Hair dresser tipping

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for about fifteen years. She has always rented her own space as an independent stylist. So she’s the owner basically and all the money goes to her, as well as the expenses for renting her little closet sized space. So recently my husband was DOGE’d and we lost 2/3rds of our income. I went to have my hair done and when it came time to pay I apologized and said I couldn’t tip for the time being as we are really in a bind. (Yes i still have to have my hair done for my job to look presentable). Anyway, I always figured that I was being very generous by tipping an independent contractor anyway. But she seemed kind of taken aback …. Thoughts? Do you tip salon owners?

That's like saying yeah we have eat so we go out but don't tip our waiter for their service! GTFO!

Yup.

They should pick a better job amiright?! Meanwhile folks are starting threads on gig work possibilities….my eyes hurt from the rolling.

People will twist things as tightly and wildly as possible to not feel uncomfortable about their choices. Choosing not to tip is ok. Deal with how you feel about it and be less self indulgent when sharing that with your stylist. She’s not being inappropriate in having tipping as an option, you can choose differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just have a conversation with her! Tell her what's going on and ask if she'd rather you come less often but tip the usual amount, or come with the same frequency but tip less, or what. Don't freaking surprise her at the end like this, though - that's terrible.

Exactly. Use your grown up words and don’t make yourself out to be a victim. She can help guide you here. It’s working relationship you’ve established.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These small business situations, like Sola Salon, are really not the same as someone owning a salon with multiple stylists. They have to pay rent, equipment, utilities, insurance, etc, but they don’t have other employees working for them. I absolutely tip my stylist who has her own little business at Sola Salon just like I did when she worked at a bigger salon.

I would imagine that service related business are feeling the affect of all the layoffs and people are probably canceling or going less often. That said, I think you did the right thing by explaining your situation, and it’s definitely different than stiffing a restaurant server or hairdresser in a regular salon.

Real question. Do stylists at Sola Salons set their own prices or are they managed by someone?

[Anonymous]

To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for about fifteen years. She has always rented her own space as an independent stylist. So she’s the owner basically and all the money goes to her, as well as the expenses for renting her little closet sized space. So recently my husband was DOGE’d and we lost 2/3rds of our income. I went to have my hair done and when it came time to pay I apologized and said I couldn’t tip for the time being as we are really in a bind. (Yes i still have to have my hair done for my job to look presentable). Anyway, I always figured that I was being very generous by tipping an independent contractor anyway. But she seemed kind of taken aback …. Thoughts? Do you tip salon owners?

That's like saying yeah we have eat so we go out but don't tip our waiter for their service! GTFO!

Yup.

They should pick a better job amiright?! Meanwhile folks are starting threads on gig work possibilities….my eyes hurt from the rolling.

People will twist things as tightly and wildly as possible to not feel uncomfortable about their choices. Choosing not to tip is ok. Deal with how you feel about it and be less self indulgent when sharing that with your stylist. She’s not being inappropriate in having tipping as an option, you can choose differently.

So, let me get this straight. You're rolling your eyes at the OP who is trying to look presentable since she is the sole breadwinner now AND you're rolling your eyes at out of work people looking for gig jobs. Let them eat cake much?

[Anonymous]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/longer-hair-nails-home-fewer-facials-economic-warning-signs-are-flashi-rcna201807?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=NBC%20News&utm_medium=social&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAAwXB2w6CIAAA0L%2FpMbV0tTbXxNSYszWzi74wUURSQZFF9dC3d06r1DjvDIPjihM9L8txXPaMd4ZYH3Ka1yq54H2Dq57VLtTFozUxPbXF3fSTLPC81EmiHjYWq2P7dQSRhXj4rKJk3EwxLSET8ozo1QeXduAO%2FAS3rw1WoVD2dgIeKsmAdA7s6HlVGfRS%2F9Wv35mWtV78JGmIlIxThKXQM5FuWFYEC9H9AQzLhN%2BzAAAA&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5MGlIf1idK4vHBG1_nFjcGMp7qKgaIiorP_gUCBShmn5IyEVz4B2Fot48qBA_aem_wYB4GjUtTIARCvl3xTwrdw&_branch_match_id=1443295583359583558

A timely article about salons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for about fifteen years. She has always rented her own space as an independent stylist. So she’s the owner basically and all the money goes to her, as well as the expenses for renting her little closet sized space. So recently my husband was DOGE’d and we lost 2/3rds of our income. I went to have my hair done and when it came time to pay I apologized and said I couldn’t tip for the time being as we are really in a bind. (Yes i still have to have my hair done for my job to look presentable). Anyway, I always figured that I was being very generous by tipping an independent contractor anyway. But she seemed kind of taken aback …. Thoughts? Do you tip salon owners?

That's like saying yeah we have eat so we go out but don't tip our waiter for their service! GTFO!

Yup.

They should pick a better job amiright?! Meanwhile folks are starting threads on gig work possibilities….my eyes hurt from the rolling.

People will twist things as tightly and wildly as possible to not feel uncomfortable about their choices. Choosing not to tip is ok. Deal with how you feel about it and be less self indulgent when sharing that with your stylist. She’s not being inappropriate in having tipping as an option, you can choose differently.

So, let me get this straight. You're rolling your eyes at the OP who is trying to look presentable since she is the sole breadwinner now AND you're rolling your eyes at out of work people looking for gig jobs. Let them eat cake much?

No. The op wants special treatment from a service industry gig worker because her own life is now less cushy.

She didn’t need to say anything about the tipping or her spouses job at all. She put the stylist in the spot. She could have said I’ll get you next time even.

Later in this thread someone was ugly about service industry jobs being poor choices, yet that’s what folks are looking for as interim jobs. So essentially those jobs are below them until they need them. It’s tacky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

The op was over the top and justifying it. She said too much in the moment and made it weird. I venture to guess most of the awkwardness was due to her own feelings about. She over thought it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

lol. Yeah. I cant afford a $25 tip but the $175 service is entirely doable and totally within my current limited strained budget 🤡👍

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20%, no exceptions.

if you like your hair dresser, then tip more. this is your hair you are cheaping out on!

Exactly, it will grow back. I don't think it's that big of a deal. We're headed toward a terrible economy and she's going to lose customers anyway. She should be grateful to have reliable patronage. If she did that to me, I'd never return.

My cleaning service just raised their rate and I discussed cutting them from the budget with DH. We both lost our jobs. We decided if we don't find anything in 2 months, we will cut that line item. Point is, you are not in a unique situation.

That said, I'd to a little tip, like 5%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

That’s what you took from the stylists post!? Just the last two sentences?

Her business is down, she’s renting space, working on commission, no benefits and even though she’s an independent contractor she doesn’t set her own prices.

Her profession has traditionally been one of commission and tips is part of her income. Whether or not the tipping phenomenon in the US is fair or not is irrelevant. Most everyone, and especially older people who use salons, knows that tips are paid to a stylist. OP knows it too which is why this thread even started.

To the stylist, thank you for contributing your experience and how the industry works for you. Best wishes to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

lol. Yeah. I cant afford a $25 tip but the $175 service is entirely doable and totally within my current limited strained budget 🤡👍

Hey dum dum, you realize that a $25 tip on a $175 service is 14%? If that's all that is expected then sign me up. People in the tipping industry are expecting 20-25% nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

lol. Yeah. I cant afford a $25 tip but the $175 service is entirely doable and totally within my current limited strained budget 🤡👍

Hey dum dum, you realize that a $25 tip on a $175 service is 14%? If that's all that is expected then sign me up. People in the tipping industry are expecting 20-25% nowadays.

You’re nice. Yes. I intentionally lowballed it. The petty folks that are digging into this can now feel vindicated in their habits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the person asking about things being affect by layoffs. yes we are. Absolutely. Businesses down about 50% and doesn’t really feel like a great time to raise prices to make up for that difference.We’ve also had to adjust hours as clients feel less secure taking time off during the day for services. I’m at work later and more in weekends than ever and seeing my family less. It’s stressful. Things will improve but it will take time. We took a huge hit during pandemic and were not quite up to pre COVID numbers. It’s challenging to work in services. You really are a bit at the whim of the market and since many of us are not employees, but 1099, renting space or working on commission, we pay all of our own benefits and don’t always have a say on setting prices. It’s a nice thing to think that we have more control on what we charge than we do. I could happily raise my prices with confidence in service- it’s not up to me - even though I’m an independent contractor. There is a price according to experience level which does help though.

Tips are great. I don’t expect them, but they really do make a difference when bookings are less prevalent.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

OP was fine to say "I want to tip, but I cannot afford to at this moment" and the stylist was wrong for rolling her eyes.

That’s what you took from the stylists post!? Just the last two sentences?

Her business is down, she’s renting space, working on commission, no benefits and even though she’s an independent contractor she doesn’t set her own prices.

Her profession has traditionally been one of commission and tips is part of her income. Whether or not the tipping phenomenon in the US is fair or not is irrelevant. Most everyone, and especially older people who use salons, knows that tips are paid to a stylist. OP knows it too which is why this thread even started.

To the stylist, thank you for contributing your experience and how the industry works for you. Best wishes to you.

Thank you for reading for comprehension rather than sport. Your empathy and compassion are appreciated. We’re hanging in there.