Tipping hairdressers

[SparkyG]

Hi all

I have been going to a trendy and quite pricey hairdressers for a while. Over the years I have had different stylists who I have always tipped. I have been aware of the owner, (who works there), and who is very much 'in control', but have never had her cut my hair. She charges a lot more than the other stylists.

Well, today I took the plunge, and LOVED the way she did my hair:j . I didn't tip her, as I seem to think in the dim and distant past being told that it is not etiquette to tip the owner:confused: . I want to go back to her, but am not sure what to do in future.

Help!:eek: I want to do the right thing.

[savingsara]

Hi SparkyG,
Well if you've done the wrong thing by not tipping the owner then you're in good company, because that is what I was told as well (my late Dad was quite "up" on those sort of things).

I always find it difficult as I have my hair trimmed every couple of months by the co-owner, who sometimes washes it himself or sometimes gets one of the other stylists to do it. Every four months I have high-lights done. He always used to do all the pulling through, mixing/applying etc even making me a cuppa. Then trim after. Now it is quite often one of the other stylists who does everything but the trim!

The charge seems to be the same regardless!! If I've got a couple of £1 coins I usually put them in one or other of the charity boxes, for all I know they've got false bottoms and the staff get it anyway :rotfl:

[TomsMom]

I personally don't think it matters whether it's the owner or not, if you are happy with the service and think it deserves a tip then tip away! In the past I believe it was the thing to not tip owners, whatever the business, but I think that's a bit old-fashioned now.

We own a restaurant, a small family business, and employ no staff front of house but do in the kitchen. If no-one tipped the owners (i.e. us) then there would be nothing to share with the kitchen staff whose input is just as important as ours.

We never expect tips as a right (and don't add a service charge) but it's always appreciated when we receive them from people who have been happy with our food and service, and most people know we are the owners.

[lolly5648]

I have a friend who owns a salon. She does not expect a tip as she sets the prices which take into account overheads etc. She charges a couple of pounds more than the senior stylists for her services. I always give the shampooer £1 or £2 if I have had a colour and she gives me a head massage.