviour must be part of their training.

Aworryingtrend · 18/03/2011 10:16

Those of you who tip the hair washing girl, how do you do that? Do you give her money then or, go back, after you've paid at the main desk? Aren't they usually busy washing someone else's hair by then?
Its an ettiquette minefield.

mmsmum · 18/03/2011 10:22

I tip 10%, give or take a few £ to round it up/down

I used to be a hairdresser and if someone didn't tip me I would be trying to figure what went wrong, did I say something? Was it the cut? Style? When I was training I needed tips for my lunch and bus home, wages aren't as bad as they used to be now that minimum wage has come in, but that is all they are paid, they rely on tips

I would only never tip anyone if the service was awful, for example I don't tip rude waiting staff.

mmsmum · 18/03/2011 10:23

Re. how to tip. My stylist, who is also the owner, goes to the till and rings it up for me, I give him the tip and tell him to split it with the girl who washed my hair.

NewTeacher · 18/03/2011 10:44

I find tipping to be the hardest thing to decide to do or not to do!

The checkout girl doesnt get tipped at Tesco? So why tip the hairdresser? When you tip at a restaurant you tip the waitress but what about the chef making the meal or the barman? They get paid the same dont they?

I find it all confusing. If I get some fantastic service and someone has made the experience really good for me then I will tip. If they do the basics, then I dont.

wellwisher · 18/03/2011 10:45

I ask the girl her name when she's washing my hair, then at the end when I am at the desk paying for my haircut I hand over the right amount of cash and say "please give this to Arabella" or whatever her name is.

I actually have some tiny envelopes (dinner money ones from Poundland) so if I'm really organised I put the tips in these before I get to the salon and nip to the loo after my hairwash to write the name on the shampoo girl's one!

PepsiPopcorn · 18/03/2011 10:59

YANBU

I don't really see why a tiny number of jobs deserve a tip whereas most don't.

mmsmum · 18/03/2011 11:52

personal service = tips, surely?

Some restaurants combine tips and share out amongst all staff, some don't. I don't think they should after all it is the serving staff that have provided the service

The is a huge difference in America where almost everyone tips everyone and the service there is amazing, I felt like royalty and I think it's a much better way than here

thinkingkindly · 18/03/2011 11:58

moonstone, I just pay by card and don't have cash with me. I thought they were trained not to stand there expectantly - am sure that T&G used to discourage tipping (or perhaps I just want to think that). I get on great with this hairdresser and the previous one so it doesn't seem to affect the relationship. Be strong!

poopnscoop · 18/03/2011 12:03

I tip my hairdresser £5-£8, depends how many hours she's been slaving away, I have very long, curly hair, highlights, the whole toot.

I tip the hair washer £2 or so.

I am aware some people tip the Ocado delivery guys, but I never have - the thought has never crossed my mind tbh.

cornsilk678 · 18/03/2011 12:06

I tip the haidresser and colourist - about £3 each.

mollymole · 18/03/2011 12:07

i don't tip my hairdresser but I do buy her and the washing girl a gift at christmas

expatinscotland · 18/03/2011 12:11

Another reason I cut my own hair.

Asinine · 18/03/2011 12:11

I don't normally tip all year but then give a tenner at Christmas

ladydeedy · 18/03/2011 12:47

I dont tip at hairdressers. I have a wet cut every four weeks and pay the £20 by card. It gets cut by the owner who is now kind of a friend too so it's a bit awkward. I would just rather they raised the price by a couple of quid and be done with it!

I tip in restaurants if service is really good, but not otherwise.

frgr · 18/03/2011 12:52

I don't tip.

I never carry cash for ANYTHING apart from a few quid for a magazine now and then - and I find the whole tipping business terribly awkward and cringe worthy. I wouldn't tip in so many other "non essential" places, so I don't see the point in raising that horrible moment where you try and explain what tip you'd like to leave, and if it can be left on a card, and if it can't, is there an ATM, or whatver.

i would rather they just add a fiver onto every price on the list when i come in and then totally avoid the tipping issue. then i can decide if i'm happy with the price or not without any of that faff involved too.

sausagerollmodel · 18/03/2011 13:42

I don't tip hairdresser but I buy her a bottle of wine or chocolates at Christmas. It's a way of showing appreciation, but cheaper and less embarrrassing than tips.

Original poster

MrsSatsuma · 18/03/2011 20:05

It seems I'm not the only confused/undecided one! Thank you very much - I now feel much clearer on the whole issue!

OP posts:

noodle69 · 18/03/2011 20:09

No definitely dont ever tip anyone. I only get paid £6 an hour for looking after loads of children. Practically all other jobs that you tip for get paid more or the same for doing a job thats way easier than mine so I dont tip them.

follyfoot · 18/03/2011 20:12

My haircuts cost £28 which frankly is a bargain given how wonderful my hairdresser is. I give him about 10% on top rounded up so £31 in total at current prices. Bargain.

ThisFeelsWeird · 18/03/2011 20:13

Sorry, I don't tip hairdressers. It's expensive enough. I do in restaurants, but only because I feel self-conscious if I don't. Really, really, really hate tipping taxi drivers, mostly because they seem to expect it more than anyone else - for what?????

Not tipping hasn't affected my "relationship" with the girl who cuts my hair - it's not like she cuts it wonky the next time. i thik she just accepts that I don't do it. £55 to trim a straight line along my one-length hair is quite steep enough, thank you.

Dancergirl · 18/03/2011 20:18

I hate, hate, hate tipping with a passion. Hairdressers, taxi drivers, waiters....everything.

I would rather they put the price up for everyone by a couple of quid and not bother with the tip. At least people would know where they were. I like things to cost what they say it should cost if you see what I mean.

In answer to your question, I v rarely tip hairdressers - it's so expensive as it is.

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