How much should I tip the hairdresser?

Come on, folks, lets calm down a little bit :D

Tipping is always a contentious subject. Whether you tip or not is a matter of personal choice but most people do not know the financial set-up of the types of work where tipping is the norm.

For instance, did you know that a hairdresser who is on PAYE is normally assessed by the taxman for tax on tips? The hairdresser's code number is adjusted for it and most of them, and their employers, don't realise it (they should do if they looked closer at things). This doesn't happen in all tax districts as some taxmen don't get around to it. Self-employed hairdressers are usually asked about tips for their tax returns.

Having been involved in a number of service industries all my life and a hairdresser for over 50 years I have gathered some knowledge of the situation.

Going back to the original question:
Most hairdressers' income depends upon receiving tips but the amount is not set and not expected. The cost of the service should not be the main factor in deciding how much to tip.
What you should take into account is:-
how long did it take?
were you happy with the result?
was the hairdresser pleasant/friendly/amusing etc?

Val, for the price you are going to pay I guess you will be having your hair washed, cut and dried. The time taken for that would normally warrant about a £2 tip. This sum you can adjust depending on the person, service and result. If you didn't like the result, say so (pleasantly) and don't tip. If you liked the result but the service you received wasn't particularly good then don't give more than the £2. If the result was good and you enjoyed being there then tip more if you can afford it. £3 would be happily received.

More would be even more happily received but be wary of tipping too much as it is difficult another time to tip less when you can't afford it. If you can't afford to tip much then never be concerned about it. Although tips help the hairdresser's circumstances, being a friendly and appreciative client is more important - we all like to feel appreciated. You don't have to say anything but there's nothing wrong in saying that you are really happy with your hair but can't afford to tip more - but I would be inclined to tip what you fell is right and say what you feel is right.

I'm always happy to go into more details about how tips work in different salons and why you should tip, or not, as the case may be.

Many people have the wrong idea about business owners and think that they must all be coining it in. This is true for some but not for most. 50% of small businesses that start up (this includes hairdressers) don't survive longer than 18 months and another 20% don't survive 3 years. Over 200,000 businesses went bust in 2009 (the last year that official figures are available - Office For National Statistics).

Setting up and running a business is a lot more difficult than people think - just ask some of the professional gardeners on here - and running a shop is a nightmare.

 

Hi Jack,

Good for you

When I said that tipping was a highly contentious subject, the most contentious situation is on cruise ships (I used to work on them). Different cruise lines have different rules. A few of the more upmarket lines don't have tipping but have included it in the cost. Most of the larger cruise lines (mainly American) either charge you up front for it or put the tips on to your daily on board account - with the majority charging between $10 and $16 a day. On top of that they now charge 15%-18% on all your bar bills. P & O, Fred Olsen and Thomsons which are based in the UK charge less and the tips are not put on your bill automatically.

On most of the lines the crew get paid no more than $50 per week and the tips are considered to be part of their wages. The Americans, living in a tipping culture, pay these tips without question and usually give individual tips on top of it. Other countries have problems with it. It is mainly because the cruise lines call them gratuities and then make it compulsory to pay it. Some of the lines allow you to remove the tips from your account but give you a very hard time doing it - and tell all the crew that you have done so.

It can be interesting looking on some of the cruise forums. Cruisecritic.com is the largest forum and based in the USA but cruise.co.uk is the best forum and based in the UK. You'll soon see some of the tipping arguments on those.

The reason the big American lines add the tips afterwards is because it makes the price of the cruise look a lot cheaper. Some of the more upmarket lines seem extremely expensive but usually include tips, booze, excursions etc so are not quite so expensive - particularly if you are able to get one of their special deals.

I used to give advice on one of the forums and Mrs shiney and I have been lucky enough to be invited to some pre-launch press and travel trade freebies when some new ships have been launched.