How can I get out of not tipping my hairdresser this week?

[SheKnittedHimAJumper]

I love him. He is a really good hairdresser. Trouble is, he is getting more expensive each time I go. Last time I went it was £48 and I gave him £55. This week I really cant afford to leave more than a couple of quid and, I feel awful. Should I just give him the full amount? Its the way they hang around at the end, I cant stand it!!!

What wrong with a couple of quid? But I loathe any form of tipping tbh

Could you leave it an extra couple of weeks between cuts so that you can afford to leave a bit more?
I think that 10% is usual for a hairdresser.

i never tip the hairdresser. You are paying a very good hourly rate!

I never tip. My hairdresser knows this. At christmas if I have an appointment I'll give him champagne or wine.

I never tip hairdressers. Except at Christmas, when I give my regular cutter £20.

My colourist owns the franchise. I reckon she's on a better whack than me. I can't imagine pressing a sweaty fiver into her hand.

And to be honest, I've probably paid for their house over the last 15 years

I think they'd rather have the repeat custom.

Just give him £50. I'm sure he puts his price at £48 with the thought that people will give £50 and tell him to keep the change. £2 tip is fine.

Felt like I had to comment as I use to be a hairdresser.
It's fine not to tip a lot of customers don't it is expensive to get your hair done.

But to the comment about getting a great hourly rate unless the stylist owns the salon they certainly don't get a good rate I left due to how ridiculous the % was, I was getting 33% of what I was earning a week.

OK what... I did not know you were supposed to tip your HD. I'm from NZ and I had no idea?! Uhh I feel quite bad now - although at my hairdressers I pay someone else at the desk? So how does that work??

So do we but, they tend to follow you to the desk to make your next appointment which you cancel once you get home get your coat, chit chat to you and open the door. Finally, you feel so guilty you give them any notes you have in your bag.

I used to tip 10% but tbh I can't afford to now . I don't feel like it's expected ,I pay £40 for cut and last time forked out £110 for colour and cut, my stylist knows I'm not going to tip because she always asks if I want a treatment and I ususally say I can't afford it.
Mention how hard up you are when he's cutting ..he'll get the message.

Why do people tip hairdressers? Do you tip the checkout girl at Tesco too?

hairdressing is a skill and it's nice to personally acknowlege it

you wouldn't tip a checkout person as they don't really have much input into the final result

I wouldn't think of tipping my hairdresser either. Southeastastra, the man who does my gardening also has skills as does the man who painted my home - but I wouldn't tip them either.

I think tipping hairdressers started because apprentices used to wash your hair and they were on virtually no money so a couple of pounds was a big deal. Then some flash buggers started tipping everyone

I do tip but I have to admit to doing so somewhat begrudgingly in the UK, especially when my hair is being done by someone senior who clearly earns a very good salary.

Mr Pink sets it straight on tipping

I always leave a couple of quid for the person who washes my hair, thought that was the 'done thing'? In the salons I go to, they put all tips in one pot and share out equally. Seems fair to me? If you feel uncomfortable about not tipping, just give him £50? I think that would be a fair compromise.

I use little dinner money envelopes (from Poundland!) and either prepare tips in advance or nip to the salon loo before paying - less awkward than handing over cash. I think it's more important to tip the juniors who wash your hair as they get paid peanuts - I usually give them £2/3 depending on how nice/chatty they've been, whether they've poured water down my neck and the quality of their scalp massage. I ask their name before they start washing my hair and write it on the envelope.

I think if you've had the same hairdresser for a while, you could just say "I'm sorry, I can't afford to tip you this time". Maybe offer to recommend him to friends instead? I've sent so many friends to my hairdresser that she now gives me a discount that more than cancels out the tip I give her - win/win!

Sometimes I tip and other times I do not.

I try not to get hung up about it. I think it is optional?

Like to keep em guessing

Rarely tip haridressers (and now don't tip taxi drivers either) - sometimes tip in restaurants, but only rounding up

I've just been overcharged for my eyebrows so, I certainly won't be tipping this week. I think I will have to get my £50 note reserved for my hair broken up before I go there. Of course, if he's been promoted again, I will faint at the till!

I always tip both stylist and junior. Getting a wash and blow dry is bloody expensive!

I don't tip the hairdresser, can't afford to But I do agree it is a little awkward when they hang around at the till then there's the 'would you like to re-book' question which I tend to get out of too! But then again I don't stick with the same hairdresser as i'm fussy

OrenIshi - hilarious link! I always feel obligated to overtip hairdressers even if I'm leaving the salon with tears in my eyes, convincing myself that I can correct their mistakes with my nail scissors after a few glasses of vino.

They earn enough! £50 to get your hair cut, an hours work at the most.

I appreciate the salon keeps the bulk but its more than enough, how they split the dosh is up to them.

I think someone else said that they would prefer to see you regulatly than get a tip. I agree they negotiate salary based on client list.

Its an outdated tradition that keeps going because we feel embarassed. We should all boycott tipping hairdressers. Gifts for teachers (35k +per year) taxi drivers....i could go on...