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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU not to tip my hairdresser

184 replies

wallowinwater · 14/02/2018 15:53

I am genuinely confused about this... I have no idea how to handle this - do most people tip? Not tip? Also if you do how much? Do you just hand it to the hairdresser (feels weird). I used to tip and have stopped...

OP posts:

Gemini69 · 14/02/2018 17:36

Its not, its a polite gesture. It is also not written in to law that you must say thankyou to staff, though it is again polite to do so

Social etiquette determines that we MUST hand our hard earned monies over to people for a Service you're already paying for ? really ?

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 14/02/2018 17:38

I don't 'tip', as it were, because I don't like the arbitrary distinction of who is worthy. I'm quite phobic about having my head touched so a friend cuts my hair when I pluck up the courage and I buy her a gift at Christmas. I also give gifts to our wonderful postman and milkman who both frequently go above and beyond the call of duty.

falang · 14/02/2018 17:40

Always tip hairdresser, junior, taxi drivers, and waiters. I think it's mean not to. But my hairdresser is very cheap.

Ravenesque · 14/02/2018 17:40

I tip depending on how much of a bargain the cut was. Generally a fiver. I can't afford it, but I figure they don't get paid much, so they deserve it. N.b. If I hate my hair I don't tip, but that hasn't happened for ages.

CoffeeOrSleep · 14/02/2018 17:40

I used to tip when I went to the hairdressers, usually not 10% but would give a fiver. However I now have a home stylist, so as it's her own business, seems odd to tip on top of that.

I always thought certain roles it was understood you would be tipping, so wages and prices reflect that. Hairdressing is one of those.

upsideup · 14/02/2018 17:41

Gemini69

I never said you 'MUST' do anything.
You can and it is nice to do so.

JaneEyre70 · 14/02/2018 17:41

I always find it very awkward - I have my hair done every 5-6 weeks and it costs around £80 each time. So I resent being expected to add more to it, with parking at £5 each time too it's a very expensive luxury. However I did give her £20 at Christmas, as she's a very talented young hairdresser that I'd be gutted to lose.

fusushumi · 14/02/2018 17:41

SmashingInAthleticWear I leave it on the counter in front of the mirror and when she finds it she comes over to me and says thank you so that I know she's got it. I started doing it this way because I observed it was what other people did.

Scaredofthegym · 14/02/2018 17:43

I always tip at least 10% - usually more cos I love my current hairdresser, she's mobile and always fits me in/does a great job. Also I can afford it but must admit I've always tipped even when I didn't have much money. I'm shocked at the amount of people saying they don't tip - I thought it was pretty much a given that you tip hairdressers/waiters/and sometimes taxi drivers!

Maybe I'm too generous!

MissClareRemembers · 14/02/2018 17:43

I very rarely tip. I would if I was at a restaurant and part of a large group though, but probably only because other people were tipping. I do tip the barbers who do my DCs hair because they are so brilliant with them AND make me coffee! It’s a very relaxing experience all in all!

I tend to pay between £50 and £150 for my hair depending on what needs doing. I only do it couple of times a year and I don’t want to add on a potential extra £5 - £15.

mumpoints · 14/02/2018 17:45

I just do it when I pay. Just hand over the money (normally paid for the cut with a card) and say "Have a coffee/drink on me" (depending on how much I've got in change!)

Thequeenisdeadboys · 14/02/2018 17:45

gemini Its the done thing in hair salon. Always has been. I wouldn't tip a shoddy job though but obviously if I'm happy with the service I will. And if supermarket staff were particularly helpful and were allowed to accept tips I would do that too ! My god.. a recent trip to America was an eye opener..literally everyone expects a tip !

Gemini69 · 14/02/2018 17:45

I never said you 'MUST' do anything.
You can and it is nice to do so

Saying Thank you is very nice to do ....

Handing pocket Cash over to someone for doing a service you're already paying for .. is not necessary...

BitchQueen90 · 14/02/2018 17:46

I don't tip mine. She is self employed and has a very extensive list of clients, therefore her prices are quite high. She is very skilled at what she does but I'm not well off myself and paying for my hair costs the same as a week's rent for me!

If I were going to somebody who was employed in a salon on a low wage then I would tip.

Seniorcitizen1 · 14/02/2018 17:47

I never tip and would never accept a tip either - they and I get paid to deliver good service/work

Gemini69 · 14/02/2018 17:49

My god.. a recent trip to America was an eye opener..literally everyone expects a tip

This is where my bug bear arises.. I'm in the USA alot for work... I loathe the Tipping culture.. but the wages are made up by tips.. I understand that .. but you hit the nail on the head.... everyone EXPECTS a Tip.. are we now adopting this culture in the UK.. I certainly hope not... people can claim Tax Credits etc here.... it's not the same culture as the USA atall ..

Thequeenisdeadboys · 14/02/2018 17:54

No gemini but taxi drivers, hair stylists (obv not senior directors etc..) and the like are not high earners and very much appreciate the gesture.

upsideup · 14/02/2018 17:56

Gemini69

Again, nobody is saying you have to do anything!

chocatoo · 14/02/2018 17:56

I go to a small local salon every month, bill is generally £50 or a bit less. I have my hair cut and dried by the owner - I don't tip her, however the junior puts my colour on and brings me coffee and I do tip her, approx £3 or £4

lololove · 14/02/2018 17:59

I always tip my hairdresser - a cut for both of us is £15 so I usually call it £17.50 - £20 at Christmas. Always tip taxi drivers.

Don't really use anyone else who needs tipping.

Gemini69 · 14/02/2018 18:00

No gemini but taxi drivers, hair stylists (obv not senior directors etc..) and the like are not high earners and very much appreciate the gesture

and I too would appreciate the gesture if someone was handing me 'cash in hand' every time I dropped them off at a destination or styled/ blowdried/cut their hair.. you'd struggle to find someone who wouldn't appreciate it....

my point is this...

is this 'gesture' becoming... Expected ? what was once a nice small tip... has become an expectation to top up Wages.. plus on top that.. Tax Credits .. which low earners have access too .. unlike the Waitresses/Hairdressers etc in the USA...

Numpty0 · 14/02/2018 18:01

I tend to tip my hair dresser between £3 and £5 a cut. My dad used to when I was little, so I just kind of assumed it was normal and carried it on ever since I was old enough to pay for my own hair cuts.

silverteaspoon · 14/02/2018 18:07

I tip 10% at hairdresser, beauty therapist, taxi driver and in restaurants.
DS worked at a foodie pub last summer and the management took all the tips, apparently it's legal
My dad always tips 10% of his stay at a hotel, he's not terribly well off but was outraged when we didn't. I leave £10 for the chambermaids.

steff13 · 14/02/2018 18:10

This is where my bug bear arises.. I'm in the USA alot for work... I loathe the Tipping culture.. but the wages are made up by tips.

Really only wait staff have low wages because of tips. In any other position, you eaten at least minimum wage.

steff13 · 14/02/2018 18:10

Earn, not eaten.

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