# say you're my babysitter and I offer you... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 22, 2000, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270 "2000-04-22T01:28:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![timmar68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/1 "2000-04-22T01:28:00Z")
I have a new babysitter for Greg this summer. All I can really afford to pay her is $1.50 an hour. Now, keep in mind that she told me I can pay her anything I want to. I feel that that isn’t enough, though. That’s only $12 a day, $9 every other Saturday. So here’s what I was thinking- I thought I’d offer her free hair service (cuts, colors, perms, whatever) and a free bottle of shampoo and such when she needs it to go along with the money. What do you think? Would she be insulted? Would you accept that as payment? * * * MaryAnn I’m into superstition, black cats, and voodoo dolls (\<—written in case Ricky reads this board) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/2 "2000-04-22T01:34:00Z")
Question #1: how old is the sitter? Question #2: How do you know the sitter? Friend? Newspaper? Woman holding a cardboard sign by the underpass? * * * “I guess one person can make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.” ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/3 "2000-04-22T01:51:00Z")
Unless she is seriously not into her looks, she should be tickled pink. It’s called barter and is a legitimate method of doing business. * * * I do not merely dance. I bewitch. I seduce. I enchant and I bewilder. Throw money. (Gee, Wally must have seen me dance!) ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/4 "2000-04-22T01:54:00Z")
I think it’s a helluva deal. Back in my babysitting days (I’m assuming this is a teenager?) I would’ve been very pleased with it. * * * Drink up, dear. I made it just for you. _sig by_ **WallyM7** ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/5 "2000-04-22T01:58:00Z")
I was a licensed day care provider, supporting my kids and I would have taken it in a minute. It’s tough to afford to be good to yourself and this is a perfect “excuse”. Providing she can afford basic necessities, I’d say “Go for it”. * * * Always remember that you are unique, just like everybody else. MIPSIMS : where we put the fun back in dysfunctional. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/6 "2000-04-22T02:00:00Z")
See? Now, I would have been somehwat insulted – but then, I’m a male and get the $11.00 haircut at Bob’s Discount Barbers every 3rd month or whatever. I see the female population views this much differently 🙂 * * * “I guess one person can make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.” ---
**Author:** ![abderian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@abderian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abderian)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/7 "2000-04-22T02:15:00Z")
Assuming this is a female teenager, I’d say definitely go for it. As long as everything is agreed upon and understood up front, it should be a good deal for both of you. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/8 "2000-04-22T02:18:00Z")
Depends on her age. If she’s youngish, and this is disposable income, definately a good deal. If she’s older, and she is depending on summer work to pay for, say her books in the upcoming year, I’d say no. * * * A little persistance goes a long way. Announcing: “I go on guilt trips a couple of time a year. Mom books them for me.” A custom made Wally .sig! ---
**Author:** ![strike300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@strike300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/strike300)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/9 "2000-04-22T02:42:00Z")
I had to comment here… I thought this was totally nuts at first till I read your profile and saw that you are a hairstylist. Go for it. She probably can’t afford to do that sort of thing if she’s a teen who’s only income is from babysitting. When I was a teenager, I knew a lady who was a hairstylist and I used to cut her grass for free haircuts, which involved about 5 minutes with a set of electric clippers. It saved me about $10 a month at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/10 "2000-04-22T04:19:00Z")
Move to Michigan. Set up shop by me. I babysit Greg for $10 a day.That’s a two dollar a day savings! At that rate, you can retire at 95! I’ll do just about anything for a free haircut, except cut my own. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/11 "2000-04-22T04:21:00Z")
Back to reality here, I would offer it to her. Especially if you throw in buzz words like, " I’ll do an up-do for _prom_ for you." What I wouldn’t give to be able to have great hair in high school ( She is a teenager and a she, isn’t she?) ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/12 "2000-04-22T05:21:00Z")
Sounds like an excellent deal to me. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2000, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/13 "2000-04-23T05:23:00Z")
You’re entering into a contract here. Spell out in some detail with her what you mean by “hair service” and “when she needs it.” Is that one cut a month? A perm and a weekly trim? A dye job and weekly touch-ups? All of the above? Could she be in your shop on a daily basis if she felt like she needed it? How often may she have shampoo? is that any brand in the store, even the expensive brand? Better to spell it out now so that both of you have clear expectations rather than drama later. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2000, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/14 "2000-04-23T05:44:00Z")
I’m impressed that you realize that she’s providing a valuable service, and that $1.50/hr. isn’t much compensation. Your offer of a valuable service in return is generous, and would probably be appreciated. Go ahead and talk to her about it. Nothing to be embarrased about. Peace, mangeorge * * * Teach your kids to bungee jump. One them might have to cross a bridge someday. ---
**Author:** ![Bucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Bucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bucky)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/15 "2000-04-22T18:34:00Z")
What, you wouldn’t just play drinking games in a hot-tub with her? Bucky ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/16 "2000-04-22T18:35:00Z")
I say that is a great deal for her any way you look at it. A perm costs me $85 every 4 or 5 months. A haircut is $30. I don’t color so I don’t know about that. But geesh, I would go for it in a heartbeat. How nice of you to compensate her that way. She would definitely accept. * * * \*\* _Sigh_. So many men, so few who can afford me \*\* _Original by Wally_ _I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it._ Homepage: [www.superlativeandsassy.com](http://www.superlativeandsassy.com) Occupation: Temptress Location: Ultra, California Interests: surpluses, excesses, abundances, extras, lagniappes _profile by UncleBeer_ ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/17 "2000-04-22T22:52:00Z")
How old is the kid & how old is the sitter? Are they close in age? Well that would solve it. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2000, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/18 "2000-04-22T23:12:00Z")
> [@](#): > > What, you wouldn’t just play drinking games in a hot-tub with her? I tried this with the baby sitter. Didn’t turn out too well. Ooops, gotta go, they’re taking roll call in my cell block. 🙂 * * * Cecil said it. I believe it. That settles it. * * * Relax, I’m not as Dave as I look!- A Wallified sig! ---
**Author:** ![timmar68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2000, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/19 "2000-04-23T01:29:00Z")
Here’s the scoop-it’s a “she” and she’s 16. And she’s a really good friend of my brother. I intend to discuss the guidelines like Otto suggested. When I was 16 I had to pay for my own hair services and would have killed for the chance I’m giving her! Thanks for the suggestions, folks! I’d like to hear from more before this Saturday, when I will give her that offer. * * * MaryAnn I’m into superstition, black cats, and voodoo dolls (\<—written in case Ricky reads this board) ---
**Author:** ![Amazingrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Amazingrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazingrace)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2000, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270/20 "2000-04-23T02:14:00Z")
As a 15 year old girl who babysits quasi-frequently, I have to say I would take the deal. I do agree with Portwest and Otto, you should probably spell out the exact details of the agreement. Tell us how the deal works out 🙂 * * * The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious ~Albert Einstein [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-youre-my-babysitter-and-i-offer-you/16270.md?page=2)