Not to tip spa/hairdresser?

[becsparkel]

Went to my local spa/salon the other day as a treat (have a 7.5 mo, so this has been a long time coming). Had a lovely relaxing massage & haircut, which was brilliant. The whole thing was pretty expensive and they charged me an extra £10 because I was having a restyle. I don't usually tip spa's as I think they already charge extortionate amounts anyway but I might have tipped the hairdresser if they hadn't charged me an extra tenner.

What's the etiquette and AIBU not to tip the spa therapist and/or hairdresser? The receptionist gave me a dirty look when she saw I hadn't added anything, which makes me wonder if people generally do tip.

Hit me with it!

I always round up taxi fares to the next£1.50. Just habit with Black Cabs. And always 10% with beauty professionals. They aren't well paid and if I've found a good one and will want to come back it ensures god repeat service. Same for restaurant staff. But I don't if the service at any of the above was shite.

I don't think my hairdresser's charges are extortionate; they are very fair compared to the competition and she is better than the competition. I went to HeadMasters once when she was away and it was poor service and a poor cut for a higher price and no, I didn't leave a tip; neither did I go back.

I like the fact that if I have to go somewhere at short notice, she always fits me in and has stayed late or come in early to do so.

I do tip my hairdresser, but I don't think people should be obligated to tip. They're getting paid at the end of the day anyway.

If I'm flush, I tip my hairdresser. Because he is AMAZING. He did a very simple £12 wet cut five days before DS was born and in all the post birth pictures I look fecking marvellous - no styling, just a very, very good cut. Someone upthread said it's not how your hair is styled by the hairdresser, it's how it looks a week later when you've been left to your own devices.

It's about £15 for a wet cut now, but he is bloody brilliant. My mum times her visits to the UK to coincide with when she needs a haircut - she hasn't used another hairdresser for over 25 years.

I NEVER EVER EVER tip my hairdresser - it costs me £100 to get my highlights and a cut so I am not spending any more on a tip. No one tips me for doing their tax return, so why should I tip my hairdresser for doing her job?

Wow - people pay a lot to get their hair done - I pay £35 for a full head of highlights and a cut and blow dry - maybe I really should be tipping my hairdresser :O

My dad took me to Toni and guy when I was 15, for a cut and highlights. They were supposed to put 'lilac flashes' through it (I was a bit weird) but all they did was bleach bits of my hair and put a purple dye over ALL my hair so it went black. They charged my dad 179 quid. I thought he was going to die. Needless to say they didn't get tipped.

Late to the party here, but hey, I can't sleep so what the heck. :)

I don't believe it is really a proper custom to tip hairdressers in the UK, as I made it to 30 without realising people even did it at all! Add to that the fact that you can't tell if a haircut is any good till it's been washed and worn in, and I disagree with the notion of tipping for people doing their job anyway, no I don't tip my hairdresser. glossing over the fact I haven't yet had a haircut this year

Comparing the US is pointless - there is a genuine countrywide culture of tipping there, but we're talking about the UK and it simply isn't the same. Minimum wage exists for a reason, and customers are not responsible for the vendor's wages.

It's all too vague anyway, how much, how do you give it, when, where, how often, extra at Xmas, aargh - it's nice if people do tip, but it shouldn't be expected, and quite frankly it's crass to ask for a tip. So there.
Night then...

Just caught up with the rest of this thread.

I worked as a barmaid in the US when I was 21. I earnt $10 a shift (wages) which was a 6 hr shift normally. So yes, pretty rubbish. However, most days I took $200-$300 home in tips. (and this was in 1995)
So don't think that the barstaff are poor....they most certainly are not!! It's the best job I've ever had ...cash in hand!!!!
(although this was a downtown bar by the twin towers, so plenty of rich people coming in for food/drinks)

Should never have left that job.....;)

Still not tipping the hairdresser over here though..lol.
Oh and out of interest, where do people find hairdressers who will cut and colour for £45?! Every salon I've tried round here charges £65+.

I always tip both the hair stylist and the junior who washes my hair. Makes a blowdry expensive tho

I don't tip-it costs a lot in the first place.
I would abolish all tipping-I hate it.

And that would include bankers and bonuses. People should just get paid a decent amount in the first place.