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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:
Lakeshore6 · 30/07/2021 22:36

Tip the assistant that gowned you up, washed your hair, brought the teas etc, often they aren’t getting minimum wage as they are on apprenticeships.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 30/07/2021 22:38

I never tip my hairdresser - I go religiously every five weeks and pay a lot for it. I do always buy him a bottle of champagne at Christmas, and when lockdown ended I brought him gin, plus a big box of biscuits for the staffroom.

Tbh I consider him a friend, he owns the salon, and it would feel weird to add 10% to my bill at reception.

churchroad · 30/07/2021 22:39

“ I suppose everyone who doesn’t tip their hairdresser also crosses off the 12.5% service charges on their restaurant bills every time”
Totally wrong!
I always pay restaurant service, always tip cabbies, manicurist, tip the postie at Christmas and in lockdown, ocado at Christmas and those massive orders in lockdown, Deliveroo, the pizza guy, people who install or fix things if they do a great job, but no, I don’t tip my hairdresser who charges £250+. Maybe I have if I visit at Christmas but not every time. It’s a high value service so I don’t feel bad for not doing so.

Winemewhynot · 30/07/2021 22:40

@HalloHello

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! 😂😂😂
SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE BACK

I see more intimate areas than a professional waxer, give medication anally, have to break bad news on a daily basis etc etc but I’m the worst for not tipping my hairdresser for doing a lovely blow dry as part of her terribly hard job 😂

Yayayaya20 · 30/07/2021 22:40

If they’re getting apprentice wage whilst being an apprentice they’re getting the correct minimum wage ...

Lakeshore6 · 30/07/2021 22:45

@Yayayaya20

If they’re getting apprentice wage whilst being an apprentice they’re getting the correct minimum wage ...
If you’re under 19, that’s £4.30
Hydrate · 30/07/2021 22:55

I always tip.

Yayayaya20 · 30/07/2021 22:57

And if you’re under 19 you’re more than likely living at home with minimal outgoings? Apprenticeships and the related wages are designed for young adults who don’t have the same outgoings as older people.

Brissiegirl · 30/07/2021 23:01

@Lakeshore6

Tip the assistant that gowned you up, washed your hair, brought the teas etc, often they aren’t getting minimum wage as they are on apprenticeships.
They are still earning more than me so no, I don't tip. I go to hairdresser maybe once a year as my dd does a great job of trimmingy dead straight hair.
Lakeshore6 · 30/07/2021 23:04

@Yayayaya20

And if you’re under 19 you’re more than likely living at home with minimal outgoings? Apprenticeships and the related wages are designed for young adults who don’t have the same outgoings as older people.
Quite a generalisation.

I lived alone and I worked with a few who were pushing through family hardships just to do the job they loved.

The odd quid here or there is encouraging and means a lot more to the youngsters new to work and studying on the job.

episcomama · 30/07/2021 23:10

I tip pretty much everyone in the service industry. I'm
In the US so of course there is an expectation, but I actually prefer that to a "grey area" to be honest. I usually tip 20% but would go higher for exceptional service. The last time I was back in the UK my parents took us for dinner and the service was great. The bill came to around £200 and my Dad rounded up to the next ten pound. We were mortified, and went back to the table to add more when we realized. Cheap bugger 😀

Yayayaya20 · 30/07/2021 23:12

@Lakeshore6 according to Think Student 70% of 19 year olds still live at home so it’s an accurate generalisation.

Yesitsbess · 30/07/2021 23:13

I always thought that the tip for the hairdresser (the one for the shampoo person is a given) is because they 'rent' their chair. I.e unless they own the salon, and it's not a big name where they are an employee, they pay towards the rates with a day rate per chair. So on top of taxes, no holiday and no sick pay, they pay significant rent to do their job, so you lob them a bit of cash. Is that not the understanding now?

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 30/07/2021 23:15

On the rare occasion I get a taxi, I round up the fee if it's at the 'right' amount - eg if it's £8.50 I hand over a tenner and tell them to keep the change. But only if they haven't been gruff, rude sexist or creepy. Which is about 90% of male taxi drivers I meet.

No Ubers where I live.

chipsandgin · 30/07/2021 23:16

I know my hairdresser earns over 80k a year & I earn significantly less than that & have my hair done every 4 months rather than 3 as it’s so expensive (they all are where I live & cut/half head and roots are £160, hence her amazing income I guess!). So nope, don’t tip - some of her wealthier clients probably do but I think she knows I can’t! Can’t imagine what she’d think about a £1 tip though!!

SunshineandDaisies · 30/07/2021 23:20

I personally think, if the stylist is self employed/renting a chair then i probably wouldn't tip as I know the money will be going straight to them. If they are employed I'd 100% tip if they have done a good service. That £55 might have gone straight to the owner so it's nice to tip personally to show your appreciation to the stylist who done your hair especially as 'most' hairdressers are only on min wage and tips do mean alot.

SunshineandDaisies · 30/07/2021 23:26

80k a year Shock I'm definitely at the wrong salon where I earn min wage 😂

StoneofDestiny · 30/07/2021 23:27

I've stopped tipping since I moved hairdressers. I have always tipped hairdressers but never been comfortable with it - so decided to stop when I moved. I tip in restaurants sometimes - usually if it's a regular place. I do feel it's getting out of hand.

ElaineMarieBenes · 30/07/2021 23:35

My first job was waitressing and I still recall the joy of a tip - as a result I ‘tip’ everyone (including my hairdresser and everyone else including nurses! I had a lot of treatment recently and so I took in a large selection of goodies for the team to share having requested from my favourite nurse what would be most welcome). I didn’t tip my doctors as such but did write them thank you notes, which they alderman seemed to appreciate?

I don’t consider myself a ‘mug’ because often I think the joy I get is the greater.

carrieeee · 30/07/2021 23:37

I work in the beauty industry,
Tipping isn't expected but when clients do leave a tip it's a thank you, and good to know they are leaving happy.
Tips don't go through card machines because businesses get charged a percentage then it also goes towards the end of year accounts (which then gets taxed)

Personally, I tip my hairdresser but that's because I'm happy with the treatment and want to give her an extra thank you!

ElaineMarieBenes · 30/07/2021 23:37

Alderman? Both!!

Reminds me of a recent notice following the death of the person who invented predictive text:

May she rust in piss!

DanielTigersMummy21 · 30/07/2021 23:38

I always tip for a good haircut. Lots of hairdressers these days are self employed and actually paying for their space in the salon, so they don't get as much as you think they do. And they will remember a good tipper and make an effort for you next time!

BadLad · 30/07/2021 23:39

@ElaineMarieBenes

Alderman? Both!!

Reminds me of a recent notice following the death of the person who invented predictive text:

May she rust in piss!

I didn't know she'd been I'll.
me4real · 30/07/2021 23:41

I suppose it depends what money you have yourself, too. Like it's all very well for relatively well off people to say they tip everyone loads. Doesn't mean those of us who can't/don't are being mean- it's just not an option.

I'm definitely at the wrong salon where I earn min wage

@SunshineandDaisies Some people are getting all the money people pay. Which is quite a bit per hour. Do you mean that's your basic and then you get commissions?

Wantingtogetitright · 30/07/2021 23:45

@carrieeee do hairdressers etc pay tax on their tips? Whether employed or self employed?