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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:
FernieB · 30/07/2021 21:17

@Wantingtogetitright

If 5 clients tip £5 5 days per week over 48 weeks that’s £6k in cash tips.
And if the tips are cash, are they declared and taxed? That's £6K tax free income potentially!
MrsSnitchnose · 30/07/2021 21:17

I always tip my hairdresser and my tattoo artist. Both go above and beyond to achieve the results I want and so deserve something extra for their efforts

Staffy1 · 30/07/2021 21:18

@Katefoster

I don't tip taxi drivers. I only tip at restaurants and hairdressers
I wasn’t going to the first time I used one in this country, but the cheeky git said by the way, people usually give tips in this country, so I have since then.
Planty13 · 30/07/2021 21:19

I wouldn’t tip. The prices are set and agreed before hand.

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 30/07/2021 21:19

I work in a private school, we have a number of hairdresser's kids who attend. My own hairdresser drives a £40k Range Rover. She doesn't need a tip

Wantingtogetitright · 30/07/2021 21:19

@FernieB I think you know that answer to that! I’m not sure how it would work with the ones that get rounded up on the card machine but many will still be cash. Even if they declare some to look legit it won’t be all.

Katefoster · 30/07/2021 21:19

@Staffy1 omg is that in the UK!? Cheeky bugger!

Notonthestairs · 30/07/2021 21:20

"And if the tips are cash, are they declared and taxed? That's £6K tax free income potentially!"

Well they clearly aren't making 6k tax free if this thread is anything to go by.

Hyppogriff · 30/07/2021 21:21

I always tip. My hair usually costs around 150 maybe a little more and I give 10 tip

LittlefairyMum · 30/07/2021 21:21

Of course you should have tipped. How mean

MinnieMountain · 30/07/2021 21:22

I don’t tip hairdressers. Or taxi drivers. I’d like to not tip at restaurants but DH always does it for us.

Wantingtogetitright · 30/07/2021 21:23

@LittlefairyMum can you explain why it’s mean?

HotPenguin · 30/07/2021 21:26

I wouldn't tip, and I hate tipping generally. I'd rather people just charged the price they expect to get, if they want 60 not 55 then change the price list.

HalloHello · 30/07/2021 21:26

I worked my feckin arse off over 40 hours a week for 10 years as a Nurse. Nice to everyone even when they were twats, held the hands of those who are scared, pepped people up when they needed it. Blow dried elderly ladies hair and cut their nails when there family wouldn't, looked after upset and angry and aggressive relatives. As well as all the work that I was ACTUALLY meant to be doing. I never got a tip, never got a paid for Christmas night out. Nothing. But my hair dresser who does her job and is pleasant for 90 mins, she should get 10%? Nah mate. No way. I don't tip anyone and I'm not ashamed. We do not live in America where wait staff don't get a minimum wage. They're paid the same as others who do a very similar job and most of couldn't give a shit about you! 😂😂😂

BichonFrizz · 30/07/2021 21:27

I don't tip. I pay a lot for my hair and I have nothing complex. I usually feel bumped it costs as much as it does.

My hairdresser also has a brand new car. Several expensive foreign holidays a year. Regular nail appointments. All which she works hard for - granted. I earn a lot less than her. Im a single parent. I'm not tipping on top of that and if you feel mortified for me then that's fine. I'd rather spend my money on school shoes than financing my hairdressers pina coladas

Staffy1 · 30/07/2021 21:30

@Katefoster, yes, but he was a bit of a prat in general. All the taxi drivers since have been quite decent.

MrsDThomas · 30/07/2021 21:33

I dont tip. I just don’t want.

ittakes2 · 30/07/2021 21:33

I don't tip my hairdresser - its expensive enough already! But I do give her money at christmas, and I did before and after the lockdowns plus I just gave her £50 for a wedding present. I would rather give her a decent tip at christmas rather than £5 each time since I have to go regularly now I am going grey...

AuntieMarys · 30/07/2021 21:34

I go every 6 weeks...pay between £90 and £125 depending on what I have. Give £10 cash.

ramarama · 30/07/2021 21:34

I don't tip. I think it's about 50/50 as to whether it is the norm in more expensive London salons.

Hairdresser once told me it's ok to not tip your stylist, but you should def tip the junior who shampoos you? I feel a bit overwhelmed by that and never have the right/enough change anyway, so just ignore the whole thing (as do many other people)

At London prices it seems ridiculous to pay more than asked.

And its up to your stylist whether they spent extra time on your blow dry - they only do it if they don't have another client waiting.

Gilly12345 · 30/07/2021 21:36

I rarely tip as I pay cash and am not a fan of tipping, the price is the price in my opinion.

I will tip staff in restaurants as I know it is appreciated and the pay is not great working in hospitality and the work demanding.

19lottie82 · 30/07/2021 21:37

I don’t tip my hairdresser, he’s self employed, owns the business and obviously does alright for himself. He’s not cheap either!

If a junior washes my hair, doesn’t do a terrible job and is polite, then I’ll tip her a fiver.

Katypyee · 30/07/2021 21:38

I would have tipped. I also would have tipped more generously than usual because of the extra time, effort, and care put in.

If eating in restaurants I tend to add a percentage of between 12-15% of the bill. I usually average 15% but do go up to 20% if the service is exceptionally good.

For services such as beauty (Nails, hair, waxing, etc) I tend to tip a monetary amount rather than a percentage as often the bill is higher.

For what you paid, I would have tipped £5 to £10 extra. Lots of hairdressers rent a chair in a salon. For those that are employed, they often are not paid as well.

I do admit I find tipping socially awkward but would feel embarrassed if I didn't do it.

Osrie · 30/07/2021 21:41

I used to tip but always felt awkward. Rich people tip I can’t afford to.

It used to be that it went to the junior washing your hair. They started having varying prices for experienced hairdressers so my hairdressers started going up and up in seniority and their charges became more than I get paid. Eventually I stopped and feel much more comfortable. Fixed price I know how much I am paying for a job well done. I do my best at work and never get tips or bonuses.

silverbubbles · 30/07/2021 21:41

I never tip the hairdresser. Why on earth would you when they charge £55!!!

Hardly minimum wage is it???