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

Conni and Goose you are both spot on! I hate tipping too and would much rather pay the proper price for whatever it is. It is totally illogical that taxi drivers expect a tip but bus drivers don't, even when they are kind enough to wait for a running GN-er who is charging up to the bus stop. Would a GN campaign help?

There is a difference between tipping for a job well done and tipping because you think it is expected. It is the expected bit that makes me feel uncomfortable but is it me who thinks they expect it or do they?

If you think your hairdressers are on a low wage things will never change if you continueing supporting the boss by giving tips to make up the wages of her staff. Also as this is Gransnet many of us are on much lower wages than we expected due to reduced Pensions.

wheniwasyourage I'm new to this site (wish I'd found it years ago) and don't really know how GN campaigns work but the idea sounds magnificent! The whole tipping question certainly seems to have opened a can of worms - there seems to be a lot of different perspectives towards it

ajanela I agree with your sentiments on things never changing whilst tipping continues as a substitute for propping up poor wages

Just a thought - do men tip their hairdressers/barbers???

Just asked DH and he says yes he tips the barber but not a huge amount.

I have worked since 1962 and nobody has ever tipped me!

But then I am not a taxi driver, waitress or a hairdresser.
Why should they be any different? We all do a job of work!

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I'm afraid I've got mean about tipping hairdressers. I use a small salon and its the owner who does my hair. I used to tip but the last time the price went up, I decided that was it, and used my previous tip to accommodate the new price. It doesn't stop me feeling guilty every time I go though!

I don't tip my barber, nor do I tip Taxi drivers, mainly because charges vary from day to day. I do tip in restaurants if the service is very good and in hotels again if the service is very good.

Always tip the Cabbie , but never hotels , except in Mauritius where the service is exceptionally high .

Also they are on low wages .

We always tip in restaurants, etc., if the service is good, but never have service added to the bill. If service bad, no tip. At my hairdressers, I give Lottie a tip but I know she will share this with the girl who shampoos, too. They do a very good job and are always cheerful.
This year we will give postman a bottle of wine (he loves the vino) as he is so helpful and friendly, popping in to see how the work is going on the new build, etc. Dustmen have been marvellous, take everything we leave out (which, with the new work has been quite a bit!), so they will get a Christmas box, too. We also have a very cheery coalman, so DH has stated he will be giving him something extra next week. It's lovely to have your efforts recognised, and we do genuinely appreciate all their extra work.

I always tip my hairdresser. I have my colour done and a cut every 2 months or so. I don't give 10% though. Just a couple of quid to the girl who does my colour and a couple of quid to the cutter. Usually £1 to the girl who shampoos as she gives me a lovely head massage when she puts the conditioner on.
As for the postman, he's great, very cheerful and chatty (all year round, not just at Christmas). He always leaves parcels for us if we are not in, saving us a round trip of 8 miles to the sorting office. This year we gave him £20.

I used to go to the college to have my hair done, the students need models and you get it done for less than half price so giving a tip is a lot easier on the purse

You can get a good hairdo that way, boatlady and their beauty departments can also provide a lovely manicure and/or pedicure. I think you can get a massage too, from some of their classes. Cut price luxury!