Tipping

[clairelb]

Eash's question about tipping hairdressers got me thinking.

If you work in the service industry, is there an amount of tip left that you would deem to be 'insulting'? I've heard that the minimum 'norm' in the US is 10% however, tipping 10% on an �80 haircut seems way too much for me, to be honest even tipping 5% on this would be a bit of a push.

Is it better (in the UK) to not be tipped than to be tipped a measley amount? And finally, do you expect to be tipped or do most sectors generally still accept that tipping is still completely optional?

[smurfchops]

I had my hair done last week, cut and colour, cost �85. How much do you think I should have tipped - and should I have tipped the shampoo girl as well ??

[clairelb]

This is what's made me ask this. Eash's question a few posts down asks the very question you are. If 10% is too high for such a service, is there a limit that the person receiving the tip would think is 'too low' and therefore insulting?

An additional question to people who receive tips. Does the fact you may receive a tip really affect the service you give?

[joko]

i get annoyed when people expect big tips as a matter of course - people like taxi drivers, pizza deliveries, waiters etc

tips are supposed to be a reward, when you are very happy with your service, not just expected automatically

people say "but their wages are rubbish and thats how they make it worth while" - how is that my fault??

Why should it be our responsibility to supplement the wages of other people? it is the bosses responsibility to ensure their staff are paid fairly, and they get away with not doing by relying on generous customers to take up their slack.

you are usually overcharged any way by drivers and then expected to give extra - i personally like it when they get visibly angry because you don't give a tip and when they start hesitating with your change, waiting for you to say " keep the change".

there are times in my life when i am flush and can afford to give tips if i feel it is deserved - like they have helped with my luggage or something, but other times i have been pretty skint, yet i am still expected to give what little i have to make up for what little they have.

i think it should go back to being a reward for doing a really good job - not just expected, and even in some cases actually demanded by adding it on your bill!

...don't get me started on service charges added on your bill!

[lady_p_gold]

When I have my hair cut and coloured I usually tip her �5 I think that is fair, I don't tip the shampoo girl.

[waimarie]

A couple of years ago I was confined to a wheel chair for several months. In order to get out of the house this meant phoning for a taxi of suitable size for the wheel chair. On every occasion the taxi drivers could not have been more helpful, even to carrying shopping down a longish drive. I was more than happy to offer a tip for this cheerful service but, on several occasions this was politely refused with best wishes offered for a speedy recovery.

Never having had to rely on the good will of others before, I was somewhat taken aback at the spontaneous kindness of people in everyday situations.

This may not have very much to do with the question but it did make me think very hard about rewarding personal services in general.

One person I always tip at Christmas time is our postman. We are lucky enough to have a regular one and he is a sort of comfort for many older people who rely on him for a chat and keeping an eye out for them

[waimarie]

Got cut off there !!!! I was finishing up to say, I do this because I appreciate what he does, day in and day out, in all weathers. That's worth a tip

[Greedyfly]

The only people I tip are taxi drivers when they help me with my shopping they get about �1.00 - �2.00 and waiters/waitresses as long as the service was good again they get abut the same but from each person they served. As for my hairdresser shes good but the amount I pay for my hair well I dont think it justfies a tip unless they get my appointment in super fast.

[claire85]

My friend works in Pizza Hut and earns up to �60 in tips per day!! That's more than she gets in wages. Obviously she's my friend, so that's great for her, but isn't waiting on tables what she's already paid to do? It should be expected of them to give friendly, polite service!