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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not tip my hairdresser?

164 replies

hypermum1 · 02/03/2013 16:20

I have been going to her for years and always spend over £100 per visit (once every couple of months) but I never tip her. I think the hair cut is expensive enough let alone adding a tip! And I guess the standard is 10/15% which adds another £10-20 to the whole thing! But the lady before me tipped and now I feel bad for not......! What to do think?

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 02/03/2013 19:32

Exactly - checkout assistants are probably on par- it is mad that they are supposed to tip hairdressers.

valiumredhead · 02/03/2013 19:33

I won't get a haircut unless I can easily afford a good tip as well

Why?

I think tipping is from the times when hairdresser typically didn't earn very much so you bumped their wages up.

Domjolly · 02/03/2013 19:38

I dont tip i can just about afford to get my hair done as it is

Meringue33 · 02/03/2013 19:38

My little sister is in a v senior post at a well known hairdressing chain and has 14 years exp. She makes NMW plus commission. When the appointment book isn't full or people cancel - no commission. Poor T&C too. She works bloody long hours esp over Christmas etc and tips are a major factor keeping her going.

ChestyLeRoux · 02/03/2013 19:39

Lots of people work long hours though and dont get tipped.If you cant afford it there shouls be no pressure

BettyandDon · 02/03/2013 19:40

Had my hair done today. It cost £255. I nearly fell over. That is at least £100 more than I have ever paid before. It was colour, highlights and tint, cut and blow dry and took 3 hours. I think what the hairdresser did was ok but nowhere near amazing. No way she was getting a tip on top of that. Even if It was my best ever hairdo I can't afford to go back.

I did buy a lottery ticket tonight to see if I can win back some cash Hmm.

Squeakygate · 02/03/2013 19:42

I usually tip my hairdresser a small amount, if i have money in my purse.
I always tip when she cuts the dc hair. She is very cheap though, paid £10 including tip for the last trip to hairdressers with dc.
I always get her gift at xmas and the dc choose something for her too. Randomly we take her sweets as she has a sweet tooth!

Squeakygate · 02/03/2013 19:44

betty thats shocked me. Will you go back?

FelicityWasCold · 02/03/2013 19:46

I don't tip my hairdresser - not because I'm morally opposed, more because I'm Inept... I mean WHEN and HOW do you physically do it?

Idocrazythings · 02/03/2013 19:49

Never occurred to me?

NotAnotherPackedLunch · 02/03/2013 19:49

I always find handing over cash to each of the people who have done my hair a bit awkward.
How should I be tipping to make sure the right people get the tip and yet not feel awkward and embarassed?

cathers · 02/03/2013 19:50

I never tip when my hair is done as it costs £65 which I feel is enough to pay for a cut, colour and dry. I do tip when the dc's hair is done though as it is about£11 so round it up to £15.

yuleheart · 02/03/2013 19:51

betty bloody hell! did you not ask why so much?

I'm having a bleach wash, colour, cut and blow dry this coming week and my hairdresser has told me exactly how much each one will cost.

DTisMYdoctor · 02/03/2013 19:53

I don't tip every visit as like others, I can pay between £50 and £100 depending on if I'm getting a colour done, and the salon owner does my hair so he's already getting a bigger cut than another stylist would. I really like the salon though, so at Christmas I normally give £10-£20 and ask him to pass it to the hair washers/juniors or put it in their Christmas drinks kitty.

FrillyMilly · 02/03/2013 19:55

I only tip for exceptional service. Last time I went to the hairdressers I tipped her for the first time because she did a really good job. It was £83 and I rounded it up to £85 so not a huge amount. I've never tipped a beautician but put a couple of quid in the tub at Christmas. I put a couple of quid in the tubs at Christmas in the local butchers, news agents and chips shop too. Other than that I rarely tip.

exoticfruits · 02/03/2013 19:59

I would like everyone paid properly and do away with all tips and bonuses.

StuntGirl · 02/03/2013 20:01

I would never not get my hair cut because I couldn't afford the discretionary tip on top of it Hmm I pay for the service rendered, my hairdresser gets paid for her work. The fact that it's poorly paid for long hours is not my business, I work long hours for NMW too but my customers don't supplement my wages.

If the wages are an problem its a wider issue of NMW not being a liveable standard, not that some customers don't tip.

Fluffy1234 · 02/03/2013 20:04

I always tip and thought everyone did. I give about 15 to 20 percent and a bit extra at christmas. I give £1 to the lady that washes my hair and 15 percent for my boys hair cut. I couldn't afford £100 for a hair cut though. I just pay £18 and £12 for my boys.

Fluffy1234 · 02/03/2013 20:11

Spending £100 on your hair and not tipping a fiver sounds pretty tight to me.

EeyoresGloomyPlace · 02/03/2013 20:11

betty Shock and Shock again at that price!!

I don't tip, it's expensive enough at £80 to £100 a time. I only go a couple of times a year as I just can't afford to spend that kind of money regularly on my hair. Wish I could though I do love getting a few hours off and having a pamper. Perhaps of I could afford to go regularly I'd have more of a rapport with a particular hairdresser and would be more inclined to tip but as it is I don't.

If someone has provided a fantastic service I let them know and thank them, very occasionally a tip if it seems appropriate but Where do you draw the line, restaurants? hairdressers? taxi drivers?

Fluffy1234 · 02/03/2013 20:14

Yes, yes and yes.

exoticfruits · 02/03/2013 20:17

I don't see how you do without it being embarrassing- I pay by credit card. There are no tins or anything.

Fluffy1234 · 02/03/2013 20:21

I'd be embarrassed not to. I pay by credit card and then take the change out of my purse that I have deliberately made sure I have and then hand it to him or her and say " this is for you" I then have another £1 and I ask her to give it to the lady who washed my hair.

MonstrousPippin · 02/03/2013 20:25

You're all making me feel bad because it's never even occurred to me to tip my hairdresser even though she's excellent and a really nice person. I tip taxis and at restaurants as well so am feeling particularly stupid for not even thinking of it. If it's true about the crappy pay then I'll definitely tip next time.

Do you give cash? I don't even know how to do it.. don't want to be patronising or anything.

notactuallyme · 02/03/2013 20:34

I'd rather pay more in the first place. Tbh, its not based on anything but expectation now - no discretion on whether it was a good experience etc, just a general need to add a fiver to what you plan to spend on a meal, a taxi, or a hairdresser.
Mum and I went and got our nails done yesterday and she kept hissing at me to tip - decided not to. It was a one off for her birthday, and a fiver more from my overdraft is just ridiculous.