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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not tip the hairdresser?

301 replies

sunnygemini · 30/07/2021 20:05

I had a good wash, cut and blow dry today, a lot of length off so almost a restyle. The hairdresser got it just right and took almost double the amount of time for the appointment (time not an issue for me).
It cost £55 which is more than I usually pay but I needed to get it booked in so was ok with this.
I've come away wondering if I should have tipped as it took the extra time and the hairdresser seemed to put in the effort to get it just right but I felt a bit awkward, how much do people tip? Do you tip cash separately if you pay by card? Is it expected not to tip when its that price?

I know there are much better things to worry over but I want to go back to the same place and don't want to feel awkward next time!

OP posts:
Dreamstate · 31/07/2021 20:00

@sunshinesky

These threads crack me up. How many of you have actually tried living on minimum wage?

Complaining about the cost of having your hair done as if the full amount is straight in the hairdressers pocket. Have a look how much professional colours and tools like scissors, clippers, dryers, washing machines, products, etc etc all cost. That's before you factor in the extra costs and reduced income from the Covid safety requirements. Mobiles have to pay for a vehicle, salons rent and rates.

Then those of you calculating 5(!!) clients a day tipping £5 when you've just said you don't tip Hmm

A few salon owners earn a good living out of it but most hairdressers just about get by.

Well then charge the prices you need to them its that simple! I don't complain about the cost of my hair done, I just think its ludicrous to hand over a tip.

I mean any decent business person, calculates their running costs and sets prices accordingly. You have to be a pretty bad business person to be running at a loss or rely on tips that aren't consistent

YorkshireIndie · 31/07/2021 20:04

No tip - I feel with the cost £££ they factor in that people do not tip.

pinatastick · 31/07/2021 20:10

I'm not a fan of the whole idea of tipping.

There are lots of jobs that only pay minimum wage, many of which don't get tips. They work just as hard as those like who do get tips. I guess it does touch a nerve a little because I only earn a few pence above minimum wage myself.

EffOrf · 31/07/2021 20:22

Shop assistants don't get tips, why should hairdressers, are they more special

Starseeking · 31/07/2021 20:29

I went to the hairdresser today. The Style Director I booked with did everything from wash my hair to an amazing tricky short cut. Cost me £78 for deep conditioning, wash, cut and dry. I tipped her £10.

I always tip service people who don't get paid well. They work hard and are usually on their feet all day, no doubt a few extra pounds in their pocket helps.

Knowivedonewrong · 31/07/2021 20:30

When I was a trainee hairdresser back in the 80's, tipping was very popular. The Client would tip the Junior who shampooed their hair, the hair stylist & the colour techichnician who'd done their colour or perm.

I don't tip my hairdresser now, as it's expensive & I know she earns comission on her services.

HidingBehindYetAnotherName · 31/07/2021 20:57

@sunshinesky
I’m a PAYE person. Why should I think about business overheads and all that crap?
I don’t think my hairdresser overcharges. I just don’t think it’s necessary to tip. My mother never did.

Sadsiblingatsea · 31/07/2021 21:01

It’s the custom to tip hairdressers.

User56439876 · 31/07/2021 21:11

Do they pay tax on them, is it a benefit in kind

19lottie82 · 31/07/2021 21:14

These threads crack me up. How many of
you have actually tried living on minimum
wage?

My hairdresser drives a Porsche. So I’m pretty sure he’s not on minimum wage 😂

CatsArePeople · 31/07/2021 21:15

I find it very rude not to tip. Unless they did a really shitty job.

StoneofDestiny · 31/07/2021 21:29

I suppose everyone who doesn’t tip their hairdresser also crosses off the 12.5% service charges on their restaurant bills every time

I always ask for this to be removed. Tips should be voluntary!

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 31/07/2021 21:37

I always ask for service charges to be removed too. Especially when a table of 12 have eaten and given them ample profit! Besides tips at restaurants don't always go to the server

Hotelhelp · 31/07/2021 21:43

Is it ok for this section of society to potentially be earning several thousand pounds per year untaxed though?

@sunshinesky the job is a choice.

Itsbeen84yearss · 31/07/2021 21:49

I don’t tip hairdressers. Most of them work for themselves

Cryalot2 · 31/07/2021 21:51

My opinion for what it is worth. I use a small but busy family run hairdresser, whose clients travel quite a distance because they are so good. Pre covid they opened early to do hair for special occasions, tea biscuits and chat.
I and adult daughter both mostly tip. Sometimes I round it off quite often it is £10 sometimes £5 occasionally I miss if no cash or it a tight week. But mostly both do the same.
We don't go that often as have simlar managable styles. ( long curly) which is a disaster if short.
When my hair fell out with long covid I was able to WhatsApp her and got great help. When we were ill she messaged to see how we were ,so not your average hairdresser. Treats all clients the same , we are like a big family.
They make my hair look great and me feel wonderful I am more than happy to tip it is well worth it.
We also trust them totally.

Anniecott · 31/07/2021 22:09

I've been hairdressing 30yrs a lot of training has gone into my career, I work. It's the owners decision how much we charge for our services and all of our bills goes directly to them, we get paid a wage, which is just above minimum wage, I don't know many other professions that get just above minimum wage for my level of experience, so yes tips are very much appreciated and if I'm honest, if I've done a good job expected. We aren't allowed to take tips on cards any more so my tips have dropped drastically and it makes a massive difference to me.

Dreamstate · 31/07/2021 23:42

@Anniecott

I've been hairdressing 30yrs a lot of training has gone into my career, I work. It's the owners decision how much we charge for our services and all of our bills goes directly to them, we get paid a wage, which is just above minimum wage, I don't know many other professions that get just above minimum wage for my level of experience, so yes tips are very much appreciated and if I'm honest, if I've done a good job expected. We aren't allowed to take tips on cards any more so my tips have dropped drastically and it makes a massive difference to me.
And you declare all your cash in hand tips every year do you?
Anniecott · 01/08/2021 00:00

@Dreamstate
Actually yes I do, as I am also set up as a home hairdresser, so all my cash that gets paid into my account is gone through with a fine tooth comb by my accountants every yr when I do my end of yr tax return. Is that ok with you??

Dreamstate · 01/08/2021 00:09

[quote Anniecott]@Dreamstate
Actually yes I do, as I am also set up as a home hairdresser, so all my cash that gets paid into my account is gone through with a fine tooth comb by my accountants every yr when I do my end of yr tax return. Is that ok with you?? [/quote]
Ao not exactly earning just above minimum wage then if your doing home hairdressing on top.

And there are plenty of people earning just above minimum wage in lots of other areas.

You know you say you've been doing it for 30yrs you have to wonder why you don't have a solid customer base you coikd of go on your for. My hairdresser rents a space out and does it all himself and even though he has been away inwoukdnt go to anyone else, I've waited for him to come back. So people are quite loyal to their hairdressers.

Anniecott · 01/08/2021 00:17

@Dreamstate
I was pointing out that salon based hairdressers rely on tips due to the bad wages and it doesn't matter how much you pay for your hair in the salon as this has nothing to do with them, and most myself included will have to do home hair to cover the short fall of that salon wage. I'm not about to explain to a stranger on the internet why I work the way I do, thank you very much.
Glad your happy with your hairdresser.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 01/08/2021 01:20

@Aprilx Nobody tips the plumber, electrician or accountant. Just the traditional female occupations, apparently because they don’t deserve to actually earn a proper living and should be reliant upon scraps from customers, somebody actually thought she was being good by giving £1. It is condescending.

I tip the plumber and electrician too. I tipped the gas heating engineer a tenner this week when he did the annual service on the boiler. I earn just above NMW so don't have money to burn but I find I get much better service in the future and they go out of their way to accommodate me next time. I know it is very much appreciated. I also know a delivery driver who is pleased with all the £1 tips which definitely help him feed his family.

Mummybasketball · 01/08/2021 01:26

It’s a restyle whatever you do

CeeceeBloomingdale · 01/08/2021 01:27

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

Hotel staff?! Since when do we have to tip them?!
Since always! The bar or restaurant staff, the concierge who keeps your bag safe after check out so you can enjoy the day or secures you tickets to a sell out show, housekeeping, room service etc etc
Tulips15 · 01/08/2021 01:31

I don't tip anywhere, ever.

I am ' one of those ' people.