# Tipping at Salons

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [September 11, 2001, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914 "2001-09-11T20:59:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Neil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/839c29/32.png) [@Neil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neil)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2001, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914/1 "2001-09-11T20:59:55Z")

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I used to go to the local barber whenever I needed a haircut. Now, I’m at college, and the only place within walking distance that I can go is a salon/tanning sort of place. I’m starting to get a bit shaggy, so I was thinking that I should get a trim. I’ve never been to this sort of place since I was a small child. Am I supposed to tip? Do I give a tip to the employee who worked with me and then pay up front? I’m pretty sure we have a couple of people on the boards who’ve worked in salons before.

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### Author: ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2001, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914/2 "2001-09-19T01:03:22Z")

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Bumping this in case **Neil** still wants an answer.

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### Author: ![PlanMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PlanMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlanMan)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914/3 "2001-09-19T01:29:10Z")

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I go to different outlets of various chain haircut places - depending on where I am around town, and who can see me quickly - time is something I dnn’t want to spend waiting for a haircut. Anyway, I usually give a buck or two, depending on my wallet, and how well I was treated.

Only problem, I’ve heard you don’t tip the owner or manager. Since in these places all the cutters look alike (the manager ain’t wearing a different color smock), I know I have violated this rule. Or is it still a rule?

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### Author: ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2001, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914/4 "2001-09-19T01:30:24Z")

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I generally tip a total of 20% or so for salon services. If the person who shampoos is different than the one who cuts, I give the shampooer (is that a word) about $2 and give the rest to the stylist. I give the tip in cash directly to the person, unless there is a place up front with envelopes that I can drop it in.

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### Author: ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2001, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914/5 "2001-09-19T02:27:01Z")

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I give 15% to the stylist and $1 or so to the shampoo girl. I always make sure to give it to them in person, although sometimes I get weird looks from the shampoo girls because their hands are wet when they take the dollar from me.

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### Author: ![Shera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Shera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shera)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-at-salons/80914/6 "2001-09-19T22:44:35Z")

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When I was a nanny it was my job to take the kids for haircuts. I usually tipped about $5.00 a head. I gave the tip directly to the stylist.
