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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About tipping in America

330 replies

AnnaLiza · 30/08/2012 20:52

I was in LA last week and decided to get a haircut so I went to a salon near the hotel which had good reviews. The owner was the sole hairdresser and did a decent job at cutting my hair but it was by no means the best haircut I've ever had. Anyway, when I was paying ($85) his secretary asked "so are you leaving a tip for Nico today?". I must have gone purple as I was not expecting that...I then said "I don't think it's necessary" and hurried out as quick as I could, feeling like the meanest person ever, which I'm not at all.
I can just about undertstand tipping the waiter when there's no national minimum and they rely on tips for a living...but what's the justification for asking for a tip when you're a professional who charges $85 for a haircut? I find it very rude to be asked for money and then made to feel like shit for not forking out more. If you think $85 is not enough then just charge more and let people decide if they want to pay for your services.
Am I missing something?

OP posts:
Toombs · 30/08/2012 20:54

Tipping in America is second nature, quite normal.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/08/2012 20:56

Everyone tips everyone for everything in North America. It's just part of the cost. I live in Canada and I tip my really expensive hairdresser 20%.

I wouldn't mind but they travel and ruin other places. Now, when you go to parts of Africa and SE Asia, which used to not be tipping places, they all expect a tip. My DH Canadian tries to tip in pubs in the UK and bar staff run after him telling him he has forgotten his change Grin

KitchenandJumble · 30/08/2012 20:56

In the U.S. it is customary to tip a hairdresser.

I'm not sure of the etiquette involved if the owner of the salon is also the hairdresser, though. I've never encountered that situation before.

kim147 · 30/08/2012 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 30/08/2012 20:57

Tipping in America is compulsory! It really is like a law over here Smile. But I've had almost a decade here to get used to it [grim]

And I just got my hair cut yesterday ($50) and tipped $10 (i.e. 20%). Quite normal.

And yes, when I go home, I have to readjust my tipping habits :)

AKissIsNotAContract · 30/08/2012 20:57

YABU. I'd tip my hairdresser in the UK. I'd definitely tip in the US as it's just how they do things.

ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 30/08/2012 20:58

[grim] should read Grin But that's quite the Freudian Slip....

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/08/2012 20:58

My hairdresser is the owner, I tip her.

PooPooOnMars · 30/08/2012 20:59

I agree, its annoying!

Do people really tip when they've bought a drink!?

bamboostalks · 30/08/2012 21:01

I always tip the hairdresser. Thought t hat was standard?

Original poster
AnnaLiza · 30/08/2012 21:03

Tipping the hairdresser in the UK? I've never done that nor seen anyone do that either...

OP posts:
NurseRatched · 30/08/2012 21:03

I understand about tipping in the USA, etc... but am still agog at the [imho] cheeky "so are you leaving a tip for Nico today?".

Original poster
AnnaLiza · 30/08/2012 21:05

And asking for a tip is rude IMO. What if you really didn't like what they did but were just too polite to complain?

OP posts:
Lambzig · 30/08/2012 21:05

I am in the UK and have always tipped my hairdresser 20%. I thought everyone did.

worldcitizen · 30/08/2012 21:07

at least 10% is expected (even if you hated the service)
15% is the norm
20% reflects your high satisfaction with the service

worldcitizen · 30/08/2012 21:10

I am here in Germany where tiping is not the norm and not at all comparable to the U.S. however there are exceptions

hairdressers
waiters and waitresses
taxi-drivers
handymen (sometimes tip OR buy them beer, offer coffee, or even sandwiches

there might be some others I can't think of now

oh yes also bar maids and other bar personnel after they served you for more than one drink and kept a tab for you, for example

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/08/2012 21:11

YY to worldcitizen that is exactly what we do. 10% means the service was crap.

worldcitizen · 30/08/2012 21:12

Yep crap, but still expected and one really would come across as socially debilitated Hmm if not following with this social norm

BandersnatchCummerbund · 30/08/2012 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 30/08/2012 21:14

Oh I tip my hairdresser and I'm tight as a monkeys chuff.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/08/2012 21:14

Too true. DH would die of Blush if we didn't leave anything. Even to the annoying waitress who was flirting with him in front and me and I had to loudly say, "if she touches you again, there will be trouble". Grin

wonkylegs · 30/08/2012 21:16

I always find it funny where people draw the line with tipping. Personally I only tip for exceptional service, not bog standard service. I don't buy the low pay argument after all would you tip the helpful checkout assistant in the supermarket or the rare GP receptionist whose gone out of her/his way to help? Where do you draw the line I think it varies enormously by region? Each place I live seems to have completely different ideas.

valiumredhead · 30/08/2012 21:18

Always tip in America, always.

NapaCab · 30/08/2012 21:18

I live in the US and didn't tip the hairdresser last time. She didn't give me the cut I wanted though and was 20 mins late for my appointment so I didn't think she deserved one. She suggested a certain hair style for me and I said that I'd had it before and didn't like it but she went ahead and gave me that cut anyway Hmm. It did look fine but I just don't personally like that cut (it makes me look like my mother) and had made that clear.

When I was leaving there was an awkward pause while I was paying but I just brazened it out. I cancelled the next appointment they'd scheduled for me.

Now, I have a tipping question: can anyone tell me if you're supposed to tip the people who pack your bags at the supermarket and help you out to your car? I've had some awkward pauses from them as well but feel really weird giving them cash because they offer to do it. I wouldn't have a clue how much to give them either, $5?

worldcitizen · 30/08/2012 21:19

I have such trouble with the supposedly good service, which then isn't even good. My main issue is when eating out

constantly asking how we're doing, if everything is fine, do we need anything else, would we wish to order something else....and all of the sudden they put the bill on your table, even though I haven't even asked for it...YET Confused