To tip, or not to tip? that is the question...

Also the bin men refuse operatives, the milk man, the window cleaner, get £5 at Christmas .... who have I forgotten?

I assume paperboys/girls are on a very small wage and I have no qualms about tipping them - after all, it's only once a year. I put a fiver in an envelope and give it to the newsagent to give to the delivery girl. I was told that all tips received are divided between all the young deliverers. I'm happy about that

My daughter teaches hairdressing and also has a small home salon so she can work at home for 2 days a week. She has a sign on her salon wall, which she encourages others to adopt in their salons. 'Please do not tip me. I charge a realistic amount and want you to come back with your friends.' It has created lots of discussion, especially amongst other salon owners who have increased their less well paid staff's wages, instead of relying on tips to bump their wages up. Customers say they prefer to pay the stated amount, and like the openness about what hairdressers get paid.

I'm glad this has come up. How much do you tip the paper boy/ girl ? I have them delivered Sat + Sun.

My hairdresser is a friend, and the owner of the salon, so I don't tip her but, as she comes round for supper quite often, it would feel very odd if I did - maybe I'd find a tip under her plate when we cleared up after a meal. I tip the shampooer a couple of pounds.

At Christmas I tip the postlady who will sign for deliveries if we are not here and I tip the paper boy and girl. I tip the window cleaner if her turns up near Christmas (strangely he usually does!) and buy my wonderful cleaner a present. I DO NOT tip the rubbish collectors but might if they put the flipping wheelie bins back where they found them!!!

I always tip in restaurants but some of my girlfriends don't which makes it difficult and confusing.

Barrow I am with you with regard to the owner of the Salon,I can't understand why when I go for trim it will cost £25.00 if done by the owner (chief Stylist) or £15.00 if done by the 2nd stylist its not as though they have to style my hair only ever has 1/2ins taken off the length a cut straight across as it is very long so no problem getting it right first time.I never tip the owner but always tip the other girl and the shampoo girl.
I never tip taxi drivers and don't tip in restaurants if it shows service charge on the bill,do you know you can legally ask for the service charge to be removed from a bill if the management did not make you aware it was included in their billing procedure one lady I know had it removed by a restaurant near here to the amusement of other diners.

I always tip my hairdresser about 10% and restaurants (depending on the service) beauticians, etc.

None of these earn huge amounts and often rely on tips to supplement their earnings. I can remember as a student being thrilled when I earned a good tip and how much it helped stretch put my merge grant.

I don't tip unless I've had exceptional service.

I usually tip my hairdresser around 10%, unless the hairdresser actually owns the salon I'm not sure they are on a good salary. In restaurants if there is a service charge added to the bill, I don't tip, if the waiter/waitress hasn't been very good, I don't tip. Taxi drivers I tip if they have been helpful (putting bags into car etc.). The ones that just sit there and wait until I have done it myself can go whistle!

I don't feel embarrassed after all, nobody ever felt they had to give me a tip when I was working!

Unless times have changed, I don't think hairdressers are well paid. Without tips they would struggle. Of course life would be better if everyone earned a decent wage and didn't expect tips, it is an awkward situation.
When I was a child I did a newspaper round in a posh area of North Oxford and didn't get a single tip. My brother delivered in a run-down council estate and received a gift from most households. It is usually those who have little who are generous at Christmas.
I am soon off to my village Post Office to give them the cookies I have made for them. They are so obliging and helpful with my numerous ebay deliveries. They say I am helping to keep them in business!

I used to tip taxi drivers, but as it went on my expenses it didn't matter!

I don't tip my hairdresser, we have become friends and it doesn't seem appropriate somehow.

Yes Goose exactly the same and I despise myself. My children don't tip anybody so maybe it's a generation thing which will die out.

I always tip my hairdresser over ten percent and a quid sometimes to the young woman who shampoos my hair.

I do it because I would feel embarrassed if I didn't. Ditto restaurants and taxis.