# How much do you tip at a spa? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2004, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-tip-at-a-spa/229789 "2004-02-18T14:20:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-tip-at-a-spa/229789/1 "2004-02-18T14:20:52Z")
It’s Mrs. Dante’s birthday today (song was sung, royalties were paid), and as a gift, I gave her a 1/2 day spa treatment. Manicure, pedicure, 1 hour massage, and a mud wrap. She’s gone to this spa before, and they have a little sign that says something to the effect of _“If you would like to tip our staff, please use one of these little envelopes and give it to the receptionist with your name”_, but more subtle. My question is, is there a set percentage for tipping at a spa, as there is for restaurants? The last time she went, she tipped $50, which I figure is about right, but I’m interested in the Doper Opinion. FYI, the spa day costs about $250. Opinions from those in the spa, salon, and beauty fields are appreciated. Your tip is with the receptionist. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-tip-at-a-spa/229789/2 "2004-02-18T16:24:21Z")
I think your wife is radically over-tipping. Tipping at the spa is not like tipping a server at a restaurant. Spa employees make quite a bit more than the regular hourly minimum wage. They aren’t dependent on tips for a “living wage.” Also, at many spas, the aestheticians get a cut of the price of every treatment. I never tip less than $5 and rarely more than 10%. And I know for a fact that I am considered a good tipper at my spa. At spas, it’s a courtesy to show appreciation for a good job. It’s not a requirement like it is w/ waitstaff. Etiquette tip: never, ever tip the owner of a spa, if they are the one who gives you the treatment. That is apparently Bad Form. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-tip-at-a-spa/229789/3 "2004-02-18T16:29:27Z")
Man! I tip the girl that does my hair, and she owns the salon (and has no other employees). Now am I going to be a big dork if I stop tipping her?